A new green space you can explore is in the works just outside Edmonton
A new 65-hectare conservation project east of Edmonton will store water during wet periods and release it slowly during droughts, and you’ll be able to check out the new green space in the near future.
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) says the West Wanisan Lake conservation project, announced on Monday, will also protect wildlife habitat and give people a chance to explore an internationally significant region in Edmonton’s backyard.
NCC
The property includes wetlands and forests and sits on the Cooking Lake Moraine, one of the highest points in the region. Rain and snow that fall here are stored in wetlands and gravelly soils, which act like giant sponges, absorbing water during storms and spring melt, then slowly releasing it to refill local aquifers that supply nearby communities.
Some of the property’s most notable residents include beavers, which build dams that slow water, store moisture, reduce downstream flooding and keep streams and wetlands wet longer during dry periods.
Brent Calver/NCC
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“Water is such a critical resource â the Beaver Hills are full of wetland habitats, but water levels have been suffering due to increased heat in the summer and less sustained precipitation over the year,” said Bob Montgomery, executive director of the Beaver Hills Biosphere. “The new West Wanisan Lake conservation site will be critical to maintaining the natural groundwater in the area.”
Beaver Lodge and Dams, West Wanisan Lake by Kasia Podilsky/NCC Staff
The announcement comes on the 10th anniversary of the Beaver Hills Biosphere as a UNESCO-designated region recognized for the balance between people and nature. Conserving land and wetlands here helps keep water in the lakes, provides homes for wildlife and supports the overall health of the landscape.
Key donors and partners with the project included Cenovus Energy, the Government of Canada, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Keyera.
The property is being prepared for public access, and visitors will be able to enjoy it once site preparations are complete. More information can be found on the NCC website.