On April 30 celebrated naturalist, broadcaster, educator and writer, Briony Penn, was awarded the Roderick Haig-Brown Regional Prize for her book The Real Thing: The Natural History of Ian McTaggart Cowan at Government House in Victoria.
It’s fitting that one of her first appearances since winning the prize will be in Campbell River, the home of prize’s late namesake.
Local environmental non-profit organization, Greenways Land Trust, and the Campbell River Library will host Penn as she introduces her award-winning biography of the “father of Canadian ecology” to the North Island.
Authorized by Cowan’s family and with the research support and participation of the University of Victoria Libraries, Penn provides an unprecedented and accessible window into the story of this remarkable naturalist. From his formative years roaming the mountains around Vancouver looking for venison to his last years finishing the voluminous and authoritative Birds of British Columbia, Cowan’s life provides a unique perspective on a century of environmental change—with a critical message for the future.
The Campbell River launch of “The Real Thing” will be held on Thursday, May 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the Campbell River Library. This is a free event and everyone is welcome. Books will be for sale.
For more information contact Greenways on 250-287-3785 or email libby@greenwaystrust.ca.