The notable history behind one of Calgary's best wildlife viewing spots
Located along the Bow River in southeast Calgary, the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary and Nature Centre has provided birds and other wildlife with a place to land and rest for nearly a century.
According to the City of Calgary, the site’s history dates back to 1883, when Colonel James Walker settled the land along the Bow River. By 1910, a brick home called Inglewood had been built on the property, and the surrounding area eventually took its name from the residence.
Walker lived there with his family, including his son Selby. In 1929, Selby applied to the federal government to have 59 acres along the west side of the Bow River officially protected as a Migratory Bird Sanctuary. The request was approved, and the site was established.
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After Selby’s death in 1953, a man named Ed Jefferies acquired the land and leased it to the Alberta Fish & Game Association. It wasn’t until 1970 that the City of Calgary purchased the land.
Ever since the City of Calgary purchased the land, they have managed it as a natural reserve. In 1996, the Nature Centre was added to the land, bringing a focus on education, restoration and public access to the site. Since then, ongoing restoration projects have helped bring native habitat back to the river valley.
For anyone super interested in the history of Inglewood and the bird sanctuary, the Historic Colonel Walker House still stands on the site today and is a Registered Historic Resource. It is used as a private residence and a base for volunteers who help care for the area.
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Today, the sanctuary is home to an impressive mix of wildlife, with records showing 270 species of birds, 21 species of mammals, and 347 species of plants to date, and it remains one of the most prominent green spaces in the city.
It is home to a network of trails where visitors can walk through and spot wildlife up close, including a forest bathing trail that is designed to support well-being and guide you on a sensory exploration through the area