Wildlife and Habitat

This conservation land features a variety of habitats. From open meadows, to an esker ridge, to lowlands around the Lily Lake shoreline, there are many places to explore.

Vegetation communities include coniferous bogs, birch stands, mixed-wood forests, and modified grassland.

JBJ McDonald is home to many species of wildlife, including moose, white-tailed deer, trumpeter swans, Canada jays, and boreal toads. Palm warblers, sandhill cranes, and many waterfowl species have been seen on the land during migration. Cougars and black bears also frequent the land throughout the year.

Photos: EALT

Do you plan on trying to identify plants and animals while exploring? Consider helping EALT with some Citizen Science. There are lots of easy ways to share your findings with our conservation team and your input is greatly valued!

Importance

JBJ McDonald is located close to the Lu Carbyn Nature Sanctuary and the Lily Lake Natural Area. Nearby are several other Crown Lands, significant lakes, natural areas and other types of protected lands. Collectively, they provide extraordinarily significant habitat for wildlife, and conserving this quarter section assures landscape connectivity for wildlife as they live and move in the area.

Legacy

This conservation land was the first site purchased directly by EALT, which was sparked by a generous donation of stock options from Joanne McDonald. Joanne’s proactive donation was the catalyst to influence other supporters and endowment funds to donate to the EALT Capital fund. These combined efforts took the goal of land securement across the finish line in a surprisingly short amount of time. JBJ McDonald was named after Joanne and her two children, who have visited and volunteered at the land in preparation for its opening and long-term stewardship. Joanne and her family’s love for nature will not only be represented in the namesake of this land, but also in the stewardship and conservation of it for current and future generations.

Indigenous Connections

Lac Ste. Anne, a National Historical Site of Canada, is near JBJ McDonald. It’s been called Wakamne, meaning The Creator’s lake, by the Nakota (Assinoboine) and Lake Manitou Sakhahigan, which translates to Lake of the spirit, by the Nehiyawak (Cree). The lake was said to have healing powers and was visited by many nations including the Nehiyawak and the Nakota, before the arrival of Europeans. Today it is still an important cultural site, with an annual Catholic pilgrimage. Many of the people who attend this event feel a connection to both Catholicism and their Nation’s traditional beliefs.

Stewardship Highlights and Recent News

Parking area coordinates: 53°42'55.5"N 114°40'25.4"W