Ian McTaggart Cowan (1910–2010), revolutionized the way North Americans understood the natural world and is known as the “father of Canadian ecology.” He was no stranger to the suppression of scientists or challenging pipelines, hydro projects, pesticides and industrial logging – all before most of us were even born. He pioneered nature television in its very earliest days and later hired David Suzuki. From his formative years roaming the mountains around Vancouver looking for venison to his last years co-editing 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.
Join author Briony Penn and guest curators, scientists and naturalists for an entertaining evening celebrating the life of this remarkable activist/scientist, naturalist and educator. Clips from his original TV shows will be played as well as readings from the book, The Real Thing: The Natural History of Ian McTaggart Cowan, recollections of his life and his thoughts on the future.
The Real Thing: The Natural History of Ian McTaggart Cowan, published by Rocky Mountain Books, will be in the bookstores end of October.
Saltspring book launch November 3rd at 7 p.m. at the Bateman Gallery, Artspring, Ganges
Vancouver book launch November 7th from 1:15 to 4:30 p.m. at the UBC Beaty Biodiversity Museum
Victoria book launch November 18th at 7 p.m. at the Royal BC Museum
Other book launches are on the book website cowantherealthing.com.
All proceeds of the book go to the McTaggart Cowan scholarships at UVic and other universities.
