Jim Chapel
Jim spent many wonderful years exploring the flora and fauna of High Park in Toronto. His school visits to the Boyne River Natural Science School fuelled his passion for the natural environment. He attended Sir Sandford Fleming Natural Resource College in Lindsay. His love for wildlife and native art drew him to the Buckhorn Wildlife Art Festival (where he met Debra Lynn Ireland). Jim pursued an undergraduate degree and then a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. For nearly 20 years he has enhanced the Life Science component of the Ontario curriculum by offering creative and dynamic science presentations through his company Raven Nature Education Specialists to the Toronto Catholic District School Board. He also presents to schools in the Greater Toronto Area and Southern Ontario.
Carol Porter
Carol grew up in the beautiful forest and lake country of northern Wisconsin. She moved to Toronto, Ontario to marry her husband, Ron, and developed a strong interest in early childhood education while raising their two young children. She then added to her Bachelor of Science degree, completing a Bachelor of Education degree in 1990 (where she met Jim Chapel). She has taught early primary grades for the Toronto District School Board for 20 years. Throughout her teaching career, she took great pleasure in creatively integrating science and outdoor nature activities with language, mathematics, music, and art. Carol has introduced many young readers to the magic that awaits them in the world of fiction and non-fiction books.
Debra Lynn Ireland
Debra Lynn Ireland spent much of her childhood exploring the Scarborough Bluffs,the Rouge Valley and local ravines. She also volunteered at the Toronto Humane Society’s Rehabilitation Department and fostered raccoons and squirrels at home. Debra went on to study
graphic design at George Brown College in Toronto. While freelancing in this field for a number of years she found herself painting wildlife in her free time. Debra finds inspiration in real life experiences with wildlife from around her home in Northern Ontario and other places she has visited. Debra’s wildlife art has been recognized by national and international organizations that are dedicated to the appreciation and preservation of wildlife. Even now with two young children, Debra continues to pursue her art career, but most of all she enjoys watching her boys’ first experiences with the wildness that surrounds us all.