​ELLIS BIRD FARM WILL BE OPEN MAY 20TH. SEE YOU THEN! ​

Ellie and Albert have three hatchlings!

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Meet Tyson, Bree and Buster!
 Photos and live cameras   HERE

celebrating Arbour Day at Ellis Bird Farm this year

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​We are celebrating Arbour Day at Ellis Bird Farm this year! This means for one day, we will be open before Victoria Day weekend. On Saturday, May 4th, we will be doing a two-part celebration of Arbour Day with Charlie's Trees being the star attraction.
First, we are looking for strong and able volunteers, aged 16 years or older, who would like to lend a hand moving trees onsite as we redistribute seedling spruce trees from Charlie Ellis' original shelter belt to new locations. Volunteers need to be on hand at 9:30AM and will receive lunch following a morning of tree moving. Please register ahead to be part of this effort by emailing info@ellisbirdfarm.ca.
Second, we are offering Charlie's Trees to the general public between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM. Bring your own spade and pot, make a donation and take a spruce tree seedling to plant at home, spreading Charlie Ellis' tree-planting legacy across Central Alberta. 

beautiful ellie on nest

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​Ellie is sitting up higher in the nest now that she has three little ones. The webcamera that offers such great views can be seen in the upper right corner. 
Photo by Myrna Pearman

replacing old fence boards around the site

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April 2019 - ​We have been busy replacing old rotten fence boards around the site. New fences are just a few of the upgrades and changes that visitors will notice when we open this season

renovating the main water garden

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APR 19, 2019 - EBF gardener, Linda Sommers, and EBF Board member, Howard Oudman, meet with Grant and Adrian from Water By Design, the company that will be renovating the main water garden in the next few weeks. 

new Year of the Grouse display

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April 2019 - Wayne Froese and Sam Krause helped move a display cover from the Ellis Centre to the Visitor Centre. We are going to be setting up a display to celebrate The Year of the Grouse. For more information about this initiative, check out   https://www.battleriverarts.ca/

beginning special nature play area for children

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April 2019 - ​Wayne Froese of Top Peg Timber Framing topped one of the large poplar trees that was girdled a few years ago by beavers. The downed section of tree will be the first element in what will become a special nature play area for children. 

Fred Schutz, founding EBF board member passes away

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Fred Schutz, founding EBF board member and well-known local writer, naturalist and historian, passed away on March 27 at the age of 98. A celebration of his life will be held at the Rimbey United Church (4931 – 51st Ave) on April 13th at 11 AM. 
 
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Ellis Bird Farm, Box 5090, Lacombe, AB, T4L 1W7.  All donations made in Fred's memory will be put towards the new Fred Schutz Library, which will house some of his extensive book collection. 
Frederick George Schutz - Fred Schutz died peacefully with family at his side on March 27, 2019 at the age of 98.
Fred was born in Trochu Alberta on Oct 14, 1920, he lived for 70 years on a homestead in the Blindman River Valley, then moved to Rimbey where he resided until his death.
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Fred was an Award winning writer, as well as a naturalist and historian. He travelled the world and loved exploring and adventure.  He spent many hours sharing his knowledge of nature, animals, birds and the land.
His interests included, photography, birdwatching, astronomy, and collecting antiques and artifacts.  He was a founding member of the Ellis Bird Farm, and Pas-ka-poo Park and Museum. He was the recipient of many awards for his contributions to Alberta and local history.
Fred will be missed by his sister Dorothy Barker, his nephew Allan (Joyce) and his nieces Maureen (Les), Carol (Abe) and Donna, 8 grand nieces and nephews, his very good friend Maxine O’Riordon, and his many friends and neighbors.  He was predeceased by his parents Gertrude and Charles, his brother Allan and his nieces Lorraine and Loa.
A celebration of his life will be held at the Rimbey United Church (4931 – 51st Ave), April 13th at 11 am with a reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Ellis Bird Farm, Box 5090, Lacombe, AB, T4L 1W7.

Basic information

Hours of Operation for next 2019 season will be:
Tuesday through Sunday 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Holiday Mondays 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
*Admission to EBF by drop-in visitors is by donation.
*Tour groups must book ahead.
​Contact Ellis Bird Farm
Event Calendar ​​Check out our summer
FAQ  Questions you might have about EBF
​Ellis Café
Donations are welcome and gratefully accepted at Ellis Bird Farm, to ensure that we keep running.

WISH LIST

  • Wheelbarrow
  • Household brooms
  • Yarn and plastic lacing cord 
  • Umbrellas to loan out to visitors on rainy days    
  •  Wooden or nature-based plastic beads for our  school and day camp programs
  • Old fashioned one-speed bike (to keep the farmstead theme of EBF). This would be used for staff to open and close the gate and other errands around the site.
  • Leaf blowers 
  • Bistro sets (small table, two chairs)
  •  Shoelaces (new or lightly used)
  • World globes
  • Craft supplies, tempera and acrylic paints for crafts
  • Golf cart
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