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This ER anchors the northern boundary of the larger Parkland Dunes which extends 50 km south to Sounding Lake. The ER adjoins CFB Wainwright and the Wallaby Lake PRA.

[FP, MEDIUM DUE TO THE EXTENSIVE MATERIAL AVAILABLE, WHERE TO STOP!]

• Map of the Area
• Other Information
• Site Statistics
• References and Further Reading

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

Wainwright Dunes Ecological Reserve is part of a large and diverse area of sand dune, outwash and kame moraine; some dunes reach heights of 30 metres. Plant communities include a mixture of stunted aspen groves, low shrubs and grasslands. Plant species include sand heather and Houghton’s hedge. Rare plant species include annual skeletonweed, sand nut-grass, moss gentian and linear-leaved sundew.

Wainwright Dunes is difficult to reach. It can be approached from the west via Hwy 41 or from the south via Hwy 13. The nearest public road to the Reserve is roughly 1.6 km from the boundary. There are no public roads in Wainwright Dunes. Travel within the Reserve is restricted to foot only.

Part of Parkland Dunes. The Alberta Wilderness Association’s Parkland Dunes includes this ER. The Parkland Dunes extends about 50 km further south to Sounding Lake. This area is described as: rolling hills of native grasses interspersed with lush aspen groves, peatlands, and vibrant wetlands, the Parkland Dunes is an oasis in an otherwise agriculture-dominated landscape [1].

Aspen and Fires. Development has prevented natural fire regimes from taking place allowing shrubs and trees to take over grasslands. In Wainwright Dunes Ecological Reserve, the last recorded fire was in the 1980s. Shrub encroachment is “squeezing out” of species associated with the grasslands and dunes ecosystems. The AWA recommends prescribed burns to re-balance the eco-system [1].

Buffalo, Bombs, and Dunes. Canadian Forces Base Wainwright was previously the Wainwright Buffalo Park Reserve. It was turn over to the military in 1940 and was used as both a training and prisoner of war camp. In 1988, the ER is established south of the base [1].

Grand Trunk Pacific Railway. In 1908, Wainwright was named for a official with the GTPR [2].

Site Statistics

Site Name	Wainwright Dunes
Site Type	Ecological Reserve
Subtype	Order-in-council (OC)
Natural Region(s)	Central Parkland
O.C. No. (Land Ref. Manual)	39/88
PASite ID (Map Ref #)	487
Site # (Parks Website)	412
Total Area	2821.03 ha. (6970.66 ac.)
Steward-Status
Recreation Activities	Hiking – backcountry
IUCN	VI
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 – Wainwright Dunes Ecological Area | Alberta Parks (All links accessed on 2023-02-10).

1. Parkland Dunes – Alberta Wilderness Association
2. Aubrey, Merrily K., ed. Concise Place Names of Alberta. Calgary: University of Calgary Press, 2006; p. 343.

Further Reading

• Exploring Alberta’s East Central Sand Dunes Areas, H. Taube, SAPAA Newsletter No. 37 July 2018 pp. 2-3. This article references the following resources:
• Management Plan: Wainwright Dunes Ecological Reserve, February 1998 (Government of Alberta)
  • A rare plant survey of the Wainwright Dunes Ecological Reserve – Open Government (alberta.ca)
  • Classification of sand dune and sand plain plant communities in the Wainwright Dunes Ecological Reserve – Open Government (alberta.ca)
  • Survey of Lepidoptera of the Wainwright Dunes Ecological Reserve – Open Government (alberta.ca)
• Campbell, Carolyn; Taking a Road Less Travelled: Wainwright Dunes Ecological Reserve; WLA, June 2017, Vol. 25, No. 2, pp. 7-8.

Editing, Review and Silence Procedure

1. FRANK: Publish page
2. HUBERT/PATSY: Assign page for editing by update tbd in the Title (4-
3. Review for readability and alignment to SAPAA organizational reputation.
4. Best available image
5. Review for accuracy including:
   1. Correct map and site statistics
   2. Area size is correct
   3. Standards (e.g. use of hyphens, spelling, etc.)
   4. References are accessible and and notes match
6. Review for formatting, e.g.: Centered captions, No empty blocks
7. TEAM: Last walk through
   1. Any final discussion or notes
   2. Remove [name] from title
   3. Add to log book for silence procedure
   4. Delete these notes.