Edmonton and Area Land Trust

IMPORTANT: After signing up for this event, go to the Schedule tab in your profile and click on the icon to review these details and additional safety information. We highly recommend subscribing to weekly reminders on your profile in the Volunteer Portal. This information will not be emailed.

Date & Time: Saturday, June 6th @ 10:00 AM – 2:00PM

Join us at Smith Blackburn Homestead to keep the Pollinator Garden at its best! Invasive grasses are a constant threat to the garden. Now that we have put cardboard down to suppress the worst of it, we will add landscaping fabric to ensure the grass doesn't crowd out the native plants. 

The Smith Blackburn Homestead is part of the larger Beaverhill Biosphere Reserve, which provides a network of connected habitats and corridors for wildlife. This mosaic of wetland and upland forests allows birds such as Great Blue Herons, Soras, Common loons, and various other songbirds and waterfowl to nest, raise their young and thrive!

Accessibility: 

• Moderately difficult activities including bending, kneeling, using hand tools, weed pulling, sign installation, and carrying some supplies. 
• Approximately 1 km of walking is required. We will not be very far away from the parking area during the day.
• We may decide to walk the trail system afterwards if folks feel up to it.

What to Expect:

• We will start the day promptly at 10:00 AM with a safety and training meeting to go over our tasks and the associated hazards and safety controls. We will break for lunch around 12:00pm and head out by 2:00 PM.  
• Doing garden work, mainly installing landscape fabric. We will also do some weed removal.
• Re-installing damaged signs in front of the garden and bat box. There is also a map sign to replace along the trails.

• Plan to carry your personal supplies for the day (water, layers, snacks, etc.) in your backpack.
• There is an outhouse on this land.

What to Wear and Bring:

• Comfortable clothing and outerwear for working outdoors all day, including long pants and layers appropriate for the weather. Kneepads may also be useful. 
• Hiking shoes or sturdy running shoes – no slip-on or open-toed shoes. Rubber boots are recommended if it has rained recently.
• Sunscreen, hat, and insect repellent.

• Lunch, water, additional layers, and a backpack to carry them.

• All tools and supplies will be provided but you may bring your own work gloves if you wish. 

• Optional:

• Cushion to sit on at lunch
• Binoculars
• Camera

Parking and how to get there:

• Follow this Google Pin
• You can also search Smith Blackburn Homestead in Maps. NOTE: the one near St. Albert is not correct. We are working on getting it removed.
• An EALT sign will mark the access point.

Cancellations:

• If you need to cancel, please do so through the Volunteer Portal as soon as possible. 
• If you have any questions or need to cancel on the day of the event, you can reach Ciara at (780)-913-4205. Please note that we will NOT have access to email on the day of the event. 

Additional Information:

• Stewardship events are weather-dependent and subject to cancellation.
• Please contact us in advance if you wish to bring a minor to this event.

• If you wish to carpool with another volunteer, please review our Carpooling Policy here. After reviewing, please contact the event coordinator and we will set up a method to message other event participants.