Brian Keating

Brian Keating

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Award Winning Conservationist, Educator, Naturalist and WildLife Expert

Brian Keating is an international keynote speaker and a former Honorary Conservation Advisor who raises money for environmental projects around the world. He previously held the position of “Head of Conservation Outreach” at the Calgary Zoo, which enabled him to raise money and then spend it on environmental projects around the world. He shares his experiences, insights, and expertise by leading groups on nature-based travel for three decades, exploring some of the best wildlife areas on the planet.

He’s been leading groups on nature-based travel for three decades, exploring some of the best wildlife areas on the Planet. He’s a weekly guest on both Calgary and Edmonton’s CBC Radio, and for many years, was a regular on the Discovery Channel, using his own wilderness adventure and wildlife filming. Brian Keating is one of those rare speakers who immediately captures your attention, creating a memorable experience that audiences will remember for years to come.

His stories and experiences entertain and educate about the natural world and all living things, sharing the natural systems & animal patterns that impact our world while also sharing the impact we have on them. He’s in high demand as an international speaker. His speaking style would best be described as buoyant, fast-paced, humorous, and always uplifting and meaningful. His talks have proven themselves the highlight of many conferences and special events. He’s also written five books designed for ages 8 – 14, these books are real-life stories of wildlife exploration and adventure, designed to get children excited about exploring this amazing world we live in.

Brian Keating’s previous job at the Zoo was to raise money and then spend it on environmental projects around the world. Presently, he’s the Zoo’s Honourary Conservation Advisor in their outreach efforts. He is also a part-time Adjunct Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the University of Calgary. Brian Keating is in high demand as an international speaker, presenting at some 50 events a year. Brian’s style would best be described as buoyant, fast-paced, humorous, and always uplifting and meaningful. His talks have proven themselves the highlight of many conferences and special events. He’s also the author of five children’s books celebrating nature. [expand]

Brian Keating is a pilot, naturalist, scuba diver, and mountaineer. He also is the owner of Going Wild. His wife, Dee, is a physician and keen naturalist who always joins him on his adventures. Together, they have explored nearly 50 countries on all seven continents in the last quarter century. 

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Speaking topics

A Natural Relationship: A Presentation On The Need To Encourage And Nurture A Bond With Nature, For Us And For The Planet

Brian Keating, former Head of Conservation Outreach at the Calgary Zoo, is an adventurer, world traveller, and leader of some 80 expeditions to remote locations around the world. This experience, coupled with his earlier career of running the Zoo’s education program for some 15 years, has given him an unusual insight into the importance of nature appreciation in both young and old.

To highlight what has been termed the “Nature Deficit Disorder”, Brian intends to take you on a journey exploring the importance of the natural experience, the effects on health and psychological well-being, and the basic need to stay connected with the very substance that makes us human. Brian will take you on a visual journey to some very special places to illustrate his discussion on the importance of ‘unplugging’ and getting outside.

Using his informative and often humorous method of live-narrated video, he promises to share some very special natural moments, guaranteed to drive home the message that a greener planet is not only nice but necessary for our very survival.

Sacred Groves: A Spirit Lifting Journey Into Some Of The Planet’s Best Wilderness Locations

Brian Keating has been travelling the wilds of the world for over a quarter of a century, exploring some 50 countries on all 7 continents. His passion for remote travel will be revealed as only Brian can do, with his buoyant method of storytelling. Punctuated throughout with humour and personal anecdotes, he’ll illustrate his presentation with his own live-narrated video segments.

His first experience with Sacred Groves was in a remote, dusty and forgotten corner of Ghana, West Africa. Since then, his interest in these small forested fragments and their biological significance has taken him on an exploration into Ethiopia, where Sacred Groves number in the thousands. The relevance of these isolated islands of diversity has since led him back to Canada, where some of his discoveries will most certainly surprise and intrigue you.

