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.

Ian McAllister, a founding director of the Raincoast Conservation Society, has spent 20 years working to conserve B.C.’s temperate rain forest. He is the author of The Great Bear Rainforest as well as an award-winning photographer and filmmaker. He and his wife, Karen McAllister, were named “leaders for the 21st Century” by Time magazine. McAllister lives on Denny Island, B.C., in the heart of Canada’s Great Bear Rainforest.