LOCATION
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• Located in Westlock County
• Near Cross Lake Provincial Park
• 130 kilometers from central Edmonton
VISITING GUIDELINES
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Please read our full guidelines before visiting our sites.
No dogs allowed
DIRECTIONS, PARKING & TRAILS
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• Roadside parking
• 7 km of trails
• Trails encounter some hills, wet areas, and uneven ground
• Recommended for intermediate or experienced hikers due to remote location
• Bears and cougars frequent this area
SHARE ABOUT YOUR VISIT
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Tag @EdAreaLandTrust in your photos, and share with #CCW_EALT
““Four young grandchildren motivated me a lot. We needed a family place, with a view of giving the grandchildren something that they would not normally get by living in an urban setting. I found great inspiration, self-worth, and meaning in life by having had the opportunity to be “in touch” with nature as a young person. That is why I wanted something like it for the grandchildren.””
Wildlife and Habitat
Carbyn Creek Wildlands contains mature mixedwoods forest and spruce bogs, with a view of the creek that winds its way through the boreal forest landscape. The site provides breeding habitat for songbirds, and refuge for mammals of all sizes.
A variety of bird species have been recorded during breeding bird surveys including Pileated Woodpecker, Broad-winged Hawk, and many songbirds such as the Black-and-White Warbler, Boreal Chickadee, and Blue-headed Vireo. This land also provides habitat for other species including moose, bear, and amphibians like the western toad.
Legacy
Lu Carbyn, a renowned wildlife biologist and Adjunct Professor from the University of Alberta, donated this land to EALT in 2023. Because of the diversity of wildlife at this land, it has been the site of research projects, student field trips, and educational walks. Lu has entrusted his vision of Carbyn Creek Wildlands to remain a site for research, education, and nature appreciation to EALT. Lu’s career in wildlife biology focused on predatory mammals, especially wolves. He is the recipient of several awards, including the Wildlife Society’s Distinguished Service Award, is a representative on committees and boards, and has written several books about wildlife.
Importance
Carbyn Creek Wildlands is located close to Cross Lake Provincial Park, as well as several other Crown Lands, significant lakes, natural areas and other types of protected lands. Collectively, they provide significant habitat for wildlife, and conserving this area assures landscape connectivity for wildlife as they live and move in the area.
Stewardship Highlights and Recent News
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Roadside access to land at: 54.569570, -113.836271