I’ve been a professional journalist, writer and editor since 1973, including 21 years as a columnist-reporter with the Calgary Herald.
I’m the author of three books – Paradise Preserved: The Ann and Sandy Cross Conservation Area (Bayeux Arts); Heading Out: A Celebration of the Great Outdoors in Calgary and Southern Alberta (Johnson Gorman); and One Last Cast: Reflections of an Outdoor Life (Rocky Mountain Books).
I’ve contributed chapters to 8 other books
Since becoming an independent freelancer in 2000, my articles and photographs have been published in many publications, including Reader’s Digest, The Conservator, Outdoor Canada (where I was a field editor for many years), West and many others.
I’ve been honoured to receive about 40 regional, national and international awards for my writing. In 1998, I became the first print journalist inducted into Alberta’s prestigious Order of the Bighorn for “Outstanding Contributions to the Conservation of Alberta’s Fish and Wildlife Heritage.”
In 2018, I resigned my contract instructor position at SAIT, after completing 13 years sharing my passion for writing and journalism with Journalism Arts students. I taught copy editing, news and opinion writing, news research and feature writing.
I was elected to a 4-year term on High River town council in October 2013. I was re-elected in 2017 to another 4-year term. I am honoured to work with the people of High River.
Although we both were born in Manitoba, Karen and I consider High River our home after moving here on New Year’s Eve of 1979. Our daughters, Chelsea and Sarah, were raised in High River and now follow their dreams in other parts of Alberta.
In my “down” time, I enjoy fly-fishing, hiking, snowshoeing, hunting, camping, watching wildlife and experiencing nature in the mountains, foothills and prairies. I try to live the spirit displayed on my vehicle licence plate, which reads HEDNOUT.
Being outdoors soothes my soul.