International outdoor celebrities join celebrated artist Robert Bateman in connecting kids with nature

JASPER, AB, Oct. 18 /CNW/ - This week, the Robert Bateman Get to Know Society is hosting a unique gathering of leading green corporations, NGOs, and government agencies from across North America. From October 20-23, beautiful Jasper National Park will play host to a diverse group of individuals focusing on developing collaborative strategies for inspiring the next generation to step outdoors and spend more time connecting with the natural world. The vision of the Get to Know Society is to provide youth with gateways to nature by offering engaging outdoor initiatives and connecting them with programs offered by over 150 environmental organizations across Canada and the U.S.

Building on the success of the first Unconference, held last June in Kelowna, BC, this year's event will once again be a participant-driven forum encouraging creative thinking. A 2011 Healthy Active Kids Report suggests that only 13% of youth in Canada are getting the recommended 60 minutes per day of physical activity, while many are spending over six hours per day in sedentary screen time (TV, computer, video games). Delegates at the Unconference will gather in an effort to reverse this "indoor childhood" trend by emphasizing the benefits of time spent outdoors in natural settings.

"The Unconference is a unique and inspiring project which will lay the foundation for enhanced efforts to connect youth to nature," said Wade Luzny, CEO and Executive Vice-President of the Canadian Wildlife Federation. "It is a pleasure and an honour for the Canadian Wildlife Federation to work with the Robert Bateman Get to Know program as the premier sponsor of this international forum. Through dialogue, innovation, and outdoor sporting activities, we will challenge each other to build a stronger conservation community that creates and celebrates our wild species and spaces. With this partnership and mentorship approach, I believe we can make a positive impact on the kind of legacy we leave behind."

The strong international collaboration behind the Unconference is evidenced in the diversity of organizations joining the Get to Know Society from both sides of the border. Get to Know's vast partner network includes the Canadian Wildlife Federation, Parks Canada, Wildlife Habitat Canada, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, National Wildlife Federation, Wildlife Habitat Council, and many others. These groups are working together to combine outreach, build capacity, and develop linkages.

Youth engagement will be a key component of the Unconference, with over 30 youth delegates travelling from across Canada and the U.S. to take part in the sessions and receive training to become Get to Know Youth Ambassadors. These youth ambassadors will return to their communities to coordinate environmental projects, give school presentations, and encourage their peers to develop an interest in the environment. They will be equipped with a youth ambassador package, prepared with the help of Parks Canada--a lead partner in the Get to Know collaboration. "Parks Canada playsa leadership role in the protection of Canada's natural and historic treasures," said Mr. Richards, Member of Parliamentfor Wild Rose. "We recognize just how important it is for youth to connect with nature and have made this a priority. I am certain that the great organizations, here in Jasper National Park, will help us find effective ways to encourage youth to `get to know' their natural treasures."

The Unconference will feature a number of thrilling welcome activities for youth and adult delegates including painting with Get to Know patron Robert Bateman, an adventure rafting tour down the thabasca River with "Survivorman" Les Stroud, andhiking in Jasper National Park with MLA Dave Rodney (two time climber to the summit of Mount Everest). Bateman will host the opening Gala Banquet Dinner on the evening of Thursday, October 20th, and Les Stroud will be hosting the Wrap-up Banquet on Saturday, October 22nd.

Other confirmed VIP speakers and delegates include: Adam Kreek, Canadian Olympic Gold Medalist in rowing; Councilmember Tom LaBonge, City of Los Angeles; Wade Luzny, CEO/Executive VP, Canadian Wildlife Federation; Andrew Campbell, Vice-President of External Relations and Visitor Experience, Parks Canada; Mary Wagner, Associate Chief, U.S. Forest Service; Dr. Debi Colbert, Vice President of Conservation, AZA; Dr. Jack Sahl, Director of Sustainability, Southern California Edison; Kevin Strange, Head of Conservation Outreach, Calgary Zoo.

For more information, visit http://www.gettoknow.ca/events/unconference

About the Get to Know Program:
Over the past ten years, the Robert Bateman Get to Know Program has connected hundreds of thousands of young people with nature by encouraging them to "get to know" their wild neighbours. The program combines cutting-edge interactive educational initiatives with active outdoor experiences for young people. The Get to Know Program endeavors to foster a continent-wide shift in thinking towards an understanding that conserving biodiversity is our shared responsibility. By encouraging young people to regard other species as important members of their community, we are working to restore the link between youth and the environment, and foster the next generation of passionate environmental stewards. For more information, please visit www.gettoknow.ca.

For further information:

Media Contact

Mary Krupa-Clark
Director, Get to Know Program
[phone], or [e-mail]