Throughout his childhood, Owen Wilson regularly went camping in Ontario's provincial parks with his family, which inspired his lifelong passion for nature and conservation. This passion, combined with his interest in politics, led Wilson to Carleton University's bachelor of public affairs and policy management program, where he specialized in environmental and sustainable energy policy.

During his degree, he also became fascinated by the role of urban and regional planning in conservation and sustainable development, especially after working as a policy assistant with the Canadian Institute of Planners. Outside of his degree, Wilson's passion for the environment motivated him to volunteer as a youth water leader with the Ottawa Riverkeepers, and to spend his summers working at Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba, and Grundy Lake Provincial Park, Ontario, to gain first-hand experience in conservation.