The campaign to conserve Bunchberry Meadows

The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC), a not-for-profit, private land conservation group, along with the Edmonton and Area Land Trust (EALT), has acquired Bunchberry Meadows. The 260-hectare (640-acre) parcel of land is located just 30 kilometres from downtown Edmonton and approximately two kilometres from the North Saskatchewan River.

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.

Going forward, NCC and EALT will collaborate on the ongoing management of Bunchberry. They will conduct wildlife species inventories, install bird boxes and host public volunteer activities to steward the site.

Generous families

The conservation of Bunchberry Meadows is only possible because five local families who owned the land have cared for it for more than 40 years.

Over those years, they kept Bunchberry Meadows intact while the surrounding lands and the city of Edmonton underwent significant development. The property is now surrounded by acerages, airports, roadways, bridges and industrial habitat. This makes it increasingly difficult to find relatively untouched wild spaces where families and children can connect to nature.

Family members chose to donate a portion of this project to NCC under the Government of Canada’s Ecological Gifts Program. The program protects ecologically sensitive land while offering significant tax benefits. Thanks to the generosity of these families, the natural values of the area will be conserved for generations to come. 

Donors

This project was completed with the support of:

• Families of the Parkland Syndicate
• Government of Canada
• Edmonton and Area Land Trust
• Government of Alberta
• John & Barbara Poole Family Funds
• Parkland County
• Carol & Rae Allen and Family
• Johanna & Otto Holzapfel

Help support ongoing stewardship

The campaign to raise funds for the purchase of Bunchberry is complete, but there will be ongoing stewardship costs. Any funding to keep this land so that children and families can connect with and explore nature are greatly appreciated by NCC and all Canadians.

NCC is a registered charity. All donations over $10 are eligible for a tax receipt (in some cases tax receipts will be worth half of the value of the donation).

Support Bunchberry Meadows in the Capital Conservation Region.