Bragg Creek Wild Fair Draws Strong Community Support
On May 2nd, the first Bragg Creek Wild Fair welcomed more than 300 people, bringing the community together to celebrate nature, learn about the environment and wildlife, and connect with local nature‑based organizations, artists, and businesses.
The Wild Fair featured a vibrant marketplace of vendors and exhibitors, engaging workshops throughout the day, and a keynote address by conservationist, author, and former Banff National Park superintendent Kevin Van Tighem. One of his central messages focused on the “three Ps”: planning, politics, and personal growth — essential elements in protecting nature amid increasing land‑use pressures and development.
As visitor numbers continue to rise, communities face growing demands for infrastructure and services. Yet the very development intended to support growth can gradually erode the natural environment that both residents and visitors value so deeply. Addressing this challenge requires thoughtful, informed planning that brings together visitors, local communities, environmental organizations, and specialists who understand ecosystems, wildlife, and the cumulative impacts of human activity.
Wild Fair was designed to be accessible to all and offered as much as possible free of charge.
In the May 2 Calgary Herald article by Devon Dekuyper, who covered the event, the importance of finding balance and being “wild smart” was highlighted. Being wild smart is not only about managing garbage or avoiding littering, but also about approaching land‑use planning in ways that respect ecosystems, wildlife, and the environment’s long‑term health. It is about being mindful of unintended consequences.
Beyond broader land‑use planning, coexistence with wildlife also depends on the small choices we collectively make every day. Keeping Bragg Creek wild and resilient means picking up litter, driving carefully to reduce wildlife‑vehicle collisions and human‑wildlife conflicts, eliminating food attractants, and responsibly controlling pets. Together, these actions help protect the landscapes and wildlife that make this community so special.
We are grateful for the generous financial contributions of local businesses including 3 Point Environmental, Fur Person Day Services, Bragg Creek Trading Post, Bragg Creek Real Estate, Century 21, he Best Little Wordhouse, Pam Atkinson, David Zimmerman Art, Brownie, High Country News, and Bragg Creek Dental, along with funders Rocky View County, AB BearSmart, EcoTrust Foundation, and Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative for believing in Bragg Creek Wild.
Thank you as well to the artists who contributed to a successful raffle by donating artworks, and to all who purchased tickets or donated. Workshop facilitators kindly shared their knowledge of photography, forest bathing, our local orchid reserve, and building birdhouses, adding another layer of quality and depth to the event.
Finally, kudos to our dynamic and inspiring team of volunteers who designed, organized, and brought this event to life. Thank you!
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