Celebrating a Fresh Awareness of Place:
The county of Camrose has cultivated and cared for an incredibly intriguing natural heritage. We are a land in transition, while foundations remain constant. Whether you are ready to experience your first prairie mirage, or treck through Indigenous or settler trails; wether you want to wander through coulees, or sit quietly beside a gently flowing stream, Camrose county has you covered.
A hawk sits enthroned in one of the glens down in the river valley in Camrose.
Little Beaver Lake, Ferintosh Alberta
"Glacial Action Aggregate"At times, and depending on your perspective, field stones in the agricultural land of Camrose county, may have been seen as a challenge. In reality though, the glacial action of the area has created a natural heritage of quality gravel that has provided massive industry for the area!
You will want to be sure to click on the "Nature Conservation Centre tab, to explore just one way that the county of Camrose has demonstrated its commitment to conservation and wise sterwardship!
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The Battle River Watershed Alliance exists as a nexus for conservation, connection and community. According to their website, "the Battle River Watershed Alliance is a group representing four orders of government (First Nations, municipal, provincial and federal), watershed groups, environmental organizations, industry, academia and private citizens in a collaborative initiative to plan for the sustainable management of land and water resources in the Battle River Watershed.
You will want to click on the box above to hear Susanna Bruneau offer her expertise on the passion that backs this initiative. Click on the BRWA box to explore more on this incredible organization! The photo gallery holds photos taken at Mirror Lake, which, like Susanna points out, is in itself a beautiful picture of wisely embracing change.
Wild flowers run free in Camrose County. Whether you're wandering beside a an ambling creek as it meanders through the valley, or you choose to seek out one of the sloughs that are a valuable part of our landscape. untamed blossoms will follow.
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A Heritage of Respect:
Frank Farley was larger than life. He was a man who simply could not contain his passions, presence or interests into one field! He came to the west before the turn of the century, leaving a life of prominence in Ontario. He was trained as a teacher, had a plethora of business interests and capacities, but his heart was always intertwined with the nature around him. He consistently lobbied for species conservation. He mourned for the annihilation of the buffalo. He lived and breathed an awareness to place.
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To read more on naturalist, Frank Farley, and his family relationship to author and activist, Farley Mowat, check this out:
http://naturealberta.ca/spotlight-on-frank-farley-one-of-albertas-notable-conservationists/ Farley Mowat is pictured above, courtesy of CBC. Click on the "FARLEY MOWAT" box to go to their tribute to the environmentalist writer, named after Camrose County's own Frank Farley.
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The book above, by Frank Farley, documents many of the notable birds and wildlife in the area at the turn of the century. You'll find it available for careful viewing at the Camrose and District Museum.
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Heather Marshall has become a Frank Farley specialist! She has spent the last number of months pouring over some of his personal correspondence, his manuscripts, and articles. She was even able to travel to Farley's home town, St. Thomas Ontario, to dig into his roots. You will want to hear Heather share some of her research highlights, by clicking on "FARLEY CONNECTIONS" and check out the site for the plethora of other places where Mr. Farley's impact is readily apparent.
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www.campscout.com provides the photo of Miquelon Lake, a Camrose County gem that Frank Farley fought to have recognized as a bird sanctuary.
Clarence Hastings provides the photo of the cypress forest that is waiting to be discovered in Camrose County. You simply need to see these petrified stumps! |