Calgary 
Explore the best of Alberta wildlife and nature this spring or summer!
Wild Horses of Alberta Society
From north to south, there are several ways to enjoy Alberta’s protected outdoor world through sanctuaries, conservation areas, and nature or wildlife centres.
Wild Horses of Alberta Society
This wild horse rehab organization operates near Sundre. If you’d like a tour of the farmlands from WHOAS, and a chance to see the horses out in the wild, just call! Let them know you’d like to come by or make a donation, and they can give you more specific directions.
Where: Near Sundre
Alice Sanctuary
The Alice Sanctuary is home to over 300 rescued farm animals. The sanctuary gives the animals a chance to heal and live happy life. Alice Sanctuary hosts guided tours during the summer months every year, and special events like Mother’s Day, and yoga around the year.
Location: Wheatland County
Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary
You can book three different experiences at the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary, all of which allow you to see the wolf dogs, and some which allow you to get close. Choose from either their Sanctuary Walk (for 6 years and older), the Intro Tour (for 10 and older), or their Interactive Tour (for 15 and older).
Location: 263156 Range Road 53, Rocky View County
Discovery Wildlife Park
Discovery Wildlife Park is a quick drive from Innisfail, Highway 2, and Red Deer, and has several wild adventures for you and your family to explore. The Park is a rehabilitation home for various wild animals. They also work a lot with bear safety and educational workshops.
Location: 5400 42 Ave., Innisfail
Ellis Bird Farm
Ellis Bird Farm in Lacombe is a non-profit organization devoted to the conservation of mountain bluebirds, tree swallows and other native cavity-nesting birds.
Ellis Bird Farm Ltd. – Lacombe AB
The Ellis Bird Farm in central Alberta opens for the season on May 23rd, 2022. Upon your visit you can take garden or bird-viewing walks, take a Bluebird Trail Tour, or get tickets to several summer events. Last year they added new trails and expanded on some existing trails on the farm. Along with some outdoor recreation, you can also take part in workshops to learn more about the animals at Ellis.
Location: Lacombe
Boreal Centre for Bird Conservation
The BCBC opens each year in April to public visitors. Lesser Slave Lake is in the southern portion of Canada’s Boreal Forest- an area home to hundreds of species of birds. When you visit, you and your family can learn all about them or sign up for more hands-on workshops, tours, or events. If you can’t make it to the Conservation Centre, a visit to the Provincial Park is likely to still get you wildlife and birding views.
Location: Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park
Medicine River Wildlife Centre
MRWC is a wildlife hospital and education centre that provides care for injured, orphaned, and compromised wildlife with the aim of returning them to appropriate wild habitats. The regular summer programming at the Medicine River Wildlife Centre, near Caroline, is set to resume in 2022. The nature-based programs can be as informal as a guided nature walk through the park, to more structured programs aimed at different age groups. There are also programs aimed at adult-only groups!
Location: Spruce View
Clifford E. Lee Nature Sanctuary
Clifford E. Lee Nature Sanctuary protects 348 acres of nature that attract a diversity of animals. You are likely to catch several different species of birds on your travels like ducks, teal, canvasbacks, geese, tundra swan, buffleheads, and more. There is a quick and simple hiking trail that leads you through the Sanctuary and back in a loop, as well as a second trail which takes you about 4km into the park.
Location: Spruce Grove
Gaetz Lakes Sanctuary
The Waskasoo Environmental Society has two branches: the Kerry Wood Nature Centre, and Fort Normandeau. There are several attractions to enjoy over the spring and summer from both, but none get you closer to nature than the Gaetz Lakes Sanctuary. The park has 5km of trails from where you can listen to the birds, enjoy the views, and watch for larger wildlife like coyotes, foxes, or deer.
Location: Red Deer
Saskatoon Lake Migratory Bird Sanctuary
You can enjoy this area’s bird sanctuary all weekend or week-long thanks to the Saskatoon Island provincial park campground. This area of land between Saskatoon Lake and Little Lake is rich with plant life, wildlife, and all sorts of different ecosystems. The bird sanctuary is here to protect the migratory birds who make this their stop every year and is an important trumpeter swan birding area.
Location: Near Grande Prairie
Inglewood Bird Sanctuary & Nature Centre
This is as close to nature as you can get while being in the centre of Calgary, besides of course, the Zoo! This bird sanctuary is opening its doors for the summer season on May 1st, when you can learn through the Interpretive Centre before heading out on the riverside trails. There’s a chance to see over 200 types of birds this time of year!
Location: 2425 9 Ave S.E., Calgary
Alberta Birds of Prey Foundation
Alberta Birds of Prey Foundation is Alberta’s first privately licensed raptor rescue and conservation organization. There are over 70acres of wetlands to explore within the Foundation’s land. You can start with their Hawk Walk or enjoy flying demonstrations by trained birds. Along with the paths and trails are several small ponds and marshes where you may find some ducks. The gift shop and visitor’s centre also have a few small exhibits. 2022 Opening TBA.
Location: 2124 16 Ave., Coaldale
