John Vaillant, Wayne Sawchuk, Michael Christopher Brown — Northern Giant

John Vaillant calls British Columbia’s Muskwa-Kechika wilderness area “arguably the biggest well-kept secret in North America.” Conservationist Wayne Sawchuk is its most eloquent spokesperson. Both will be in Banff to share the story of their four-week journey across the 6.4 million-hectare area.

Presentation: Wednesday, November 5, 7:30 p.m.

Dawa Steven Sherpa — Eco Everest Expedition

At age 23, Dawa Steven Sherpa brings fresh new ideas to the mountaineering forum. The owner and operator of the world’s highest bakery — located at Everest base camp — Dawa Steven has summitted three 8000-metre peaks, including Mount Everest (twice). His first ascent to the top of Everest in May 2007 set him on a quest to discover the effects of climate change on the Himalayas, and led him to develop the Eco Everest Expedition.

Presentation: Thursday, November 6, 9:00 – 10:10 a.m.

Zeb Hogan — Big Fish

Dr. Zeb Hogan is an aquatic ecologist with a big goal: find the world’s largest freshwater fish before they disappear forever. Hogan is spearheading National Geographic’s Megafishes Project, designed to raise awareness of the animals' plight and to highlight the increasingly dire situation of the world's water sources.

Presentation: Thursday, November 6, 1:30 – 2:40 p.m.

Jon Waterman — Journey through the Arctic Refuge

Author, photographer, and adventurer Jon Waterman is known for exploring the North. Since 1983, he has spent more than 200 days in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and in 2006, he joined a National Geographic-sponsored expedition across the refuge’s 19.2 million acres. He was awarded a Banff Mountain Grant in 2007 for the subsequent creation of an exhibition of photographs and artifacts on the conservation of the region.

Presentation: Friday, November 7, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.