Anyone that saw the Boreal Centre for Bird Conservation in Lesser Slave Lake’s provincial park, before, during or after the grand opening last Sunday is undoubtedly (no pun intended) singing its praises. And days after the opening, even a provincial parks watchdog is patting the province on its proverbial back for its part in a job well done.
Rebecca Reeves, Parks Watch Program Co-ordinator for the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) was at the new facility when dignitaries gathered around to cut the ribbon at the BCBC last Sunday (June 4). She said the event “was filled with a renewed sense of hope and gratefulness for our parks and the protection they provide for species such as birds.
“This project can serve as an example of the possibilities for education, research, tourism and community engagement in our Parks and Protected Areas. We want to extend our congratulations and appreciation to the Alberta government, the Parks division and the Lesser Slave Lake Bird Observatory for showing us what our parks can be.”
CPAWS usually chastises the province for every misstep, but Reeves was quick to applaud BCBC’s ‘global significance’ and recognize what it calls ‘a strong partnership and collaboration’ between the province and the community’s non-profit organization. She was particularly impressed that three ministers – Dennis Ducharme from Park and Protected Places, Pearl Calahasen from Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development as well as Sustainable Resource Development’s David Coutts were on hand to applaud the community’s initiative, dedication and commitment to ‘incredible efficiency’.
“It was wonderful to see these three ministers coming together to recognize the extraordinary biodiversity, beauty and education possibilities of our boreal forest. We hope that this will be only the beginning of reinvesting in our parks and of other co-operation efforts between organizations and the Alberta Parks and Protected Areas division.
“We also hope to see other creative projects which help to diversify Alberta’s forest-dependent communities in a sustainable way.”
In fact, says a release from Community Development’s Chelsea Hoople, “Alberta recognizes the vital roles that public facilities like the BCBC play in research and education.
“The centre will contribute to the conservation and sustainability of Alberta’s boreal forest and birds and help educate our children, and produce significant economic benefits by attracting scientists, educators, volunteers and visitors to the region.”

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