Hey, We Like Birds and Stuff: Our New Nature Writers

In an age long past, four years ago, I met my fabulous agent, Italia Gandolfo. She introduced me to a guy who oozed passion, care and love for the outdoors. Believe it or not, we here at The Rogue love all things bright and beautiful (gratuitous James Harriott reference!)

That guy is Simon Jackson, and we became fast friends. His passion to save the  Spirit Bear inspired me to write my upcoming Middle Grade Novel, Ghost Bear.

He and Jill, his fiance, are going to share some of the cool, awesome and kooky things that have happened to them in the outdoors. We hope their articles give you a love, passion and appreciation of the beauty the Creator put into the world.

Simon Jackson

Simon Jackson is an award-winning and widely-published nature photographer.

Since seeing his first bear at the age of seven, Simon’s passion for the wild has been fueled by his passion for nature photography, believing the camera can freeze moments that inspire a wired world to appreciated the interconnectedness of all life.

Simon founded the Spirit Bear Youth Coalition at the age of 13 and, for almost two decades, led the largest youth-led environmental movement in the world in the pursuit of saving the white Kermode bear, also known as the spirit or ghost bear. For his efforts, he has been named a Hero for the Planet by Time Magazine and was selected as one of the 100 Guardian Angels of the Planet by UNESCO and the Founding Congress of the Green Games.

Today, Simon focuses on speaking, writing, and strategy to help put forward a 21st Century vision for nature and uses photography to enhance his message. His images have appeared in books, films, newspapers, magazines, textbooks, and even museums around the world, including Time Magazine and National Geographic.

Jill Cooper

Jill Cooper grew up in rural Ontario, Canada and spent most of her summers outside. Whether observing the wildlife in her backyard, or visiting a park in her area, she was always surrounded by nature.

In 2007, Jill was given her first DSLR from her father and, since that day, fell in love with photography.

She is happy to be able to share her love of nature through the lens of her camera and has been published by the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), as well as in several publications and web sites in support of education and conservation advocacy.

Photography is a natural extension of Jill’s decade-plus work as an educator. As a geography teacher in Toronto, she has built on her role in the classroom, using photography as an engagement tool, to help lead student research excursions to Nicaragua, advised organizations such as the Jane Goodall Institute on school resources and has developed critically acclaimed education programs for WILD10 (the 10th World Wilderness Congress), CoalitionWILD and the Spirit Bear Youth Coalition.

Ghost Bear Photography 

Named in honor of the two decade fight to save Canada’s white Kermode or spirit bear, Ghost Bear Photography, like the spirit bear campaign itself, hopes to reconnect people with the wild and through photography, help the world fall in love with nature again.