Smith Blackburn Homestead Now Open!
Located just east of Elk Island National Park and within the UNESCO Beaver Hills Biosphere Reserve is the Smith Blackburn Homestead. This land was donated in memory of Cec Blackburn and has been loved and stewarded for generations. Cec was a dedicated walker and community builder who would be pleased that people can come here to experience the inspiration, solace, and lessons of the natural environment.
With funding from the Edmonton Community Foundation and Shell Canada Scotford Community Grants, three boardwalks have been installed on the land to allow public access while protecting sensitive habitat, and now the land is ready for visitors.
The Smith Blackburn Homestead is now open to the public for low impact recreation. Come explore the trails, witness wildlife, and connect with nature on this land! To find directions and more details, visit the Smith Blackburn Homestead page on our website.
Ecological & Cultural Importance
Smith Blackburn Homestead is located on Treaty 6 territory, a traditional gathering place, travelling route and home for many Indigenous Peoples.
Land within the UNESCO Beaver Hills Biosphere Reserve, including the Smith Blackburn Homestead was difficult to farm due to the knob and kettle terrain left by retreating glaciers. This has resulted in this area retaining more undisturbed wildlife habitat than most of the areas surrounding Edmonton.
The Smith Blackburn Homestead is part of a close network of conserved areas in the region that provide a large area of connected habitats, wildlife corridors, and stepping stones for wildlife in an increasingly fragmented area. The region provides homes for breeding waterfowl and songbirds, large mammals, and mesocarnivores.
Sources
The Beaver Hills country: a history of land and life
https://www.salisburygreenhouse.com/history-on-our-doorstep-beaver-hills-initiative
https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ab/elkisland/culture/autochtone-indigenous
