BRIAN KEATING'S
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Brian Keating can make even the smallest beetle fascinating to the public. Keating has been curator of the Calgary Zoo's education program since 1981. He's responsible for external conservation projects and sister zoo relationships, many of the public and media conservation related presentations, and the eco-four program. In that time he has transformed the zoo's education programs and inspired a new interest in natural history and wildlife conservation in thousands of Canadians. For example, the Calgary Zoo's annual Jubilee program is an educational evening featuring a wildlife conservationist of international stature speaking to about 2,000 Albertans. |
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Through ten such talks, Keating has raised over $300,000 for conservation. Keating has been able to convince speakers of international calibre such as Jane Goodall, George Schaller and Robert Bateman to come to Alberta. These presentations capture attention in a way that print or television cannot and allow people to see the connection between their daily activities and global conservation efforts. Through Keating's efforts, the zoo's education program has expanded and the number of education volunteers has increased for 30 to 200. Brian Keating has demonstrated a keen commitment to the preservation of the environment both professionally and personally. As a result, the Calgary Zoo's education program has become a model of excellence for zoos across North America. |
He has been a regular weekly guest on local CBC Radio for about 15 years, and has been featured bi-weekly on the Discovery Channel for the previous four years. In addition to his full time job at the Zoo, he's an Adjunct Assistant Professor of anthropology at the University of Calgary, a pilot of over 15 years, a keen naturalist, scuba diver, and montaineer. Brian is always accompanied on his regional and international trips by his wife Dee, who is a local Calgary physician and keen naturalist.
