Ecologist and wildlife guide

I am a naturalist first.

I explore nature through wildlife research, photography, writing, and wilderness travel. Conservation of wildlife and ecosystems is at the core of what I do.

I am also a guide and founder of Wildlife Jouneys.  In collaboration with Marven Robinson of the Gitga’at First Nation, I lead trips in the Great Bear Rainforest in pursuit of wild and toothy things like wolves, grizzlies, and spirit bears. 

Wildlife Journeys with Tim Irvin logo

Spirit bear tours

Steam rising off of a spirit bear in the Great Bear Rainforest

With a group size of just seven guests per guide, we will explore lush river valleys in search of spirit, or Kermode, bears in a place that National Geographic has called the “Wildest Place in North America.” By travelling with Marven we will spend all of our time in the very heart of spirit bear territory. By staying in Hartley Bay, we will also be supporting the Gitga’at Nation by providing local employment within their traditional territory.

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Rainforest wolf expeditions

coastal wolf standing in sedges in an estuary in the Great Bear Rainforest of British Columbia

In a world dominated by human landscapes, the wilderness of the Great Bear Rainforest is a refuge for wildlife, including the wolf. In the words of eminent scientist Dr. Paul Paquet, “the remote ocean archipelago of the Great Bear Rainforest comprises North America’s most unusual and one of its most pristine wolf populations.”

This is an expedition-style trip offering an extraordinary opportunity to photograph wild wolves in the coastal rainforest of British Columbia.

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Recent Posts

Charlie Russell sitting next to a grizzly bear in Kamchatka. Photo by Maureen Enns Studios Ltd

Coexistence: Charlie Russell’s legacy

Hunting grizzly bears for sport was banned in British Columbia in April of this year. This is a conservation success story, 20 years in the making, that is about a lot more than killing bears. I think it reflects the changing relationship people have with nature; it gives me hope we are forging a new and more nuanced relationship with ...
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The head of a male spirit, or Kermode, bear visible among the trees within the forest

The winner of our spirit bear tour giveaway is…

Are you nervous?  Excited? On the edge of your seat? You should be.  This is awesome. I’m about to give somebody a trip to the Great Bear Rainforest to see a spirit bear for half price. Wow! But before I tell you who won, I want to explain how we chose the winner in the name of full transparency. It ...
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Male spirit bear portrait

One week left in spirit bear tour giveaway

The contest is now over.  But you can still subscribe to our email list for updates from the Great Bear Rainforest and notices on future contests. We are giving away a 5-Day spirit bear tour at half the normal price - and there is only one week left to enter for a chance to win. Spirit bears are as rare ...
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female grizzly bear chasing a chum salmon in the Great Bear Rainforest

More salmon, more grizzly cubs at play

This female grizzly bear is a formidable huntress and a good mother. When this photo was taken she was supporting three cubs with her salmon fishing prowess. Salmon have traditionally been managed only for commercial and recreational fishing interests, without consideration for how many salmon are needed to support bears, orcas, wolves, and the vast number of other species and ecological ...
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Steam rising off of a spirit bear in the Great Bear Rainforest

A feeling is worth one thousand photos

It is what we had all hoped for. The bear had accepted our presence and was now perched on a rock mid-stream scanning the creek for salmon. Her white fur was wet from an overnight rain and steam rose from her back in the morning sun. It was like a scene from National Geographic television – only this was live ...
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Max Venturi in the rainforest a spirit bear

Bears and Big News in the Great Bear Rainforest

The Great Bear Rainforest is a global treasure.  In keeping with this I bring you some highlights from the rainforest in three languages plus some really, REALLY big news. In English, Rick Andrews  shares the story and photos from his first spirit bear encounter during our trip together this fall. In his beautifully written blog post Rick also explores the coastal ...
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