Wetlands Alberta

An internationally renowned and recognized staging area for 270+ species of birds, Beaverhill Lake is one of only a few federally recognized Bird Sanctuaries in Canada and home of the annual Snow Goose Festival in April. Nature’s Marsh, a small natural area and self-guided walk, is found behind the Nature Centre.

Pearce Estate Park Interpretive Wetland and Ducks Unlimited Canada Marsh at the Bow Habitat Station. A unique collection of constructed wetlands in the heart of Calgary.

A boardwalk and established trails make this an excellent destination for a family outing. More than a hundred species of birds live in this habitat of marshes, sand hills, meadows, and aspen and pine woods.

An oxbow pond nestled beside the beautiful cottonwood forest of the Oldman River. A short walk from the parking lot to the wetland will be rewarded with an abundance of wildlife viewing opportunities. Located beside the Bridge Valley Golf Course on Highway 3A W (Bridge Road), access the wetlands from the Helen Schuler Coulee Centre.

Designated one of Canada’s 597 Important Bird Areas (IBA), Frank Lake is a productive wetland important to hundreds of bird species.

Frank Lake is one of DUC‘s primary outdoor classroom destinations in southern Alberta. Thousands of students have come to Frank Lake on field trips to learn about the role wetlands play in nature and how that affects our lives.

Inglewood Bird Sanctuary is a 34-hectare (80 acre) site located in a federal migratory bird sanctuary along the Bow River in Calgary. The site is dominated by a mature, riparian forest. The migration monitoring station has been operated by the Calgary Bird Banding Society since 1992.

An internationally recognized wetland that has tremendous wildlife values, particularly for waterfowl and shorebirds.

Located on the shores of Big Lake, the Park was established on April 19, 2005, becoming Alberta’s 69th provincial park. Big Lake is a freshwater wetland ecosystem surrounded by small deciduous and coniferous woodlands. The lake is globally recognized as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International because it supports large nesting grounds and many migrating waterfowl and shorebirds.

This urban park is home to Crystal Lake, a rich prairie wetland with wildlife viewing facilities, as well as quiet picnic sites and paved trails encircling the lake.

Situated between Saskatoon Lake and Little Lake, and one of Alberta’s first provincial parks, the Park offers a mosaic of forests, wetlands, shrub lands and native prairie provides habitat for an amazing variety of plants and animals.

Situated on the shores of Bennett Lake, the landscape surrounding round the Wilderness Centre includes a spruce bog, aspen stand and parkland meadows.

The Wagner Natural Area (also known as the Wagner Bog) is a rich calcareous peatland and is a prime example of a rich spring fen. Its diversity of habitats, flora and fauna make it an important area for amateur naturalists, as well as students and professional biologists.

Kerry Wood Nature Centre & Gaetz Lake Sanctuary at Waskasoo Park
The Gaetz Lake Sanctuary was Alberta’s first federal migratory bird preserve. Now part of Waskasoo Park, the Sanctuary’s 118 hectares (approx. 300 acres are set aside as a home for plants, mammals and birds.