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Wild Roses Are Worth It: Reimagining the Alberta Advantage
A timely collection of provocative, personal, and thoughtful essays for an Alberta in transition.
This selection of works by naturalist, hunter, conservation activist, and outdoors journalist Kevin Van Tighem will both inspire and provoke, because it offers an unflinching challenge to cherished myths and conventional wisdom in a troubled province beset with profound questions about its future. Even at their most provocative, however, these writings remind us of what is best about the Alberta spirit, and offer the possibility of a more sustaining relationship with our place and with one another.
The rich imagery in these writings is drawn from the author's intimate relationship with the streams, forests, grasslands, and mountains of the Canadian West. There may be no sacred cows in Van Tighem's prose, but even the most unblinkingly critical of his writings resonate with a love of place and an abiding respect for the people whose lives he shares. He reminds us that Alberta's stories were always meant to be about much more than oil. At a time when social, economic, and environmental changes confront and confound what is still one of Canada's greatest provinces, we need better ways of remembering our past, knowing our present, and imagining our future. That's what this inspiring body of work offers — just in time for tomorrow.
This selection of works by naturalist, hunter, conservation activist, and outdoors journalist Kevin Van Tighem will both inspire and provoke, because it offers an unflinching challenge to cherished myths and conventional wisdom in a troubled province beset with profound questions about its future. Even at their most provocative, however, these writings remind us of what is best about the Alberta spirit, and offer the possibility of a more sustaining relationship with our place and with one another.
The rich imagery in these writings is drawn from the author's intimate relationship with the streams, forests, grasslands, and mountains of the Canadian West. There may be no sacred cows in Van Tighem's prose, but even the most unblinkingly critical of his writings resonate with a love of place and an abiding respect for the people whose lives he shares. He reminds us that Alberta's stories were always meant to be about much more than oil. At a time when social, economic, and environmental changes confront and confound what is still one of Canada's greatest provinces, we need better ways of remembering our past, knowing our present, and imagining our future. That's what this inspiring body of work offers — just in time for tomorrow.
- GenresEnvironment
284 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 4, 2021
Escape into these essays about Alberta's complicated relationship with nature.
May 9, 2026
In this tiny book, Kevin covers a wide array of topics concerning Alberta’s identity both in the past and the present. These range from indigenous land rights, sustainable agriculture, ecology, and the coming water crisis whose effects are already being felt. He paints a vivid picture of the province that the oil lobby doesn’t want us to see. A province defined not by greed and ambition, but by stewardship and humility.
While reading this book, I was inspired by Kevin’s reinterpretation of the province’s history, but I found it hard to reconcile that vision with the very real ignorance by which Alberta is widely defined. Nevertheless, Kevin reminds the reader that every single one of humanity’s era-defining revolutions began with the thoughts and actions of a select few who had the courage to imagine a different future for their children.
It’s tempting to think that progressive and revolutionary thought only happens in other, more exotic, more enthusiastic places with more educated voter bases. But this book reminds me that the land I take for granted as a born and raised Albertan is one that millions of people from around the world travel to to admire: a land that existed long before oil and that will continue to stand long we’ve weaned ourselves off of it.
While reading this book, I was inspired by Kevin’s reinterpretation of the province’s history, but I found it hard to reconcile that vision with the very real ignorance by which Alberta is widely defined. Nevertheless, Kevin reminds the reader that every single one of humanity’s era-defining revolutions began with the thoughts and actions of a select few who had the courage to imagine a different future for their children.
It’s tempting to think that progressive and revolutionary thought only happens in other, more exotic, more enthusiastic places with more educated voter bases. But this book reminds me that the land I take for granted as a born and raised Albertan is one that millions of people from around the world travel to to admire: a land that existed long before oil and that will continue to stand long we’ve weaned ourselves off of it.
October 12, 2021
Really great collection of essays about Alberta's environmental issues.
December 21, 2021
A Visionary
Kevin’s writing is almost as good as his understanding of nature. A man to be listened to. Every Albertan should read and heed this book.
Kevin’s writing is almost as good as his understanding of nature. A man to be listened to. Every Albertan should read and heed this book.
March 17, 2026
Kevin Van Tighem retired as superintendent of Banff National Park in 2011, and since then he has shared his expertise on Alberta’s flora and fauna through books and columns, including in this publication, which, he writes, “gave me the chance to write about things that I believe make Alberta what it is. Things that aren’t just about oil and money.” In short, evocative essays, Van Tighem discusses the impact of industrial development on Alberta’s landscape, the state of wildlife across the province and the ethics of hunting. This updated edition also includes a preface detailing his experience running for the NDP in Livingstone-Macleod during the 2023 provincial election.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews