Big Island, southwest of Edmonton on the North Saskatchewan River, has attracted humans for thousands of years. For the summer of 2022, a tri-government public consultation wants to hear your opinion on protecting this unique cultural and ecological resource.

Tri-Governmental Feedback

The Enoch Cree Nation, the City of Edmonton, and Alberta Environment and Parks are seeking feedback on the establishment of Big Island Provincial Park. This would be a 68 hectare parcel of Crown land in southwest Edmonton along the North Saskatchewan River. Feedback closes on August 21, 2022:

Survey – establishment of Big Island Provincial Park.

SAPAA’s Views and Recollections of Big Island

SAPAA members conducted two field-surveys in 2021 recording 131 species of vascular plants (flowering plants, conifers, horsetails) in Big Island. Big Island is an ecologically sensitive area which has seen considerable disturbance over the years. As a result, the primary objective of the park should be conservation of the ecological heritage.

A Conservation Approach to Opening the Park

Before the Park is declared and human disturbance increases, extensive rehabilitation of the site is required. This involves reconstruction and in some cases closing off of trails. This is best done before the public has access to the Park, otherwise operations will be hampered.

Walking with Minimum Infrastructure

Human interactions must be restricted to walking based activities along designated trails with minimal infrastructure and facilities. This will best protect Big Island’s habitat.

There will be demands for other recreational opportunities in particular mountain biking. In addition to the erosion and disturbance, such trails tend to proliferate when mountain bikers create off-shoot, informal routes. This and like activities results in diminished protection and increased habitat fragmentation.

Enjoyment and Protection

The slide show below includes a picture of Physostegia ledinghamii, or Ledingham’s false dragonhead. This is a relatively rare species locally, chiefly found in riverine habitats. Most local occurrences are along the North Saskatchewan River. This plant grows along the back channel at Big Island.

To protected its habitat, infrastructure such as boardwalks, needs to be built. For example, one crossing the marsh adjacent to the channel on the Big Island side. There could possibly be three viewpoints (all accessed by boardwalk) to the channel. Strict usage enforcement is required to prevent unauthorized trails across the marsh.

Take the Survey, Lend Your Voice to Conserving Big Island

At this point, it is not known what the level of supervision, monitoring and enforcement the Park will receive. Thus public support for conservation will help Park planners stand firm. Even if you are not familiar with Big Island it is important to take part in the public consultation process and support a conservation focused model.

Patsy Cotterill, board member.

Images from Visits and Other Sources