Camrose County:
​Raising the Bar

Camrose County was the first contributor to step to the plate, to make the University of Alberta, Augustana Research Station a reality. A choice was made to contribute $27,000.00 the project, while the idea was still entrenched in unknown territory. Camrose County has proven, their passion for fostering a strong connection to place. With their donation, they set the process in motion, that would see a facility constructed that holds "Promoting research, enhancing teaching, and developing partnerships for sustainability" at its core.

"Farley" Foundations of
​Wise Stewardship:

Frank Farley, pictured to the left above, actively pursued the government to recognize Miquelon Lake as a bird sanctuary. He became the first "park warden", persay, dedicated much of his life to protecting the unique echo-system that exists in the area. Frank was a man who was passionate about life around him, in all forms. Arriving in the Camrose area before the turn of the century, Farley played a foundational role in the development of the area. He sought out advice from indigenous elders, and mourned with them, for the anyalation of the buffalo, and a way of life that had served nations for thousands of years prior. Still, he himself was an active settler, having strong ties to the real estate market, ownership in the coal mining industry, the Bailey Theatre, and many other endeavours, including first president of the Camrose Historical Society. One of his deepest passions though, was connecting to the wildlife around him, in all of its forms. If you explore the AMLRC, you will see Frank Farley prominently credited for beginning the work at Miquelon that continues today, thanks to his example.

Much of the impact that Farley Mowat, (pictured above), had over his life time, can be attributed, at least in part, to the living heritage he found in his "Uncle Frank". You will want to hear researcher Heather Marshall, (pictured to the right) expound on this connection, and others, in the "Farley Connections" below.
Heather Marshall, Farley specialist, shares her favourite part of her research to date in "FARLEY CONNECTIONS PART 2"
The Augustana Miquelon Lake Research Centre is an interdisciplinary nexus for various initiatives that intersect in a desire to foster a re-connection to place. Its facilities offer state of the art research equipment and opportunities, living quarters, meeting and recreational facilities in a physical environment that is quite remarkable all on its own!

Miquelon Lake is part of the Beaver Hills, and is a transitional area between two geographical land types, the aspen parklands and the boreal forest subregions. As such, the area holds many unique combinations of plant and animal life from either region. The area is also part of the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve, allowing for some magnificent night sky viewing sessions!
www.purple-martin.org provides the photo of the purple martin.

​For more information on the Augustana Research Station, go here: https://www.augustana.ualberta.ca/research/centres/amlrs/