My interest in wildlife and wild places has been life long, initially encouraged by family camping experiences throughout my childhood. In 2001 I started as a volunteer (doing many things, but with a focus on education related activities) at the Calgary Zoo, which is a wildlife research and conservation oriented organization, along with being an accredited zoo with a strong focus on engaging guests with wildlife conservation. Subsequently I became involved as a volunteer with animal care and wildlife education at the Calgary Wildlife Rehabilitation Society. I became involved in birding with the Friends of Fish Creek Provincial Park birding group and was quickly 'hooked' on birding under the mentorship of Gus Yaki and the many knowledgeable volunteers supporting that birding program. I even dipped my toes into the botany programs as well. Around the same time, I was introduced by a friend to NCC (Nature Conservancy of Canada) and have remained engaged as a donor and sometimes volunteer. In 2018 I participated in a citizen science project at Glenbow Ranch under the direction of Wildlife Preservation Canada; catching, photographing and identifying native bumble bees for species and population monitoring purposes. I have also participated in a wild species (fungi, flora, fauna, bugs, birds, etc.) inventory on site at Heritage Park Historical Village. All of these involvements have fuelled my ongoing interest and commitment to the conservation and celebration of wild spaces and wild creatures, and a desire to share some of my sightings (in and around my home community and province) on iNaturalist.