Hailing from Saskatchewan, Jenn Smith Nelson is an award-winning freelance travel writer, photographer and author. She’s been published in four countries and in four languages, contributing hundreds of articles to 25+ outlets including enRoute, Globe and Mail, Canadian Geographic, Toronto Star, explore Magazine, Best Health Magazine, Nuvo, A Birder’s Guide to Travel and more. She also appears as a travel expert on CBC Saskatchewan’s The Morning Edition and Global News Morning Regina.
Jenn often writes about connecting with nature, wildlife, family and adventure travel. She co-authored her first book 110 Nature Hot Spots in Manitoba and Saskatchewan and has contributed to other titles including 150 Nature Hot Spots in Canada and A Gelato a Day.
Current Portfolio
The Perfect Trip to Scottsdale
CanadianTraveller.com
“Excuse me,” I say to my Uber driver, “do you know if birds nest in those holes?” I’m referring to the many cool cacti I spot roadside during my 25-minute ride from Phoenix to Scottsdale.
“Yep, those are Saguaro cacti. I’m pretty sure other animals use them too.”
Testing the Waters
CAA
Volunteer stewards work to protect our freshwater lakes, rivers and streams.
Any of us look at a lake in summer and see peace and inspiration—a place for boating, swimming or just a little bit of relaxation. For others, the relationship goes much deeper. When Max Abraham looks out across Saskatchewan’s Pike Lake, about 20 minutes south of Saskatoon, he sees home.
Camp Wolf Willow: Catch the Sandhill Crane Migration
explore-mag.com
It’s September, just one month since my last visit to Camp Wolf Willow and a dramatic transformation of the landscape has occurred. Tall cattails have shrunken and wildflowers are no longer blooming, but it’s every bit as unspoiled and beautiful with the colourful leaves turned from green to yellow and orange.
MNS Guardians: The Past, the Present and the Future
In partnership with Métis Nation Saskatchewan and Canadian Geographic
Who are the Indigenous Guardians?
Serving as on-the-ground knowledge keepers of traditional territories, at the core of the Indigenous Guardians program is the sacred right and responsibility to reclaim authority, stewardship and conservation of land, water and animals.
*not available for distribution
Boreal Foraging
explore Magazine
Take a journey into the world of foraging—and cooking au naturel—in the golden fall foliage of northern Alberta. It’s a bluebird day and golden yellow leaves crunch under my feet as I follow a narrow pathway, hiking behind Kevin Kossowan into the Tawatinaw River Valley in Rochester, Alberta.
*not available for distribution as explore is subscription based. Subscribe today!
Cultural Immersion by Sea
Toronto Star
The sky is gloomy in Port Hardy, B.C., with a slit of sunshine trying to break through as I head to the dock to meet Mike Willie, co-owner of Coastal Rainforest Safaris (CRS). “I did a Sundance for you today,” he says, welcoming me and three other travellers with a wide grin. We step eagerly into Big Red, a slick, 27-foot Zodiac-style boat with four bench seats perfect for 360-degree views. Today’s half-day tour will have us scouring the wildlife-rich waters of the Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw territory.
Getting to Know the Locals in BC’s Scenic Desolation Sound
explore Magazine
Cheh che ha thech (I welcome you), sings Randy Louie as he beats his drum – the sounds echoing across the mirror-like, deep waters of Homfray Channel. Klahoose Wilderness Resort juts out from behind hm from a scenic tapestry of towering cedars, Douglas-firs and western hemlocks.
*not available for distribution as explore is subscription based. Subscribe today!
Travel Stories from Across the Globe
enRoute
I had travelled to B.C.’s Great Bear Rainforest to meet guide Mike Willie, a hereditary chief who took me to explore his homeland, Kingcome Inlet. The day was still. Low clouds hung beside pine–covered mountains as we cruised glassy sedge–lined passageways looking for wildlife. We quickly bonded over wolves and our uncanny connections to the species.
The Perfect Day in Regina
enRoute
A warm and welcoming city, Saskatchewan’s capital, with a population just shy of 230,000, is often a surprise for first-time visitors. Regina’s lush Wascana Park is its crowning gem – a sprawling, inner–city paradise where 300,000 trees were planted by hand.
A Guide to Chiloé Island
Nuvo.com
One of Chile’s best-kept secrets.
Boutique hotels in Chile showcase the country’s stunning natural beauty – HotelAddict (hotel-addict.com)
HotelAddict.com
Two Patagonia properties help connect guests to their gorgeous surroundings.
Great BIG Nature articles
Canada.com
Conservation, wildlife and nature themed articles produced for Canada.com in 2020 in collaboration with Great BIG nature.
A Journey to the Past
enRoute
Dart tips, cutting tools, pottery sherds and bison bones (some of which predate the Egyptian pyramids) have been unearthed at Wanuskewin Heritage Park in Saskatoon. Ernie Walker, an archaeologist at the University of Saskatchewan, founded the 600-acre park in 1992.
An Urban Safari
enRoute
Legend has it that 50 years ago the Argentine government shipped a crate of wild monk parakeets to New York in an attempt to control populations and make a profit (the birds were destined for pet stores). But the parakeets escaped.
Red, White and Brew
Brewers Journal
“You’ve arrived in the sunny Okanagan in prime season for fruit,” says the taxi driver during the shuttle from the airport to my hotel. Feeling fortunate, in addition to all the fresh apples, peaches, apricots and more, I’m with a small group of journalists for what promises to be a tasty experience – of breweries, that is.
The World Through My Lense
