This area has rolling topography with numerous wetland depressions. Tamarack-black spruce/sphagnum peatland, willow/birch shrubland, sedge meadows and small sloughs are common. A rare species of ducksmeal (Wolffia columbiana) is found here. The upland vegetation consists of aspen and balsam poplar forests, with some areas of white spruce.
- Map of the Area
- Other Information
- Protected Lands at Coyote Lake
- Biophysical Observations (via iNaturalist.ca)
- Site Statistics
- References
- Further Reading
- Site Inspections
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
Ecological Interest. Technically in the Boreal Forest Natural Region, Dry Mixedwood Subregion, Coyote Lake is an area of considerable ecological interest as it lies in a transition zone between aspen parkland, boreal forest, and foothills, and contains features of Parkland, Boreal Forest, and Rocky Mountain Natural Regions, leading to high plant and bird diversity.
A variety of habitats including lakeshore, upland and lowland meadows, and moist mixedwood forest, including balsam fir as well as spruce, are all accessible by trails. Important breeding bird habitat provides excellent opportunities for bird watching. Coyote Lake itself provides important feeding habitat for Great Blue Herons and nesting habitat for Red-necked Grebe, Common Loon and Ring-necked Duck. It is also a significant resting site for numerous migrating waterfowl. Mammals include deer, Elk, Moose, Coyote, Black Bear and Beaver. Listed in “Other Natural Areas” (Alberta Parks website, 2012).
Doris and Eric Hopkins were the original stewards, who homesteaded on property which they subsequently donated to the government to create the Natural Area. Coyote Lake lies approximately 100 km west of Edmonton.
Greater Coyote Lake Conservation Area was designated when the Hopkins donated their land to the Nature Conservancy, and they persuaded some of their neighbours to do likewise. These lands are now administered by the Nature Conservancy of Canada [1]. Doris was always of the opinion that the more people who realize how special the area is, the better chance there is that it can be preserved and even expanded. The government earmarked additional land round the lake as Coyote Lake Natural Area, with the total area under OC and PNT notations now totalling approximately 1,230 ha.
Protected Lands at Coyote Lake
Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC), in 1994, purchased additional quarter-sections of land in addition to the original two quarter-sections donated by the Hopkins, for a total of five quarter-sections north and east of the two government-owned quarter-sections comprising the Natural Area. With some adjacent lands in the vicinity the total area of protected land now exceeds 470 ha (1200 acres). The two original Hopkins’ quarter-sections are now called the Hopkins Conservation Site and are accessible to the public [2].
Biophysical Observations (via iNaturalist.ca)
Are you a member of iNaturalist.ca? It is free to join and you can help nature by making observations with your smart phone.
If there are no or only a few observations, how about visiting and adding some? While there, complete a site inspection report (but read the Site Inspections terms and conditions first).
Observations & Projects for this Natural Area
- Coyote Lake (OC) Observations.
- Coyote Lake (PNT) Observations.
- No iNaturalist Projects.
Site Statistics
| Site Name | Coyote Lake – OC |
| Site Type | Natural Area |
| Subtype | Order-in-council (OC) |
| Natural Region(s) | Central Mixedwood; Dry Mixedwood |
| O.C. No. (Land Ref. Manual) | 584/92 |
| PASite ID (Map Ref #) | 275 |
| Site # (Parks Website) | 439 |
| Total Area | 321.59 ha/794.63 ac. |
| Steward-Status | |
| Recreation Activities | birding; wildlife viewing; botanizing |
| IUCN | II |
| Operated By | Parks Division |
| Notes and Comments |
Coyote Lake (Protective Notation)
| Site Name | Coyote Lake – PNT |
| Site Type | Natural Area |
| Subtype | Protective Notation (PNT) |
| Natural Region(s) | Central Mixedwood; Dry Mixedwood |
| O.C. No. (Land Ref. Manual) | N/A |
| PASite ID (Map Ref #) | 275 |
| Site # (Parks Website) | N/A |
| Total Area | 907.75 ha/2243.09 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: Government of Alberta – Information & Facilities – Coyote Lake Natural Area | Alberta Parks (2022-02-26).
- Ceh, Katelyn. Director of Conservation Parkland and Grassland, Nature Conservancy of Canada. Email, 2022-03-15.
- Hopkins Conservation Site (Nature Conservancy of Canada).
Further Reading
- SAPAA Newsletter No. 19, May 2008, p. 4.
- Griffiths, D.E. & G.C.D. Griffiths, October 1987. Biophysical Survey of the Coyote Lake District, Leduc County, Alberta. Edmonton, Alberta Forestry, Lands and Wildlife.
SAPAA 
Donating land to the public good that your family originally homesteaded is an act of generosity few of us can imagine. Yet this is what the Hopkins and their neighbours have done. Today, Coyote Lake is both an unique ecological area as well as a welcome oasis near metro-Edmonton.
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