2006 Vivian Pharis

Infused with a love of wilderness as a child roaming her grandparents’ ranch, Vivian Pharis has spent much of her life relentlessly advocating for the preservation of natural places. After completing a BSc in botany and a BEd, she taught high school biology and art for ten years. She has been involved with AWA since the 1960s, participating in the development of the Eastern Slopes Policy, leading cleanup trips on horseback in the Bighorn, acting as AWA President, and being a Board member for almost two decades. In 1992, Vivian was recognized for her achievements by being named one of the Calgary Herald’s Women of Consequence. Her love of horses and dogs, her experience as a vineyard owner, her artistic pursuits, and her passion for nature are just some of the threads in the tapestry of Vivian’s diverse life.