Waterton-Glacier Science & History Day 2025

Waterton presentation schedule

9:45 am: Welcome, opening remarks

10:00 am: Prohibition to present: The history of the Prince of Wales Hotel

Explore the rich history of the Prince of Wales Hotel, one of Waterton’s most iconic landmarks. Learn about connections to Glacier National Park during the prohibition era, its role in shaping visitor experiences, and its lasting place in the story of Waterton.

Speaker: Ray Djuff; author of High On A Windy Hill, whose passion for Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park began while working at the Prince of Wales Hotel in the 1970s.

11:20 am: Discovering dark skies and advancing astrotourism

Discover how the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park became the world’s first International Dark Sky Park. Join us to explore the rise of dark sky conservation. Keith Robinson takes us on a journey from accidental advocate to regional leader in astrotourism; and how local guides are promoting small businesses, sustainable tourism, and ways to create memorable experiences with the disappearing night skies.

Speaker: Keith Robinson; third-generation Waterton resident, tour guide, and co-founder of Dark Sky Guides Ltd.

12:00 pm: One hour break

1:00 pm: Innovative aquatic invasive species research

University of Alberta researchers are working to better understand whirling disease and the role a species of worm plays in disease transmission. Whirling disease is caused by the parasite Myxobolus cerebralis and requires both this worm species and salmonid fish to complete its life cycle. There is no treatment for whirling disease. Once introduced, eliminating this parasite from water bodies is almost impossible.

Speakers: Patrick Hanington and Hannah Veinot; University of Alberta. Patrick is a Professor and Associate Dean at the School of Public Health. Hannah is completing a Master of Science in Environmental Health.

1:50 pm: Special screening of Losing Blue

What does it mean to lose a colour? Losing Blue is a cinematic poem about losing the otherworldly blues of ancient mountain lakes, now fading due to climate change. With stunning cinematography, this short doc immerses the viewer in the magnificence of these rare lakes, pulling us in to stand on their rocky shores, witness their power and understand what their loss would mean—both for ourselves and for the Earth.

Speaker: Brett Hutchinson; Parks Canada Interpretation Coordinator, Waterton Lakes National Park.

2:30 pm: Closing remarks