Kevin Van Tighem's western roots run deep: his family has lived in the Alberta foothills since 1883. Since graduating from the University of Calgary with a Bsc in plant ecology, Van Tighem has studied wildlife and their habitats in various western national parks and protected areas. His explorations of elk and deer country have taken him to every western State and Province. A naturalist and hunter, he has written more than 200 articles, stories and essays on conservation and wildlife. His work has garnered many awards, including the Western Magazine Award, Outdoor Writers of Canada book and magazine awards and the Journey Award for Fiction. Van Tighem has served on the executive committees of the Federation of Alberta Naturalists and Alberta Wilderness Association. Currently, Van Tighem is Ecosystem Secretariat Manager for Jasper National Park, where he lives with his wife Gail and their three children.