|
One with nature
Ecotourism is a segment of sustainable tourism that offers experiences
that enable visitors to discover natural areas while preserving their integrity,
and to understand, through interpretation and education, the natural and cultural
sense of place. It fosters respect towards the environment, reflects sustainable
business practices, creates socio-economic benefits for communities/regions,
and recognizes and respects local and indigenous cultures, traditions and values.
Birdwatching
You have to be a birdwatcher to hike in Strathcona County
. . . you can't help it! There are over 230 species of birds including trumpeter
swans and pelicans.
Nature buffs and bird watchers enjoy the County's numerous
nature spots: Ministik Bird Sanctuary, Collingwood Cove, Hastings Lake, Kawtikh
Retreat, North Cooking Lake, North Bruderheim, Astotin, Baseline Pond, Bretona
Pond and the locations described below.
The Edmonton Nature Club offers local field trips, nature walks, Sunday drives,
and other activities. You do not have to be a member to participate.
For a listing
of events you can pick up a copy of Nature Networks newsletter at the Wildbird General
Store, or call (780) 439-7333.
Hiking and wildlife viewing
Elk Island National Park
Elk Island National Park is just 20 minutes east of Sherwood
Park on Highway 16. This 195-square kilometre (75-square mile) park was established
in 1906. It is home to 2,000 beavers, 1,800 elk, 800 bison, 375 moose, and 350
deer. Explore the park on 100 kilometres of hiking and cross-country ski trails.
Enjoy canoeing around the islands on Astotin Lake. There is a nine-hole golf
course, an 78-site campground, numerous picnic areas, a theatre, outdoor exhibits
and, of course, a bison paddock.
For more information, call (780) 922-5790 from May to August, or year-round
at (780) 992-2950.
Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Recreation Area
Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Provincial Recreation, Wildlife and
Grazing Area is located 23 kilometres (14 miles) east of Sherwood Park, immediately
south of Elk Island National Park. This 97-square kilometre (37-square miles)
area is a provincial multi-use site. The area integrates cattle grazing, wildlife
management and public outdoor recreation activities such as cross-country skiing,
mountain-biking, canoeing, hiking, picnicking, horseback riding and snowmobiling.
For more information, call (780) 922-3293.
The Waskahegan Trail
The Waskahegan Trail is a 235 km long volunteer managed trail allowing
excellent day hiking, backpacking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. The
trail is available for use year round by the general public. The Waskahegan Trail Association organizes weekly Sunday hikes throughout the
year. Hikes are on different trails each week and usually go for about 10 km
or 6 to 7 hours. Walking schedules are published on the Waskahegan Trail Association website.
Strathcona Wilderness Centre
At the Strathcona Wilderness Centre visitors experience
the outdoors! This popular hiking and cross-country skiing spot features 12
kilometres of trails that wind their way through the aspen parkland forest and
along the shore of Bennett Lake. The centre is also a great location for canoeing,
snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, wildlife watching, orienteering, nature interpretation
and more. The Strathcona Wilderness Centre offers 550 acres of natural serenity.
Nestled among the tall stands of poplar, friends, families
and groups can camp in primitive campsites, eight-person bunkhouses or stay
in the centre's modern pine lodge. Strathcona Wilderness Centre also provides
a variety of programs for people of all ages, including residential retreats
and school programs. The Wilderness Centre is also wheelchair accessible.
Paddle across Bennett Lake and view wildlife and waterfowl!
This natural paradise offers canoe rentals throughout the summer. A broad spectrum
of wildlife can be viewed by canoe. Strathcona Wilderness Centre is located
16 kilometres (10 miles) east of Sherwood Park on Baseline Road (Township Road
530) and Range Road 212. For more information phone (780) 922-3939 or visit the Strathcona Wilderness Centre website.
Sherwood
Park Natural Area
Sherwood Park Natural Area offers bird watching and hiking on 3 kilometres of walking trails. Retrace the steps of pioneers along Old Edmonton Trail, or spot moose from the wildlife-watching platform in this quarter section of aspen forest. The area is located 4 kilometres south of Wye Road on Range Road 231.
South Cooking Lake Park
South Cooking Lake Park is a great spot for your family picnic.
You can relax on a sandy beach or enjoy motor boating, windsurfing, or sailing
on the lake. This park includes boat launch, walking trails, picnic sites, waterfowl
viewing areas and a large grassed area for games. The Park is located 19 kilometres
southeast of Sherwood Park on the south shore of Cooking Lake. The South Cooking
Lake Sailing Club is just 2 kilometres away. This site holds weekly sailing
races through the summer.
For more information, call (780) 464-0801.
The Wilderness Corridor
Beaverhills officially known as Beaverhills - Cooking Lake Moraine spans into
five separate Counties and includes Elk Island National Park, the Cooking Lake-Blackfoot
Recreation Area and Beaverhill Lake which is a designated RAMSAR site.
RAMSAR is a convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially Waterfowl
Habitat, called Ramsar convention, provides framework for conservation of the
world’s wetlands. The treaty was first held in Ramsar, Iran in 1971 meeting
every three years in Switzerland. Today, 106 nations are members of the treaty.
As members, each must designate wetlands of international importance for inclusion
in a list of “Ramsar sites”. There are more than 900 Ramsar sites
covering more than 97 million hectares of wetland habitat world wide.
 Beaverhills
map
Communities in Bloom
Communites in Bloom is a Canadian beautification program. This program provides
information, education and awards Bloom Ratings for achievement in floral displays,
landscapes, turf, urban forestry, community involvement, heritage conservation
environmental awareness and tidiness.
Aboriginal program
Elk Island Retreat
Visit Elk Island Retreat in Strathcona County for their Aboriginal cultural
education program. Learn about the traditional Aboriginal ceremonies, the importance
of traditional teachings in today's world, visit the tipis and make your own
bannock. Reservations required. For more information, call Phone
(780) 998-0708 or visit the Elk Island Retreat website.
Star gazing
The Royal Astronomical Society of
Canada hosts observing sessions at the Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area.These
sessions are typically held on the weekend nearest to or before the New
Moon and are open to the public.This is a unique opportunity for anyone
interested in astronomy or a great way to become interested in astronomy.
For more information visit the Edmonton RASC website.
|
