J.J. Collett Natural Area is maintained by a foundation and provides an invaluable resource for local residents. A SAPAA field trip explored the area and returned with positive reviews on its status.

The following is a combined report from submissions from Kate R. and Phrank P.

1. Inspection Report
   1. 2024-08-24: J.J. Collett (NA); Kate R.
   2. 2024-08-24: J.J. Collett (NA); Susan N. (ENPC)
   3. 2024-08-24: J.J. Collett (NA); Patsy C.
   4. 2024-08-24: J.J. Collett (NA); Phrank P.
2. Images from Inspection

Inspection Report

2024-08-24: J.J. Collett (NA); Kate R.

Question	Q##	Response
		General Information
Date/Site/Submitter:	Q21/22/12	2024-08-24: J.J. Collett (NA); Kate R.
Guest Names	Q14
SAPAA Member	Q16	Yes
		Over all Impression of the Site
What is the Naturalness of the Site? 4=Great, 0=Terrible	Q31	3
How Natural?: comments	Q32	The paths are mowed.
		How was your visit to the PA?
Trip Duration	Q41	1-2 hours
Why Did you Go?	Q42	Visit nature, PA Site inspection for SAPAA
Visit Details	Q43	Did a couple of trails. About a kilometre.
		What is in the Site?
Ease to Visit	Q51	Parking lot or parking for 2 or more cars, Washroom, Directional signs on Feeder roads, Entrance signs, information, etc.
Biological Observations	Q52	There were lots of mushrooms 🙂
Submissions to iNaturalist	Q53	Not Applicable
Geological Observations	Q54
Designation as a Protected Area	Q55	Signage, Fencing
Comments	Q56
		Human Activities/Disturbances
Agricultural Activities	Q61	None noted
Resource extraction	Q62	None Noted
Motorized disturbances (ATV or vehicle activity).	Q63	None Noted
Animal or self propelled activities	Q64	Hiking Trails, Botanical pursuits (e.g. plant identification), Picnicking, Dog Walking
Gathering and Dumping Activities	Q65	None Noted
Infrastructure encroachment	Q66	None Noted
Comments	Q67
		What Needs to be Done?
Remediation/Protection Activities Needed	Q71	Continued Monitoring
What Have you Done Recently to Help the site?	Q72	Visit and Submitted This Report!
Nearby Stewards?	Q73
Comments	Q74	Obviously a much used and loved area. Will return!
Last Words	Q82	Lots of signage on the trails but I found them confusing.

2024-08-24: J.J. Collett (NA); Susan N. (ENPC)

Question	Q##	Response
		General Information
Date/Site/Submitter:	Q21/22/12	2024-08-24: J.J. Collett (NA); I am a Guest
Guest Names	Q14	Susan Neuman
SAPAA Member	Q16	No
		Over all Impression of the Site
What is the Naturalness of the Site? 4=Great, 0=Terrible	Q31	2
How Natural?: comments	Q32	In this part of the natural area we saw a number of common native plants, but also a large number of invasive plant species such as smooth brome, creeping thistle, dandelions, norwegian cinquefoil, etc.
		How was your visit to the PA?
Trip Duration	Q41	1 hour
Why Did you Go?	Q42	PA Site inspection for SAPAA
Visit Details	Q43	We had limited time, so our visit was restricted to the shortest trail on the west side of the property. From the gate we walked along the boardwalk to the seating area adjacent to the gazebo, where we ate lunch. We then walked a short distance along the creek, and then followed the trail into the forest. After a short distance, we looped back to retrace our steps. Total distance traveled was approximately 1.3 km.
		What is in the Site?
Ease to Visit	Q51	Parking lot or parking for 2 or more cars, Washroom, Directional signs on Feeder roads, Entrance signs, information, etc., Other (see comments, Q52)
Biological Observations	Q52	Covered seating areas were provided, as well as benches for resting along the walking trails. A couple of plants were quite plentiful in the open prairie area near the covered seating areas: Thermopsis rhombifolia (buffalo bean) and Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (kinnikinnick).
Submissions to iNaturalist	Q53	No, did not see anything of note
Geological Observations	Q54
Designation as a Protected Area	Q55	Signage, Fencing, Stiles, Gates
Comments	Q56
		Human Activities/Disturbances
Agricultural Activities	Q61	None noted
Resource extraction	Q62	None Noted
Motorized disturbances (ATV or vehicle activity).	Q63	None Noted
Animal or self propelled activities	Q64	Hiking Trails, Picnicking
Gathering and Dumping Activities	Q65	None Noted
Infrastructure encroachment	Q66	None Noted
Comments	Q67
		What Needs to be Done?
Remediation/Protection Activities Needed	Q71	Re-vegetation, Invasive Weed Removal, Continued Monitoring
What Have you Done Recently to Help the site?	Q72	Visit and Submitted This Report!
Nearby Stewards?	Q73
Comments	Q74	The boardwalk closest to the entrance, on the west side of the site, is in need of repair. Removal of creeping thistle is very much required.
Last Words	Q82

2024-08-24: J.J. Collett (NA); Patsy C.

