As co-founder of the Alberta Birds of Prey Foundation, Colin Weir has never toured with the Rolling Stones or jammed with U2. Still, he feels like he can occasionally relate to the likes of Mick Jagger and Bono.
"My favourite part of my job is having a big eagle or owl on my arm, talking to young people. I feel like a rock star for those few moments," beamed Weir. "As you move the birds closer and closer, you can see the kids' eyes dancing with excitement."
When Weir was growing up, opportunities for young people to learn about nature were few and far between. In fact, wildlife rescue activity in western Canada was almost non-existent until he and partner Wendy Slaytor opened the Alberta Birds of Prey Foundation's nature centre in Coaldale in 1982.
"Getting started was very challenging because back in the early '80s there weren't any provisions for private individuals to possess wildlife even for rehabilitation and release so we had to get special permission from the province to begin our work."
For nearly 30 years, Weir's foundation has been dedicated to rehabilitating and releasing injured birds of prey back into the wild, captive breeding and releasing of endangered species, and increasing public environmental awareness. Covering 140 acres, the Coaldale facility is the only one of its kind in Alberta, operating 365 days a year.
"We've had calls come in late on Christmas night where people have found owls frozen on the roadside near Lethbridge," recalled Weir. "If people care enough to phone, then we should make the effort to have someone available to talk to."
Weir is often amazed by the care rural Albertans have towards nature and the environment.
"Once, we got an injured golden eagle named Spirit," remembered Weir. "A rancher's wife was driving home in her minivan and saw him at the side of the road with his head hanging down. She called to say she was bringing the bird in. I thought she would show up with a little hawk or a falcon. Ninety minutes later, she arrived on my doorstep, opened the door of her minivan and there's this eagle sitting in the back seat like he's a passenger. It was extraordinary."
The centre is open to the public from May to September each year. Visitors are offered a first-hand look at the work being done by the foundation.
"It's almost like going on a special behind-the-scenes tour of a big zoo," explained Weir. "We have specially-trained great horned and burrowing owls that people can have perched on their arm. They can handle the birds and help feed them. The only thing they can't do is taste them."
Relying completely on cash donations and volunteers, the Alberta Birds of Prey Foundation simply wouldn't exist without support from organizations like ATB Financial. From providing funds to help build birdhouses and park benches to simply lending a hand when needed, ATB is a longtime supporter of the centre.
"I asked Colin: 'What would you like us to do?'" offered Rob Smith, ATB's Vice-President, South Region. "He said: 'How do you feel about raking leaves?' We put together a work group and went at 'er. That's who we are. We are Albertans. We're proud contributors and owners of our communities."
"We really appreciate the support ATB Financial has given us over the years," added Weir. "What ATB has done is a lot more meaningful than a donation and a photo opportunity. They're actually interested in getting out, getting their hands dirty and helping us."
For Smith, the decision to support such a unique and important cause was an easy one. "It's a wonderful place where great things happen," he smiled. "It's a nurturing place not only for the birds but for the spirit of the people who are there. We will continue to find ways to partner with and support the centre. I'm sure we'll be raking leaves again this fall."
