Where Curiosity Meets Conservation: Alberta Biodiversity Festival Returns

12 SEPTEMBER 2025 (Calgary, AB) – The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo, in collaboration with the Government of Alberta and Bow Habitat Station, is excited to announce the fourth-annual Alberta Biodiversity Festival. From September 12th to 14th at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo and concluding with a special finale event at Bow Habitat Station on September 20th, the festival will once again bring Albertans together to celebrate and explore the landscapes and ecosystems that define our province.

Now in its fourth year, the Alberta Biodiversity Festival has become a much-anticipated tradition, highlighting the importance of conservation and education through an engaging mix of family-friendly experiences. Visitors can look forward to interactive exhibits, discovery stations, and hands-on activities that bring Alberta’s fish, wildlife, and ecosystems to life.

“The Alberta Biodiversity Festival is a wonderful way to spend the day with family celebrating our province’s biodiversity and the importance of protecting it for future generations,” said Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas. “Alberta’s truly unique landscape where the prairies, boreal forest and Rocky Mountains meet is home to diverse habitat for more than 60,000 wild species. This is a great opportunity to join Bow Habitat Station and event partners to learn about the incredible fish, birds, bats and species at risk that make our province their home.”

With activities designed to spark curiosity for all ages, the festival invites families, outdoor enthusiasts, and conservation experts alike to discover how biodiversity supports healthy landscapes and communities.

“Engaging children and families in conservation helps nurture a lifelong connection with the natural world,” said Dr. Gráinne McCabe, Chief Conservation Officer at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo. “Through this festival, we hope to inspire Albertans to learn about their local ecosystems and take small but meaningful steps to protect them.”

This year’s programming continues to shine a light on the essential role of Alberta’s diverse habitats — from the wetlands that support countless species to the grasslands and forests that sustain wildlife and people alike. Each activity is designed to inspire awareness, responsibility, and action toward protecting the province’s natural heritage.

“All of us benefit when biodiversity is strong and resilient,” McCabe added. “The Alberta Biodiversity Festival shows how, together, we can support thriving ecosystems that will endure well into the future.”

Festival activities are included with the purchase of daytime admission at both the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo and Bow Habitat Station. For details, visit the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo or Bow Habitat Station websites.

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For more information contact: 

Alison Archambault
Director, Brand & Public Relations
403-232-7766 | 403-919-9482 | mediarelations@calgaryzoo.com 

About the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo  

For more than 30 years, the internationally accredited Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo has been a leading authority in wildlife conservation, reintroducing threatened species to the wild and empowering communities to conserve natural resources to positively impact both the environment and local inhabitants.  

While our work is global, our roots run deep in the Albertan conservation community. Sitting on 125 acres in the heart of the city, we operate one of the oldest charities in Alberta, the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo – a not-for-profit charitable wildlife conservation organization that works to fight the extinction of plants and animals worldwide. In addition to the zoo, we proudly operate the Archibald Biodiversity Centre (ABC), Canada’s largest conservation breeding and research facility. Nestled on 330 acres in the Albertan prairies, the ABC is a stronghold for biodiversity and a temporary home to some of Canada’s most iconic species-at-risk.  

The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is passionate about inspiring and educating generations of visitors about the importance of biodiversity and conservation. Together, we will continue to be a force of nature for making the world a wilder place. Learn more at WilderInstitute.org and CalgaryZoo.com.