Wine & Wolves of the World: Part 1

A PRESENTATION PAIRING SCIENCE, ART, AND SPECIALTY WINE, SERVED WITH LIGHT APPETIZERS.

Join us for “Wine and Wolves of the World,” featuring Dr. Shelley Alexander, a leading expert on wild canid behaviour and compassionate conservation, and award-winning wildlife photographer Jo-Anne Oucharek. Explore captivating wolf research and stunning wildlife photography, as they share their passion for understanding and protecting wolves while showcasing the beauty of nature through science and the art of storytelling.

Specialty wine & light food pairings will be served, with vegetarian options. A silent auction will be held with work by local artists.

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Evening Program:

6:30pm – Doors open, specialty wine & light food pairings served, and silent auction opens with work by local artists

7:15pm – Presentation begins, followed by a question period

8:15pm – Socializing, Final bidding

9:00pm – Silent Auction closes

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Date: Thursday, October 24th, 2024

Location: Vinestone Wine Co. 608 Second St W, Cochrane, AB

Price: $125

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About our Presenters:

Dr. Shelley M. Alexander

Dr. Shelley Alexander is a Professor in the Department of Geography at the University of Calgary. She has over 30 years of experience studying wolves and coyotes. Shelley founded the Canid Conservation Science Lab. Embracing the principles of Compassionate Conservation, her research spans ecology, ethology, epidemiology, ethics, and coexistence (@canid_lab). She founded the flagship coexistence program UCalgary Living with Wildlife (https://research.ucalgary.ca/wildlife). Shelley has provided expert review on wild canid behaviour for international communities, courts, and contributes regularly to the media on best coexistence practices.

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Jo-Anne Oucharek

Jo-Anne Oucharek is an award-winning wildlife photographer. Capturing moments has always been a part of her life. When she moved to Cochrane in 2014, she brought my camera out of retirement. It marked the beginning of a new photography adventure. It was the birds that inspired “Nature in my Backyard”! This new journey opened her eyes to the beauty and nature that surrounds us in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Her adventures are usually close to home, but over the past couple of years, her backyard has expanded, travelling to other provinces, the US and Africa to capture amazing birds and wildlife stories. Jo-Anne is passionate about sharing her adventures through the stories behind the lens. Her hope is the images captured from these adventures provide insight into the compelling stories of the animals she is fortunate to spend time with in nature.

The past 10 years have been a learning experience. A big part of my journey is connecting with like-minded photographers who believe that nature comes first. We are privileged to have such a variety of wildlife so close to home. When we get to see wildlife in their natural environment, it is truly a gift!