June 22 10 a.m.
Highwood River, Kananaskis Country

Grab your sketchbook and join artist/author Carolyn Fisher and AWA conservation specialist Devon Earl to hike, draw, and document the Upper Highwood area, where West Fraser (formerly Spray Lake Sawmills) plans to clearcut 1,100 ha of mature forests.

Although Albertans have fought to preserve their natural spaces, unsustainable logging occurs throughout the Eastern Slopes in areas that are ecologically and recreationally important. The proposed Upper Highwood logging plan (by West Fraser Cochrane, formerly Spray Lakes Sawmills) is now temporarily paused thanks to Albertans like yourself who have spoken out in opposition of this plan. Despite the pause, the logging plans are likely to move forward next winter.

So grab your sketchbook or notebook and join artist/author Carolyn Fisher and AWA conservation specialist Devon Earl to hike for a few hours near Loomis Creek with frequent stops to sketch, write, and document. All ages and levels of experience welcome. No drawing experience necessary. Writers who don’t draw are also welcome. Kids must be accompanied by an adult.

Notebooks in hand, we’ll observe the way that the Highwood river connects the wildlife corridors of the valley; we’ll study the at-risk bull trout that makes its home in the Highwood river; and we’ll look at the ways that extractive industries disrupt the environment in Alberta wild spaces. We’ll jot our impressions, practice drawing and writing techniques, play creative games, and feed our imaginations while taking a wander through this beautiful landscape.

Award winning artist/author Carolyn Fisher has illustrated eight picture books, three of which she also wrote. Her most recent book, Summer Feet (with writer Sheree Fitch) won the David Booth Prize at the Canadian Children’s Book Awards. In addition to teaching at art college for seven years, Carolyn has talked to thousands of kids and adults about writing, art, and making books. She investigates science and nature by sketchbook from her home in Calgary. See more at www.carolynfisher.com or follow her on social media (Twitter: @carolynnfisher, or Instagram: @carolyn_fisher_illustration).

Devon Earl is a conservation specialist at AWA and leads AWA’s work on forests and forestry. She is passionate about sustainable forest management and protecting ecologically important areas from clearcut logging.

Details of the day and exact meeting location will be emailed to registered participants prior to the adventure.

Register below by donation.