Interpretive Guides Association

🌸 Meet one of the Rockies’ enchanting wildflowers: the Calypso Orchid (Calypso bulbosa)

Also known as the “Fairy Slipper,” this tiny orchid may look delicate, but it survives in some surprisingly harsh mountain environments.

Fun interpretive facts:
✨ The name Calypso comes from Greek mythology — Calypso was a sea nymph known for beauty and mystery.
✨ Unlike many flowers, Calypso Orchids don’t offer nectar to pollinators. They “trick” bees into visiting with their bright colours and patterns!
✨ A single plant may take years to flower, making each bloom extra special.
✨ They rely on underground fungi to survive, especially when young. Without healthy forest soils, they can’t grow.
✨ Picking or stepping near them can damage the fragile plant and soil network they depend on.

Have you seen any of these beauties in bloom yet? Watch for them from late may into June.

Wilderness Navigation In Person Workshop

Spend a full day building your skills in the outdoors!

🗓 Date: May 24, 2026
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (MT)
📍 Location: Meet at the HI Banff Alpine Centre (801 Hidden Ridge Way). We’ll kick things off indoors, then head out to the surrounding trails for hands-on practice. Come prepared for a full day in the elements.
👨‍🏫 Instructor: Mike Blake, ACMG Guide
🕒 PD Hours: 8
💲 Members: $95 | Non-members: $140

Ready to sharpen your skills in the field? Register here:

https://interpretiveguides.org/events/wilderness-navigation-2026/

MB Guiding