The Wildflower Festival in Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada, kicks off Saturday (June 19, 2010) in Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada. This nine-day event (it ends June 26-2010) is organized by the Trail of the Great Bear and partners, and features more than two dozen educational courses on wildflowers, plants and ecosystems, art exhibits; workshops on photography and art, and evening slide shows and local entertainment.

Leaders for activities at the festival include wildflower photographers Paul Gilbert (author of “Wild Colours” and “Wild Light” books); Steve Harrington and Frans Brouwers; Calgary Zoo Botanical Education Coordinator, Jane Reksten; naturalists and scientists, Dr. John Dormaar, Dr. Brian Reeves, Jo-Anne Reynolds, Mira Vanhala, and bird expert, Peter Sherrington.

The photo (above, left), by Kady Fischer, took first place in the Kids Division of the photography contest at the 2008 Wildflower Festival. She focused on the Yellow Salsify Goatsbeard.

Waterton Lakes National Park includes about 50 per cent of Alberta’s wildflower species. More than 50 of Canada’s rare flowers grow in Waterton, 30 of which are found only in this park.