CEI 2024 Symposium:
WILDERNESS,WILDLIFE & HUMAN INTERACTION

The theme of the Conference is "Wilderness, Wildlife and Human Interaction." It is set intentionally broad so all aspects of wilderness and human interaction (preserving our indigenous wildlife, economic, cultural, research, conservation past and present, alternative energy, the management of landscape domestic and wild, achievable goals) can be included. This Conference’s intention is also to explore new perspectives aimed at generating a Plan B; focused on examining and creating innovative methods of moving from current economic and environmental stalemate and conflict to a sustainable and a healthy planet. Only our imaginations set the limits!

SAVE THE DATE!

We have confirmed that our 2024 symposium will be on MARCH 2ND, 2024!

WHERE?

Our symposium will be hosted at the Bragg Creek Community Centre! (23 White Ave, Bragg Creek, AB T0L 0K0)

WHEN?

The time of our symposium will be 9:30am to 5:00pm!

confirmed speakers

CANDACE SAVAGE

Candace Savage was born in the Peace River Country of northern Alberta, in Treaty 8 territory. Many of her ancestors (her father’s father’s family and her mother’s mother's line) had left Western Europe for North America in colonial times because their lives and livelihoods were threatened by sectarian violence. Most of her people were farmers and their subsequent travels west and north across the continent were motivated by a hunger for opportunity and for land. This is a complex inheritance.

Candace is the award-winning author of more than two dozen books for adults and children, including Strangers in the House, A Geography of Blood and Prairie: a Natural History. A Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, she was inducted into the Honor Roll of the Rachel Carson Institute, Chatham College, Pittsburgh. She was recently awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal.

In addition to her work as a writer, Candace belongs to the Saskatoon Fiddle Orchestra, chairs Wild about Saskatoon, co-chairs the Northeast Swale Watchers, serves on advisory boards for CPAWS Saskatchewan and the Meewasin Valley Authority and is a member of the National Council of The Writers Union of Canada. She lives and writes in misaskwatôminihk, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, in Treaty Six territory and the homeland of the Metis.

MIKE JUDD

Mike was born and raised on the East slope of the Alberta Rockies in the Foothills west of Pincher Creek. His education includes book learning and accompanying old Mountain men on their travels. For much of his life, Mike has been a guide and outfitter involved in hunting, trail riding along the continental divide and dog sled tours in the winter.
Mike's reverence for nature has also led to many attempts to throw spanners in the wheels of progress and the relentless encroachment on our last remaining intact wilderness with occasional success! Currently he is one of the founding members of a new organization, the Foothills Bison Restoration Society and will be presenting their ideas for bringing Bison to some of our public Wild lands along the eastern slopes.
Mike is also a painter and will be showcasing some of his artwork at the symposium so stay tuned to see some of his work!

CODY CREELMAN

Cody Creelman is a renowned Veterinarian and the local owner of Fen Vet with locations in both Airdrie and Beltline. Fen Vet is a small business focused on exemplary animal care, impressive customer service and has certainly made waves in the field of Veterinary Medicine. FEN Vet is independently operated and treats patients of various kinds, from domesticated pets to several different livestock. Dr. Cody and his team have been our go-to vet for all of our wildlife care here at the CEI and we're honored to share Cody's perspective at our 2024 symposium. We know his insight into the veterinary world will provide a unique way of approaching the topic of human and wildlife interactions!

WES OLSON

Wes Olson was raised in the rugged foothills of Alberta’s Rocky Mountains. There, on family camping, hunting and fishing trips began a life-long association with wild places and wildlife that live in them. After working for more than 30 years with bison, Wes has developed an international reputation for his knowledge about both plains and wood bison. Wes has the unique ability to combine his extensive scientific knowledge about bison with his talents using graphite, water color, oil painting and mixed medium artwork to capture the buffalo and other wildlife in their natural environments.Wes has been a keynote speaker at conferences, seminars and naturalist groups across Canada and the United States and continues to give presentations about bison and the ecosystem roles they play, to any audience curious about bison. We are excited to offer his incredible knowledge and perspective at our Wilderness, Wildlife and Human Interaction Symposium!

GRAINNE McCABE

Dr. McCabe is a renowned researcher and anthropologist recently appointed as the Chief Conservation Officer at the Calgary Zoo/Wilder Institute. She brings her expertise from working with elephants and primates to her new role coordinating research for international programs dedicated to saving species at risk. Dr. McCabe recently joined the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Task Force on Biodiversity and Family Planning which is focused on removing barriers to family planning across the world; work that is linked to improved outcomes for women’s education, local economies, and conservation.