Fire & Ice – The Art of Climate Change Engagement Series

Initiative Overview

Location:

Canadian Rockies

Duration:

1 year, 2018

Major Supporters:

Government of Canada New Horizons for Seniors, The Town of Canmore, Alpine Helicopters, Calgary United States Consulate, Banff Canmore Community Foundation

Through a series of engagement activities, nearly 400 community members in the Canadian Rocky Mountains learned about glaciers and wildfires in the context of climate change. In one of the activities, close to 250 seniors learned new knowledge about climate change risks from scientists (wildfire and water security through glacier melt), plus photography skills by a professional landscape photographer. Participants attended field trips focused on these themes to capture images and inspire essays which became part of an exhibition at the Canmore Public Library and Cave & Basin Historical Site that an estimated 70,000 people from around the world will view.

An evening dialogue event was also hosted featuring a keynote presentation from wildfire expert Dr. Toddi Steelman, Stanback Dean of the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University in conversation with Blackfoot knowledge-holder, Travis Plaited Hair from the Kainai First Nation. The conversation focused on how values shape decision-making when managing large wildfires that cross communities and cultures.

Photo by Gary Finley