Brackendale Winter Eagle Festival 2012
26 Years and Counting:
Organizers hope for significant increase in 2012 count

The Grandfather of all Eagle Festivals gets underway for the 26^th time January 8, 2012 with the annual Brackendale Winter Bald Eagle Count.

Since 1986, volunteer counters have been setting out on foot, raft or kayak, binoculars in hand, to 22 different counting areas along the Squamish, Cheakamus and Mamquam rivers and their tributaries on a Sunday morning in early January.

The main purpose of the count is as a scientific window, the results of which are sent to BC Wildlife Service. But the Brackendale Winter Eagle Festival also brings awareness of the greater conservation issues and ecological imperatives that sustain this habitat for bald eagles.

“In the past 26 years, we have seen many changes and events come to pass that have continually reinforced our goal to preserve and enhance the unique natural phenomenon that is the Eagles of Brackendale,” says Thor Froslev, proprietor of the Brackendale Art Gallery and festival organizer since its inception. “Over the past few years we have become extremely concerned with our salmon populations. Chum salmon in particular are the lifeblood of our food chain and their declining numbers needs to be evaluated and understood so we can act appropriately.

“There are likely many reasons for this population decrease. It could be the detrimental effects of fish farms in our coastal waters or localized impacts in our estuary and rivers. Without education and awareness, without the scientific data to understand the influences on the ecosystem, catastrophic and incremental, without the dedication of so many volunteers and advocates, we would likely not have salmon, bear and these spectacular raptors in our area…it’s all connected. The eagle festival is our community’s way of continuing to be aware of our collective impacts as human beings on our natural world.”

The Brackendale Winter Eagle Festival runs throughout January at the Brackendale Art Gallery, 10 minutes north of Squamish, 30 minutes south of Whistler, 45 minutes north of Vancouver on the Sea to Sky Highway. Festival events include the Art of the Natural World Lecture, Art and Concert Series.

Media Opportunities:
Join in the count by raft or foot. Please contact Thor Froslev at 604.898.3333.

Annual Eagle Count: Sun January 8 – Counters meet at the Brackendale Art Gallery 8am. Gallery open to the public 9am-10pm

Lecture Series:

Sun. January 15, 8pm – Rant ‘n’ Rafe
A fireside chat with Thor’s favourite pundit Rafe Mair.

Sun. January 22, 8pm – Herring’s Revival & Survival
Jonn Matsen & Douglas Swanston in Conversation.

Sun. January 29, 8pm
Chum populations on the Cheakamus River and beyond
Fisheries biologists Don McCubbing & Caroline Melville share their research and observations, histories and trends of chum in the Cheakamus River.

Concert Series:
Tickets @ Xocolatl & BAG

Fri. January 6, 8pm – Marc Destrubé & Friends
This Mozart Quintet of internationally renowned musicians featuring Destrubé Farran James, Joanna Hood, Steve Creswell and Joanna Blendulf is unforgettable performance not to be missed.

Sat. January 14, 8pm – Brighter Lights Thicker Glasses
An outstanding acoustic trio of John Palmer, Brian Samuels and Michael Dunn will have everyone tapping their toes.

Sat. January 28, Dinner 7pm, Concert 8pm
WingDing! Valdy & the Eagle Band, BAG favourite once again closes the Festival.

School of Art:

Jan 16 & 18 and Jan. 23 & 25  (Mon./Wed.)  7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Intuitive Watercolour Workshop with Pat Robinson – This four-night workshop explores an intriguing art form using flowing and melding colours, stunning backgrounds and images. $150 includes supplies.
For more information see  Brackendale Art Gallery School of Art

Eagle Art Show:
Featuring paintings and photographs by renowned West Coast Artists including: Norman Rich, George Blumel, Roy Hamaguchi, Ed Dubois and Ken Lubas.