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Convallaria majalis
Lily of the Valley
COMMUNITY
RESOURCES
Biodiverse
Field Study
Locations
Exceptional examples of diverse ecosystems across AB & SK.
Tangent Park Campground, AB
A stunning hike, if somewhat of a bumpy terrain. This park is situated in an important microclimate, allowing for incredible diversity. If you visit in late May to early June, look for (and document!) the Cecropia moth- North America's largest moth, which supposedly is not found anywhere north of Edmonton.
Bunchberry Meadows, AB
This conservation site is so incredible, I almost regret sharing it. Situated in the only old-growth birch forest I have ever had the pleasure of visiting, Bunchberry Meadows is a site of incredible ecological importance. If you have the opportunity to visit, do not pass it up.
Vermilion Provincial Park, AB
An accessible park with easy to moderate walking trails through aspen forest and riparian zones, located in the heart of Vermilion, AB. Full of old-growth trees, diverse and productive forest edges, and an incredible array of lichen.
Suffern Lake, SK
A gorgeous and unique arid ecosystem, well-maintained by the caretakers of Suffern Lake Campground. Explore easy to moderate trails, spanning the aspen forest, riparian zone, and sand dunes.
Brightsand Lake Regional Park, SK
A moderately difficult hiking trail (with botanical signage!) takes you through diverse aspen and spruce forests, riparian zones, and across the Brightsand Lake esker.
When visiting these important ecological sites, ensure you follow trail etiquette, and read and adhere to any posted rules and regulations. Some of these sites DO NOT allow foraging. Leave no trace and NEVER dig plants from the wild.
CITIZEN SCIENCE
PROJECTS
For most of history, the majority of our knowledge of the natural world was not shaped by experts as we now think of them; rather, by passionate and dedicated amateurs, whose keen observations and careful documentation formed the foundation of the ecological sciences.
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​This spirit continues today through the practice of citizen science; opportunities for the curious to take part in meaningful data collection that contributes greatly to the pursuit of ecological knowledge and conservation.
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This page lists ecological citizen science directories and projects across Alberta and Saskatchewan. These projects are not affiliated with the Ladybird Company; they are shared in the hopes of connecting with the broader community of environmental stewardship and field learning. Every observation matters. Every submission helps to broaden our collective understanding of the land we call home.
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​External Learning & References
Supplemental resources for the committed and the curious.
* These external organizations and resources operate independently of The Ladybird Company. They are shared for educational purposes only.
Provincial & Federal
Ecology Organizations
Excellent sources for trusted information, workshops, tours, conferences, classes, conservation projects, databases, etc.
Alberta Native Plant​ Council (ANPC)
Nature Alberta (NA)
Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan​
Nature Saskatchewan
Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute (ABMI)
Saskatchewan Conservation Data Centre
Canadian Botanical Association https://www.cba-abc.ca/
NatureServe Canada
Network of Nature
Seeds of Diversity
Herbals, Botanical Illustrations, Herbariums & Other Plant Databases
Sources to use for accurate identification & ID verification,
and to research species' characteristics,
Canada Museum of Nature Herbarium Mounts
https://www.canadensys.net/collection/e82e8b96-cd63-41c4-aa47-be1e018906c9/specimens
A Curious Herbal Vol. 1 (late 1730s)
by Elizabeth Blackwell
Hand-Artlas sämmtlicher medicinisch-pharmaceutischer Gewächse (1876)
by Dr. Wilibald Artus
Spices, their nature and growth, the vanilla bean, a talk on tea (1915)
by McCormick and Company
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Foraging & Ethics
External references regarding best wildcrafting practices.