Nature Alberta is proud to support our member naturalist clubs across the province. These clubs provide...
Nature Alberta is proud to support our member naturalist clubs across the province. These clubs provide opportunities for Albertans to experience and explore nature in communities around Alberta. Individuals from these clubs serve Nature Alberta in many ways. They are members on the Nature Alberta Board of Directors, committee members on various ad hoc committees, volunteers at various Nature Alberta fundraisers, participants in Nature Alberta events and programs, and much more. In this regular feature, we introduce you to our current member clubs, giving you an opportunity to get to know more about the organizations and people who make Nature Alberta special.
Based in Stettler, the Buffalo Lake Nature Club (BLNC) was formed in 1973 when a group of naturalists came together with a shared vision of conserving natural areas, native plants and wildlife. Fast forward to today and they remain a strong, membership-based organization offering dozens of workshops, nature walks and conservation programs every year. BLNC is also one of the founding members of Nature Alberta and it has remained a member club for over 40 years.
“I think it’s really important for groups and people to feel connected,” explains Chris Pfeifle, current President of the BLNC Board of Directors. “Being a member of Nature Alberta helps us stay connected to the larger nature community. This keeps us inspired and allows for the sharing of knowledge and resources with fellow naturalists.”
The club encourages people in their community to increase their knowledge and appreciation of natural history by offering a wide variety of educational and outdoor opportunities. BLNC hosts a score of activities which include monthly meetings (featuring guest speakers, authors and experts), educational nature walks and citizen science events such as the Christmas Bird Count, nocturnal owl count and grouse count. In the coming months they have several opportunities for nature enthusiasts including a spring species count, a nature walk at JJ Collett Nature Area, a presentation by the Alberta Lake Management Society and much more.
“I got involved with the Buffalo Lake Nature Club because of my interest in nature, an enjoyment of being outside – camping and canoeing,” says Chris. “By joining the BLNC, and meeting like-minded people, I discovered a keen interest in birding, which further encouraged me to get outdoors and has expanded my appreciation of Alberta’s wilderness.”
In addition to all that they currently offer, as they look to the future, the BLNC wishes to become more actively involved in the Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA) Program. Nature Alberta is the provincial coordinator of this global conservation effort and provides support and resources to nature clubs and volunteers who steward these important areas.
“A designated IBA, Ewing/Erskine Lake is a beautiful place,” offers Chris. “We’d like to be more diligent caretakers of this important natural resource.”
BLNC also believes it is critical to engage youth in nature and teach them at an early age why it’s important to protect and conserve our environment. So, to foster the interest of young people in the community, they are looking at setting up a Nature Kids chapter in the area.
For a complete list of coming events and activities, to learn more and to connect with them, visit the BLNC’s website.
The current Board of Directors of the Buffalo Lake Nature Club.
BLNC members following the 2017 Christmas Bird Count.
