BWI's History
The Boreal Wilderness Institute (BWI) strives to give it many diverse clients the best quality Modern Wilderness Survival and Wilderness Navigation instruction available. We hope you find that our courses and seminars are what you have been looking for in quality outdoor education. At BWI we offer the world class Modern Wilderness Survival Courses and Wilderness Navigation Courses available. We provide Wildlife Awareness, Wilderness Skill Building Programs, Custom Corporate & Group Training Programs, along with our Wilderness Certification Programme.
The Boreal Wilderness Institute has been dedicated since its founding in September of 1994 to providing the best quality wilderness instruction available. Our goal is to always provide expertly taught professional instruction in modern wilderness survival, wilderness navigation, winter and summer wilderness travel, wilderness leadership, and wilderness training method of instruction. We have and will continue to be a resource in the field through ongoing research, teaching, and practice.
The Boreal Wilderness Institute is a world class outdoor education institute. BWI strives in its wilderness programme's to create and sustain within each of its clients the undefeatable spirit which comes through successful wilderness travel. BWI offers a variety of courses and seminars teaching Outdoor Education throughout Western and Northern Canada. We regularly teach in Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Northern Canada.
BWI's Instructors:
Bruce Zawalsky CD, Chief Instructor
“Don't make the decision to survive too late.”
Bruce has over 18 years’ experience working as a Professional Wilderness Survival Instructor. His expertise at teaching modern wilderness survival, wilderness navigation, and safe wilderness travel skills ensures the best available training.
Bruce guided his first backpacking group in the mountains in 1981. Since then he has developed his skills in leading groups and team building at the University of Alberta, Augustana University College, PADI College, the Nordic Ski Institute, and through his military experience. He is a lifelong outdoor enthusiast, completing a 90 day 3600km Canoe Expedition as the highlight of his Outdoor Education training at the UofA.
Bruce has studied with Mors Kochanski and developed his teaching skills through years of instruction and practice. This along with his vast experience has allowed him to pass on his great wealth of knowledge of modern wilderness survival, wilderness navigation, and wilderness travel. He the author of the Canadian Wilderness Survival (a manual/handbook on modern wilderness survival) and is also our Custom Training Specialist.
“The critical difference between a cold wet group who sets up camp and a group that decides to push on is the former have already made the decision to survive and the latter is heading into a potentially critical survival situation.”
James "Jim" Hawley RN, Instructor
"Survival is simply the art of being prepared to live well everywhere you plan to go."
Jim is an individual who never loses his smile even in the worst conditions. He is an EMT, First Aid Instructor and a Registered Nurse, who has worked for the Canadian Army, Alberta Forestry, and in the Far East as a field medic. He has also studied Jungle Survival and Extreme Cold Weather Travel. Jim always shows great drive and determination along with a truly professional outlook on safe wilderness travel.
“Vera Doctrina Avium” – Join us for a Real Education
