Travel Adventures: Birds - A Prescription for Happiness with Chris Fisher

Join “Birds of Alberta” author Chris Fisher as he celebrates our province’s most loved birds. Their diverse beauty and ecological persistence has provided Albertans a vital, extra sense of wonder and meaning during these recent challenging times. Birds are our most accessible and authentic ties to the Natural world - and Alberta’s birds have never before been as meaningful and valued part of our lives. In this presentation, we will explore the many ways that birds and nature provide meaning and well-being to our lives and the science behind their good vibes.

For well over 20 years, Chris Fisher has been one of the most prominent voices for Alberta wildlife and conservation owing to his work in television, as a speaker and best—selling author. Since being published in 1998 “Birds of Alberta (co- authored with John Acorn) has been re-printed 14 times and has provided Chris with an extensive platform to share the natural wonders of our diverse bird community. To his great surprise, he has also had a unique insight as to how birds have informed the life and culture of Albertans. Chris often says that one the great takeaways from the success of writing “Birds of Alberta” was not that it led readers to identify something in their yards; it was that it led many to identify something in themselves.

Birds are the gateway into the natural world and into a greater awareness of conservation. They enter our lives in our backyards, city parks and wild places - making them all but impossible to ignore to those with an open spirit and sense of wonder. Over the last couple of years, what the naturalist community has known for years has spread to the public and science community as a whole - birds and nature contribute to our mental health. By connecting us with friends, family and community, by challenging us to achieve and grow and by instilling personal care by reducing our anxiety, contributing to revitalization and ultimately bringing us joy - birds simply improve our lives.