John Acorn, BSc, MSc

Faculty Serv Officer, Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sci - Renewable Resources Dept

Contact

Faculty Serv Officer, Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sci - Renewable Resources Dept
Email
jacorn@ualberta.ca
Phone
(780) 492-7202
Address
777 General Services Building
9007 - 116 St NW
Edmonton AB
T6G 2H1

Overview

About

Awards

  • 2013 - Entomological Foundation Medal of Honor
  • 2012 - Royal Society of Canada's McNeil Medal for Science Promotion and Awareness
  • 2010 - ASTech Excellence in Science and Technology Public Awareness Award
  • 2009-13 - Faculty Teacher of the Year award, Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences
  • 2008 - NSERC Michael Smith Award for Science Promotion.
  • 2005 - 2005 University of Alberta Distinguished Alumni Award.
  • 2003 - Carr Award for promotion of amateur entomology from the Entomological Society of Alberta.
  • 2000 - First Place in the Film and Video Category in the Emerald Awards of Interpretation Canada, for gallery videos at the Royal Tyrrell Museum (with McCloskey Productions).
  • 1998 - Alberta Science and Technology Leadership Awards Foundation Prize for Excellence in Science and Technology Journalism.
  • 2003 - 2003 Bowman Award for Lepidopteran discovery from the Alberta Lepidopterists’ Guild.
  • 2001 - First Place in the Film and Video Category in the awards of the U.S. National Association for Interpretation, for gallery videos at the Royal Tyrrell Museum (with McCloskey Productions).
  • 2005 - 2005 Alberta Book Design Awards: best design for "Damselflies of Alberta: Flying Neon Toothpicks in the Grass."

Research

Major Responsibilities/Research Interests

The University of Alberta Alumni Association awarded John Acorn the 2005 Distinguished Alumni Award. The Alumni Recognition Awards celebrate the diverse accomplishments of alumni and the recognition they bring to the University. Affectionately known around the world as the Nature Nut, John Acorn has shared his love for Alberta's entomology and natural history with the world. Acorn is an internationally known scientist, author and broadcaster whose career has been marked with creativity and a passion for science. The host and creative force behind the popular TV series Acorn, the Nature Nut, he has educated and entertained audiences worldwide. As a best-selling author, he has had a huge impact on amateur entomology, and his field guides have earned him numerous awards. As research associate at the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology and the E. H. Strickland Entomology Museum, Acorn continually goes beyond his professional commitments and generously gives his time to promote the field. He served as president of the Entomological Society of Alberta, and he participates in numerous other associations. Acorn's work has been honoured in many ways, including the Alberta Science and Technology Leadership Award Foundation Prize for Excellence in Science and Technology Journalism and two "Rosies" from the Alberta Motion Picture Industry Association.

Courses

REN R 205 - Wildlife Biodiversity and Ecology

Introduction to animals in the context of conservation, interactions with people, and roles in natural ecosystems. Labs provide a survey of Western Canadian animal life, both vertebrate and invertebrate, with emphasis on recognition of higher taxa and on hierarchical classification. Field trip. Requires payment of additional student instructional support fees. Refer to the Tuition and Fees page in the University Regulations section of the Calendar.


REN R 462 - Parks, Ecology, and Society

An overview of the diversity of management practices among protected areas, including national and provincial parks, interpreted in the context of the ongoing development of ecological science and environmentalism. Prerequisite: REN R 260. REN R 364 recommended.


REN R 467 - Environmental Interpretation and Science Communication

An overview of theories and methods of communication, as applied to environmental topics and general audiences. Includes discussion of environmental interpretation, science communication, audio-visual communication, and media skills.


REN R 566 - Parks, Ecology, and Society

An overview of the diversity of management practices among protected areas, including national and provincial parks, interpreted in the context of the ongoing development of ecological science and environmentalism. Prerequisite: REN R 260. REN R 364 recommended. Not to be taken if credit received for REN R 462 or 766.


REN R 567 - Environmental Interpretation and Science Communication

An overview of theories and methods of communication, as applied to environmental topics and general audiences. Includes discussion of environmental interpretation, science communication, audio-visual communication, and media skills. Not to be taken if credit received for REN R 467 or 764.


Browse more courses taught by John Acorn

Featured Publications

Glasier, J. R. N. and J. H. Acorn

Biological Survey of Canada. 2014 January; Arthropods of Canadian Grasslands (Volume) 4 (Biodiversity and Systematics Part 2):299-314


Acorn, John

Alberta Lepidopterists’ Guild Newsletter. 2014 January;


Acorn, John

American Entomologist. 2014 January;


Acorn, John

American Entomologist. 2014 January;


Bell, Phil R., Federico Fanti, John Acorn, and Robin S. Sissons

Journal of Paleontology.. 2014 January; 87 (1):146-149


Acorn, John

Alberta Lepidopterists’ Guild Newsletter. 2014 January;


Acorn, John

American Entomologist. 2014 January;


Acorn, John

American Entomologist. 2014 January;


Acorn, John

Alberta Lepidopterists’ Guild Newsletter. 2013 January; (Fall 2013):9-10


Acorn, John

American Entomologist.. 2013 January; 59 (2):127-128


Acorn, John

American Entomologist. 2013 January; 59 (3):190-192


Glasier, J.R.N., and J. H. Acorn

Coleopterists Bulletin.. 2013 January; 67 (2):188–189


Acorn, John

American Entomologist. 2013 January; 59 (4):255-256


Acorn, John

American Entomologist.. 2013 January; 59 (1):63-64


Acorn, John

Alberta Lepidopterists’ Guild Newsletter. 2013 January; (Fall 2013):5-6


Acorn, John

American Entomologist. 2012 January; 57


Acorn, John

American Entomologist. 2012 January; 57


Acorn, John

American Entomologist. 2012 January; 57


Murray, Alison M., Michael G. Sullivan, and John Acorn

Canadian Field-Naturalist. 2012 January; 125 (4):378-380


Acorn, John

American Entomologist. 2011 January; 56


Acorn, John

American Entomologist. 2011 January; 56


Acorn, John

American Entomologist. 2011 January; 56


Acorn, John

American Entomologist. 2011 January; 56


Acorn, John

American Entomologist. 2010 January; 56


Acorn, John

American Entomologist. 2010 January; 56


Acorn, John

American Entomologist. 2010 January; 56


Acorn, John

American Entomologist. 2010 January; 56


Acorn, John

2005 January;


Acorn, John

2003 January;


Acorn, John

The Encylopedia of Insects. 2003 January;


Acorn, John

2002 January;


Acorn, John

News of the Lepidopterists’ Society. 2002 January; 44


Acorn, John

2001 January;


Acorn, John

Lone Pine Publishing. 2001 January;


Acorn, John

2001 January;


Acorn, John

2000 January;


Acorn, John and Chris Fisher

1998 January;


Glasier, J.R.N., Acorn, J.H., Nielsen, S., Proctor, H.

Canadian Journal of Arthropod Identification. 22