This remote site is only accessible on foot or by boat from the Peace River which forms its northern boundary. It is located about 70 km slightly northwest of Fairview.
- Map of the Area
- Other Information
- 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
A major portion of this ER consists of valley slopes of the Peace River. Maturing aspen/shrub forest with mixedwood stands covers 70% of the site. Moose, Mule Deer and Black Bear are common. Waterfowl nesting and breeding habitat is limited but the Peace River is a spring and fall staging area for ducks and geese. Six plant species occur that are beyond their normal range (drooping wood reed, turned sedge, striped coralroot, low milkweed, clustered broom-rape, alpine aster). The location is remote making access difficult.
Dunvegan West Wildland Provincial Park [1] stretches along the south bank of the Peace River from Dunvegan to the B.C. border. Consisting of about twelve individual parcels of land, the ER adjoins the WWP along one of its central parcels. Dunvegan West WPP includes a unique mixture of grassland, aspen forest and steep-sided creek valleys.
Many of the plants and birds in the WWP are more typical of the Parkland Natural Region located far to the south. The WWP contains hoodoos and fossil beds. Its bedrock cliffs are home to nesting Bald Eagles, Golden Eagles and falcons. Red-sided and Wandering Garter Snakes den along the river. South-facing slopes support typical parkland vegetation, with clones of aspen, shrubs, and grassland communities. Cacti are found on some of the drier sites. The valleys are key year-round habitat for deer and Elk.
The WPP is not to be confused with the Dunvegan Natural Area (PNT) which is farther downstream on the other side of the river and near the locality of Dunvegan.
Political Hay in 1987. 1987 was designated the Year of Wildlife Conservation in Canada by provincial and territorial wildlife ministers and their agencies. In Alberta, Wildlife ’87: Gaining Momentum was spearheaded by Cam Finlay, a well-known Alberta naturalist. More than a dozen new Natural Areas and several Ecological Reserves, including the Silver Valley ER, were designated during this period [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
- Observations for this Natural Area.
- No iNaturalist Projects,
Site Statistics
| Site Name | Silver Valley |
| Site Type | Ecological Reserve |
| Subtype | Order-in-council (OC) |
| Natural Region(s) | Dry Mixedwood |
| O.C. No. (Land Ref. Manual) | 437/87 |
| PASite ID (Map Ref #) | 484 |
| Site # (Parks Website) | 410 |
| Total Area | 1805.06 ha. (4460.40 ac.) |
| Steward-Status | |
| Recreation Activities | Hiking – backcountry |
| IUCN | IA |
| Operated By | Parks Division |
| 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 – Silver Valley Ecological Area | Alberta Parks (All links accessed on 2023-02-10).
- Alberta Parks, Dunvegan West Wildland Provincial Park.
- History of Natural Areas and Ecological Reserves 1977-1994, SAPAA Newsletter No. 41, January 2022, pp. 3,4.
Further Reading
Site Inspections
- No Site Inspections to date.
SAPAA 