SAPAA is organizing a field trip to Mount Butte Natural Area on May 9, 2026. Located between Edmonton and Calgary, participants can pre-register for free if they are members or pay $30 otherwise. The day includes a walk in a unique ecological area and potential alternative locations if conditions are poor.

If the Winter blahs are creeping up on you, SAPAA has a cure, a field trip to Mount Butte Natural Area. This NA is at the North End of Battle Lake and is composed of an Order in Council and a PNT. SAPAA last visited the site as a field trip in 2015, so time to go back!

Where is Mt. Butte?

Location wise, it is about halfway between Edmonton and Calgary. If staying overnight, consider booking at the Village Creek Country Inn. Located at the South end of Pigeon Lake, it is about a 30-minute drive to Mt. Butte. Better still, this will be our meet up location for the day. 

Contingencies and Alternatives

Please note that this trip is early in the year and maybe replaced with a trip to one of the sandy sites North of Edmonton if the ground is too icky. 

You Must Pre-Register

Circle on the calendar May 9, all-day. Further details will be sent to all of those who have registered for the trip. This trip is free to cand $30 for non-members (SAPAA Membership is just $15). Preliminary details are:

• Where: Mt. Butte Natural Area, North End of Battle Lake, NW of Red Deer.
• When: May 9, 2026. An day trip, we will meet at the staging area at 9am and return to it in the afternoon.
• Who: Everyone interest in this Central Alberta protected area, or who wants to at least go for a nice walk early in the season! Free for SAPAA Members and $30 for non-members (payable to a board member at the staging area, cash only).
• What: The NA is a mix of bog and hills. As of writing, these two areas have limited iNaturalist observations which we hope to remedy.