We are thrilled to announce the opening of the Smith Blackburn Homestead as of October 14, 2020.

This 73-acre land was donated to the Edmonton and Area Land Trust in 2018 to honour the memory of Cec Blackburn. 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. The land was homesteaded, lived on and cared for by women and children of the Averell and Smith families between 1903 and 1989. Smith Blackburn Homestead is located in the Beaver Hills UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and is on Treaty 6 territory, a traditional gathering place, travelling route and home for many Indigenous Peoples. Three boardwalks have been installed on the land to allow access while protecting sensitive habitat, and now the land is ready for visitors.

We are pleased to invite you to join us for a virtual event to celebrate. The event will be online on Wednesday, October 14, from 5-5:30pm. There will be a short program including a slideshow of photos from the land. We will send out the Zoom link via Eventbrite the morning of the Grand Opening. We thank the Alberta Land Trust Grant Program and the Edmonton Community Foundation for making this project possible.