Question	Q##	Response
		General Information
Date/Site/Submitter:	Q21/22/12	2024-08-24: J.J. Collett (NA); Patsy C.
Guest Names	Q14
SAPAA Member	Q16	Yes
		Over all Impression of the Site
What is the Naturalness of the Site? 4=Great, 0=Terrible	Q31	3
How Natural?: comments	Q32	Site has been developed with facilities and a network of trails including boardwalk for human access, hence shows evidence of an invasive flora.
		How was your visit to the PA?
Trip Duration	Q41	1-2 hours
Why Did you Go?	Q42	Visit nature, Hiking, Plant identification, PA Site inspection for SAPAA, Other (see comments)
Visit Details	Q43	Picnicked – facilities good and took a short hike along Trail No. 1.
		What is in the Site?
Ease to Visit	Q51	Parking lot or parking for 2 or more cars, Washroom, Directional signs on Feeder roads, Entrance signs, information, etc., Other (see comments, Q52)
Biological Observations	Q52	Some interpretive signage, although there is scope to upgrade and update this.
Submissions to iNaturalist	Q53	No, did not see anything of note
Geological Observations	Q54	Soil is basically sandy, with open grassland and aspen forest on the uplands and forested depressional areas with spruce. The creek contains a lot of fallen trees.
Designation as a Protected Area	Q55	Signage, Stiles, Gates
Comments	Q56	Has a long history which I’ve long known as a SAPAA member and have visited on previous occasions.
		Human Activities/Disturbances
Agricultural Activities	Q61	None noted
Resource extraction	Q62	None Noted
Motorized disturbances (ATV or vehicle activity).	Q63	None Noted
Animal or self propelled activities	Q64	Hiking Trails, Bird Watching, Botanical pursuits (e.g. plant identification), Picnicking
Gathering and Dumping Activities	Q65	None Noted
Infrastructure encroachment	Q66	None Noted
Comments	Q67
		What Needs to be Done?
Remediation/Protection Activities Needed	Q71	Invasive Weed Removal, Continued Monitoring, Other (see comments, Q74)
What Have you Done Recently to Help the site?	Q72	Visit and Submitted This Report!
Nearby Stewards?	Q73	Already managed by a steward group, the JJ Collett Foundation.
Comments	Q74	Creek could possibly use some clearing of dead wood and development of an access site.
Last Words	Q82	Popular site and well used by families.

2024-08-24: J.J. Collett (NA); Phrank P.

Question	Q##	Response
		General Information
Date/Site/Submitter:	Q21/22/12	2024-08-24: J.J. Collett (NA); Phrank P.
Guest Names	Q14
SAPAA Member	Q16	Yes
		Over all Impression of the Site
What is the Naturalness of the Site? 4=Great, 0=Terrible	Q31	3
How Natural?: comments	Q32	The society has done a great job creating a resource near central Alberta population areas (Lacombe, Ponoka, Red Deer further south). Like all good civil efforts, the site requires constant maintenance and upkeep – often by volunteers. Nevertheless, because of the trails, much of the site remains reasonably undisturbed.
		How was your visit to the PA?
Trip Duration	Q41	1-2 hours
Why Did you Go?	Q42	Visit nature, Hiking, PA Site inspection for SAPAA, Other (see comments)
Visit Details	Q43	In addition to the above, write a post for YEGVille.ca.
		What is in the Site?
Ease to Visit	Q51	Parking lot or parking for 2 or more cars, Washroom, Directional signs on Feeder roads, Entrance signs, information, etc., Other (see comments)
Biological Observations	Q52
Submissions to iNaturalist	Q53	No, did not see anything of note
Geological Observations	Q54	Very flat and therefore little geo or hydrological activity.
Designation as a Protected Area	Q55	Signage, Fencing, Stiles, Gates, Other (see comments)
Comments	Q56	The main boardwalk has some broken boards.
		Human Activities/Disturbances
Agricultural Activities	Q61	None noted
Resource extraction	Q62	None Noted
Motorized disturbances (ATV or vehicle activity).	Q63	None Noted
Animal or self propelled activities	Q64	Hiking Trails, Botanical pursuits (e.g. plant identification), Dog Walking
Gathering and Dumping Activities	Q65	None Noted
Infrastructure encroachment	Q66	None Noted
Comments	Q67	Benches, gazebos, stiles, and excellent trail markers.
		What Needs to be Done?
Remediation/Protection Activities Needed	Q71	Other (see comments)
What Have you Done Recently to Help the site?	Q72	Visit and Submitted This Report!
Nearby Stewards?	Q73
Comments	Q74	Continue to support the society with money and volunteer labour.
Last Words	Q82	A great SAPAA field trip.

Images from Inspection