His presentation is designed to inspire and enthuse, offering hope for a better tomorrow.

Cold Leadership: A Presentation Illustrating The Extraordinary Leadership Capabilities Of The Failed Antarctic Expedition Of Ernest Shackleton

Keating plans on taking you on a voyage through one of the most astounding wilderness survival adventures of all time, illustrating the brilliant leadership qualities that enabled Shackleton to return home without a single loss of life. He’ll then take you into the icy waters of the Antarctic using his informative method of live-narrated video, to witness the life-abundance of sea birds, seals, whales and penguins, exploring this hauntingly beautiful icescape.

Going Wild: A Spirit-Lifting Journey Into Some Of The Planets Best Wilderness Locations

A spirit-lifting journey into some of the planet’s best wilderness locations.  Brian has explored some 50 countries on all 7 continents.

His passion for remote travel will be revealed as only Brian can do, with his buoyant method of story telling. Using humour and personal anecdotes and his own live-narrated video segments, he’ll take you into gin-clear ocean depths with unbelievable creatures, to deserts and rich tropical forests, and to places where wildlife numbers leave one overwhelmed and amazed.

To conclude, he’ll return to our own Canadian backyard, reconfirming the value of our wild spaces. This presentation is designed to inspire and enthuse, offering hope for a better tomorrow.

Natural Re-charge: Connecting The Elements Of Nature For Self Care & Wellbeing

A spirit-lifting adventure that blends and compares wildlife adaptations to our own everyday survival abilities and life choices. Feeling a little overwhelmed with your everyday demands at work and at home? Is the new technology leaving you breathless? Our technological explosion is pushing us to work faster, harder, and more efficiently, and all with fewer people and support. And on all of this, there are your family’s needs too! What should we do to enable all of us to lead a healthier, better balanced life?

Leave town. That’s right, get out…..!

Brian uses the mountains as a metaphor to creatively illustrate some of life’s exciting options and possibilities. It’s a story that passionately illustrates the pure joy of life in high places, illustrating with a buoyant pace, the importance of taking time out for number one…..you! This is a buoyant and humorous program with a solid ecological message that encourages people to get the most out of life and life’s possibilities.

In this presentation, Brian uses (computer) slides and video to illustrate the story. The slides and video segments are projected (using a standard LCD video projector) and live-narrated to best fit the expectations of the audience.

Video clips

Brian Keating

The Hippo Whisperer

Speaker testimonials

You have a gift Brian, of being able to transport people to amazing places in the world, by connecting people’s hearts and minds to your presentation.

Red Deer | Catholic School

The image of the Chamber has always been ‘stuffy’ over the decades and we wanted to show a fun side. I think your presentation hit the spot.

Chamber of Commerce, Calgary

You are truly irrepressible and a marvellous spokesman for nature.

Heritage Community Foundation, Edmonton

The inspiration to go hiking and climbing is overwhelming. Thank you for showing our school the beauty, majesty and fragility of our own backyard.

Simon Fraser Staff & Students

Your wonderful presentation was a fantastic way to conclude a very successful conference…you were an integral part of an informative and entertaining conference.

Association of California School Administrators

The audience was spellbound. Brian Keating’s talk was highly entertaining, funny, and memorable — education at its best.

Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area

As with all of your presentations that I have been able to attend, this one was equally if not more inspirational and very motivational. You add so much enthusiasm, motivation and life to all your presentations

Animal Resource Centre | University of Calgary

I have had so many clients call to rave about you and your presentation. Thanks so much for making our evening one to remember by all who came.

Portfolio Strategies Corporation

Your emphasis on the individual personality of animals (walrus and beaver) really got the groups attention. It was extremely well done. What an irony that you travel the whole world, yet have such a significant experience on an island in the river in your own backyard! Several people commented upon what a great choice you were for a guest speaker. Many marveled at your enthusiasm and energy, which was infectious.

Alberta Sustainable Resource Development

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