Wed, Aug 4 2021 - Trek The Trails/ Hidden Gems Series: Bunchberry Meadows Conservation Area (View Original Event Details)
|
Amazing mid-summer hike with a lot of new members joining us. We started with the outside loop of Aspen Parkland Trail, and the Tamarack Trail, which had a tunnel of shade and cooler evening air through larch trees and peat bogs. We then looped back along the Aspen Parkland trail to "Blueberry" connector (sorry no real blueberries Miriam) before looping back to the parking lot. A little more history: Bunchberry Meadows Conservation Area is located in the Devon Dunes Environmentally Significant Area. The area has a highly sensitive aquifer under sandy soils. The close proximity of the Bunchberry Meadows Conservation Area to the Clifford E. Lee Nature Sanctuary, North Saskatchewan River Valley, and the University of Alberta Botanic Gardens provides a significant habitat corridor and greater landscape connectivity in the region for wildlife. After the last iceage, meltwater created glacial Lake Edmonton, and much of the material was deposited in the east side of Parkland County. The deltaic sediments from Lake Edmonton were blown by post- glacial winds into unique sand dune formations. These dunes, the Devon Dunes, are unique in that they represent a field of sand dunes formed from deltaic sediments – there is no other such landscape in the Edmonton region, and they have associated unique plant community features. Jointly conserved for over 40 years by several families, the Bunchberry property faced continued pressure from development, as the population of Edmonton and surrounding municipalities has been rapidly expanding. Edmonton Area Land Trust (EALT) now owns Bunchberry Meadows in partnership with NCC, and since 2016 began working to steward the land in perpetuity, for the benefit of all people and wildlife. The property is now open to the public for year-round foot access, and includes several kilometres of trails to enjoy. This is an ideal and special conservation area to visit and connect with nature. Thanks again to all who joined and enjoyed this little oasis near Edmonton. Mark G Edmonton Outdoor Club (EOC)
Have some photos from this event that you'd like to share in our photo album? Please forward them to Mark G at photos@edmontonoutdoorclub.com. If you have a LOT of photos, please submit up to thirty of your favourites (only) for a day event, or up to sixty of your favourites for a multi-day event. Thank you.