Beaver River Naturalists

Beaver River Naturalist Society - Cold Lake
Ted Hindmarch (780) 942-3103 or tedh@albertacom.com
Box 909, Gibbons, AB T0H 1N0

The BEAVER RIVER NATURALIST SOCIETY, Cold Lake, Alberta, was formed in 2002 and became a Nature Alberta affiliate in June 2003. It provides a forum unique in our area for the appreciation and grassroots conservation of our nature-rich aspen parkland and boreal watershed located in north east Alberta & adjacent Meadow Lake area of Sask. Our Mission is to promote the enjoyment, conservation and study of natural history.

Our small group of nearly 40 people is involved in several member and outreach activities and strives to promote community interest and conservation awareness of our areas rich flora and fauna. Membership of $24/year covers monthly meetings, socials, field trips and an active e-bulletin system keeping the group informed of local nature happenings and news of interest. The society’s efforts have been in a variety of projects including:

- DUC Project Webfoot education program: grassroots fundraising, partnering & delivery to over 500 kids throughout the region

- Wetland/Riparian conservation: promoting local habitat preservation efforts to City of Cold Lake and assist in lakeshore stewardship via Living by Water Project with area lake groups

-Supporting the establishment and promotion of a number of local interpretive feeder stations

-Membership on Iron Horse Trail committee of the Riverland Recreational Trail Society to facilitate development of natural history signage along the trail and responsible trail usage.

-Provided support to nature interpretation for the Cold Lake Provincial Park

-Annual participation at local literacy and recreation events and media coverage of activities

- Cold Lake Christmas Bird Count initiated in 2001 has been highlighted in Audubon American Birds publication “with its large deep body of water still open into mid-December, brings the potential to add new species.” Additional count circle on east shore in Meadow Lake Prov.Park.

- Nocturnal Owl Survey (mar-may); May Species Count; Great Backyard Bird Count (Feb); Alberta Amphibian Monitoring Program; June/July Butterfly Counts

- Promotion of Bird Studies Canada and Nature Canada/NWF projects for members to get involved in such as Project Feederwatch, Breeding Bird Surveys; & Alberta Breeding Bird Atlas project

- Publication of Master Bird Checklist for the Cold Lake – Bonnyville Region ($2)