Alberta Biodiversity Festival

A shared commitment to provide Albertans with the knowledge, tools, and inspiration to think, plan, and act with Alberta’s fish, water, wildlife, and ecosystems in mind led to the inaugural Alberta Biodiversity Festival which took place in May 2022.

Developed through a partnership between the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo and the Ministry of Alberta Environment and Protected Areas, and their Inglewood facility Bow Habitat Station, the festival highlighted the rich biodiversity in our province and what can be done for these diverse ecosystems.

Conservation enthusiasts celebrated on Saturday, September 16th with the kick-off event at Bow Habitat Station, located in Calgary’s Inglewood area. This family-friendly event welcomed like-minded organizations who are leading the way in areas of land and water conservation, stewardship, and bird/mammal/fish biodiversity. Visitors of all ages dove into fish feeding, interactive games, and hands-on activities with 12 community exhibitors to inspire and nurture a sustainable human connection with Alberta’s unique biodiversity.

Then from September 22-24, audiences were inspired to learn, care and act for the flora and fauna in our provincial backyard and be primed for the three-day festival at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo. Visitors got the chance to dive deeper into some of the zoo’s conservation efforts to preserve Alberta’s species-at-risk, such as the burrowing owl and whooping crane.

By conserving, protecting, and revering our province’s precious biodiversity, Albertans can ensure that both wildlife and future generations can revel in it the benefits and enjoyment that its biodiversity provides. After all, it’s in our nature.