Born in Vancouver, Ian McAllister was fortunate to be introduced to the rugged West Coast of British Columbia at a young age during many family outings. These early explorations and adventures instilled in him a passion for conservation that has led him to become one of Canada’s leading advocates for rainforest protection.

With a keen interest in wildlife behaviour and ecology, in particular that of coastal wolves and grizzly bears, the accomplished open ocean sailor has spent much of the last twenty years observing the large carnivorous land animals that inhabit the rugged north coast of British Columbia; travelling along a coastline few people have visited has led to many unique wildlife observations.

McAllister’s first book, The Great Bear Rainforest (1997), co-authored with his wife, Karen McAllister, and Cameron Young, won the 1998 Bill Duthie Booksellers’ Choice Award for BC Book of the Year. The author is also a nature photographer and filmmaker whose images and footage have be used by numerous publications and film/television companies including International Wildlife, BBC Wildlife, Audubon, Sierra, Beautiful British Columbia, National Geographic TV, Discovery Channel, and the BBC. He has also been the recipient of numerous awards for his work, including, along with his wife, Time Magazine’s “Hero for the Planet” award.

Ian McAllister lives on Denny Island in the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest with his wife and their two children, Callum and Lucy.