Bunchberry Meadows
Bunchberry Meadows is a very special place. Located approximately 30 kilometres outside of downtown Edmonton, this 260-hectare (640-acre) conservation site is made up of old-growth forests, open meadows and wetlands. The forest supports jack pine, which is habitat for northern flying squirrels, porcupines and long-tailed weasels. The water and willows shelter a variety of species as small as tiger salamander and as large as moose.
Owned in partnership with the Edmonton and Area Land Trust, Bunchberry Meadows is open to the public year-round for foot access.
To estimate the number of users on Bunchberry Meadows, the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is using trail counters supplied from TRAFx. To learn more about these counters, please click here.
User ethics and access guidelines
2024 fall property closure
The months of September and October are an important time for plants and wildlife on Bunchberry Meadows property. Birds are migrating, and ungulates are rutting, making them sensitive to disturbance. To limit disturbance, property access will be available via guided tours only during this time. Thank you for supporting conservation and respecting the closure.
NCC will be hosting guided fall foliage tours on select weekends, from September 20th to October 18th, 2024. For more information please see the Nature Conservancy of Canada Eventbrite or go to the Nature Conservancy of Canada website, under What You Can Do, click Events and look for Bunchberry Meadows Fall Foliage Tour dates.
To inspire the next generation of conservation leaders, Inside Education is hosting nature-based learning opportunities for school children throughout the closure. We look forward to seeing you on a guided tour or welcoming you back on October 31, 2024.
The Bunchberry Meadows Conservation Area is privately owned and managed by NCC and the Edmonton Area Land Trust. During the months outside of September and October, users are welcome to hike, cross-country ski, snowshoe and connect with nature, but we ask that you follow these rules of access:
• The property is open daily from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m.
• Access the site on foot only. Horseback riding, bicycles and OHV use are not permitted.
• No hunting.
• No dogs on site.
• Do not smoke or light campfires.
• Refrain from using camp stoves and BBQs.
• Liquor is prohibited.
• Stay on designated trails.
• Dispose of your garbage in the receptacles provided.
• Respect wildlife and give them space.
• Refrain from collecting plants, mushrooms and berries.
• Do not use electronic surveillance devices.
• Do not place geocaches on the property.
Directions
From Edmonton:
- Head west on Whitemud Drive.
- Turn south onto 215 St/Winterburn Road (6.5 km).
- Turn west onto Highway 627/Maskekosihk Trail (1.6 km).
- Turn south onto Range Road 261/Fleming Drive (5.6 km).
- The entrance to Bunchberry Meadows will be on your right.
Click here to find Bunchberry Meadows on Google Maps.
The campaign to conserve Bunchberry Meadows
The campaign for Bunchberry Meadows was officially launched in Edmonton on May 21, 2015. Since then, Edmontonians have stepped up in support so that this special community amenity could be created.
Learn more about the campaign to conserve Bunchberry Meadows.
This project was completed with the help of the Government of Canada under the Natural Areas Conservation Program and the Alberta Land Trust Grant program and opened to the public with the support of Federated Co-op's Community Spaces.
