The Buffalo Lake Nature Club holds a yearly nature walk at the Alix Nature Trail. Dr. Charley Bird is explaining how to identify a fungi found along the trail while club members and friends look on or take photographs. ECA Review/Submitted
A Stettler-area non-profit society is celebrating 50 years of nature friendship and invites those of like mind to join the group.
The Buffalo Lake Nature Club marked 50 years of learning about and friendship with wildlife and the natural environment in this region noted President Claudia Lipski.
In an interview with the ECA Review Oct. 11 Lipski stated the non-profit society’s name may be a slight misnomer, as the organization boasts members from many nearby communities including Stettler, Buffalo Lake, Bashaw, Pelican Point, Big Valley, Erskine, Castor, Botha, Donalda and Forestburg.
Lipski stated the Buffalo Lake club was born 50 years ago from the efforts of people like Stettler-area resident Lloyd Lohr who unfortunately passed away some years ago.
Lipski stated Lloyd was a saddle-maker who loved the natural world.
Another important figure in the early Buffalo Lake club was current member Elmer Gross who is well-known for his involvement with Mountain Blue Birds.
Lipski pointed out the Buffalo Lake Club helps out with different initiatives such as the East Central Alberta Heritage Society’s linear parks which are lined with birdhouses; she said the club members help monitor which birds use the boxes and also help keep the houses tidy.
Lipski noted other projects include the annual Christmas bird count which aims to keep track of which birds call parts of Alberta home at Christmas time.
Another important program the Buffalo Lake Club participates in is the spring owl survey intended to gather data on population and breeding.
The president added that since the Buffalo Lake club is linked to dozens of other societies, interested members can access all sorts of interesting projects involving wildlife, the outdoors and the environment.
The Buffalo Lake Nature Club is a member of Nature Alberta’s “Alberta Nature Network,” a federation of Alberta naturalists that includes 46 organziations in this province.
“A family of nature lovers,” said Lipski.
The president stated members of the Buffalo Lake Club tend to keep an eye on the goings-on of many other Alberta organizations.
The president noted the Buffalo Lake Nature Club’s monthly meetings usually feature an interesting guest speaker and usually open with a roll call that allows members to share their recent outdoor experiences with the group.
To mark their 50th anniversary the Buffalo Lake Nature Club members participated in a number of parades in an effort to raise more awareness of the society.
Those interested in learning more about the Buffalo Lake Nature Club, which meets in Stettler monthly, should peruse their website, www.buffalolakenature.com. There is an email contact on the website for more information.
Lipski stated the Buffalo Lake Nature Club’s draw area is a diverse and fascinating ecosystem that’s quite interesting to learn about, and the club is a good way to experience that.
“Our area is phenomenal,” she said. “I’ve really connected with the beautiful land and wildlife we have here.”
Stu Salkeld
Local Journalism Initiative reporter
ECA Review
