Bearberry Prairie NA is a combination of one OC and four PNT sites, all on the Red Deer River. The OC portion is adjacent to Sundre NA is which lies to the east.
Map of the Area
Any maps and map views are for general information only. Do not rely on them for navigation or to determine legal boundaries.
Other Information
Composed of five individual sites, four designated as PNTs and one as OC, this Natural Area is located along on the Red Deer River. Approximately 12 km separate the southernmost (downstream) PNT site from the northernmost OC portion. The Bearberry OC portion is contiguous with the Sundre Natural Area.
The NA site encompasses a braided river floodplain, including the river embankment and several islands in the Red Deer River. The diverse riverine communities are bordered by aspen-white spruce forest on the slopes, balsam poplar/wolf willow on the terraces and bedrock exposures (Alberta Parks website, 2012).
Bearberry or kinnickinnick is a dwarf subshrub in the heath family that is adapted to cold climates including the Arctic and Subarctic. The edible red fruit is favoured by bears, hence its name [1].
Site Statistics
| Site Name | Bearberry Prairie |
| Site Type | Natural Area |
| Subtype | Order-in-council (OC) |
| Natural Region(s) | Dry Mixedwood |
| O.C. No. (Land Ref. Manual) | 454/71 |
| PASite ID (Map Ref #) | 248 |
| Site # (Parks Website) | 509 |
| Total Area | 36.69 ha. (90.66 ac.) |
| Steward-Status | |
| Recreation Activities | canoeing/kayaking; fishing, hunting |
| IUCN | II |
| Operated By | Parks Division |
| Notes and Comments |
| Site Name | Bearberry Prairie (PNT) |
| Site Type | Natural Area |
| Subtype | Protective Notation (PNT) |
| Natural Region(s) | Dry Mixedwood |
| O.C. No. (Land Ref. Manual) | N/A |
| PASite ID (Map Ref #) | 248 |
| Site # (Parks Website) | N/A |
| Total Area | 41.54 ha. (102.64 ac.) |
| Steward-Status | |
| Recreation Activities | |
| IUCN | IV*6 |
| Operated By | |
| Notes and Comments |
References
The following links are provided as a courtesy but are not verified or endorsed by SAPAA. Clicking on the link will cause you to leave the SAPAA website. Primary source of information is: Information & Facilities – Bearberry Creek Natural Area | Alberta Parks (All links accessed on 2022-12-01)
Further Reading
North boundary fence, Bearberry Prairie NA, 2003-09-21 (T.Blake) 
Swale, Bearberry Prairie NA, 2003-09-21 (T.Blake) 
Tall northern green bog orchid, Bearberry Prairie NA, 2003-09-21 (T.Blake) 
Looking upstream, Bearberry Prairie NA, 2003-09-21 (T.Blake) 
Western or Boreal Toad, Bearberry Prairie NA, 2003-09-21 (T.Blake) 
Sparrow’s-egg lady’s-slipper, Bearberry Prairie NA, 2003-09-21 (T.Blake) 
Sticky false asphodel, Bearberry Prairie NA, 2003-09-21 (T.Blake) 
Sticky false asphodel, Bearberry Prairie NA, 2003-09-21 (T.Blake) 
Common self-heal, Bearberry Prairie NA, 2003-09-21 (T.Blake)
SAPAA 