City of Edmonton - Volunteer Weed Pull Program

Edmonton Valley Zoo Weed Pull Site Details

City of Edmonton staff will be leading volunteers in the hand-removal of invasive plant species including yellow toadflax, Canada thistle and more on the naturalized area surrounding the Arctic Shores exhibit. We will not be working in an animal enclosure, but in a transitional habitat display area, such as Arctic Shores.  We will be meeting at the front gate then moving into the Zoo as a group.

Weed Pull Location

• Parking: There is a free unpaved parking lot on site. Please be aware that the parking lot fills up quickly and if you are attending the afternoon weed pull, you may have to park further from the entrance. There is a paved path from the parking lot to the zoo entrance, and no curbs up to the sidewalk. There is also a driving loop near the entrance that can be used for drop-off. Enter through the main gates of the zoo, where City staff will be waiting in the plaza wearing bright orange vests.
• Transit: The closest transit stop is an On-Demand transit stop on Buena Vista Rd. It is approximately a 5 minute (350 metre) walk to the front entrance of the Zoo. There are ramped curbs and paved paths from this to the weed pull site.
• Biking: The Zoo is connected to other trails along the river. You can bike in from Buena Vista Park ravine and exit via 132 St NW. Alternatively, you can bike through the residential area to the north. There is a bike rack at the front entrance. Bikes are not permitted within the zoo. 

Weed Pull Site: 

The site is not shaded. The terrain is uneven and vegetated with grasses and small shrubs. Some may require stepping over a low rope barrier to access. If conditions are unfavorable we will relocate to a different site and let volunteers know.
If you arrive late, please inform Zoo staff you are here for the weed pull. There will be directional signage pointing volunteers to the pull site at the Arctic Shores exhibit.

Washrooms: 

There are multiple public restrooms located within the Zoo. The closest one is located in the entry plaza which is a 5-minute (250 metre) walk. Accessible stalls and family washrooms are available.

Other Site Details:

• While the zoo does require admission fees, volunteers will not be required to pay. Volunteer nametags will also allow access to the zoo’s exhibits after a volunteer shift is complete. 
• The Zoo can be quite busy and noisy, especially on Saturdays in the summer months. Please take this into consideration if this is a concern for you.

If you require any accommodations, please reach out to us at invasiveweeds@edmonton.ca. We want to keep learning about the diverse needs of our community, and we value your contributions greatly!