​Kits Have Arrived! 
We are pleased to announce that our feeder and box kits have finally arrived! We can now start selling bluebird and chickadee boxes again. Please contact us if you are looking to buy some.  Contact 

​A total of 19 delighted owl enthusiasts visited EBF on Wednesday May 20, 2020 to get a private and exclusive viewing of the owl family. Participants were also given the opportunity to have a site tour that highlighted the new projects being undertaken by EBF.  A curbside Gift Shop was set up and our Research Coordinator, Shaye Hill, had an interesting owl display set up in the Grain Elevator. 

The visitors, who came in two groups (1:00- 3:00 PM/ 4:00 - 6:00 PM) and followed health protocols, were treated to great views of Rose and Fred (who are already out of the nest)  as well as Minnie and Walter (who are not yet old enough to branch).

The enthusiastic response to this special event - which was held in partnership with Medicine River Wildlife Centre (MRWC) - was very heartening. We thank all the participants for their generous support. Our thanks to Judy Boyd from MRWC for being on hand to talk about owls and animal fostering. 

Former EBF board member, Leo de Groot, kindly videotaped the event and collected short interviews from visitors. These video clips will be posted soon. 

Excellent owl images by ​Lori Kupsch.

​At least one badger has been making occasional visits to EBF over the past two years. Although rarely seen, its large holes can be seen in various areas around the site. We are pleased to have this iconic mammal as a backyard neighbour! 

Our EBF Research Coordinator, Shaye Hill, conducted a Global Big Day (hosted by Cornell Lab of Ornithology) on Saturday May 9th. She was able to get an impressive list of 53 bird species! Link to spreadsheet at bottom.

​EBF hosted a Research Committee meeting on Sunday May 10 to ensure that all our research projects for the season are ready to go. Our Research Coordinator (Shaye Hill, centre) was able to tour our Scientific Advisor, Dr. Natalia LIfshitz (left), and our Research Chair, Kelsey Bourgeois, around the site prior to the meeting. We were happy to see the owlets!  

EBF is very pleased to report that we have received a recent grant from TD Friends of the Environment Foundation to develop Nature Play areas at EBF!  Kirstin Bouwsema, who will be overseeing the project, recently met with Wayne Froese to finalize the project details.  EBF will be showcasing "loose parts play" and other nature-based play areas on the site. Most exciting! We are very grateful to TD FEF for supporting important initiatives at EBF. 

We are grateful to Del McKinnon of the Purple Martin Conservancy (PMC) and PMC member, Rob Aellen, for installing the refurbished Jim Boyd boxes. These boxes - which honour the memory and generous donation of the late Jim Boyd of Bashaw - will be a beautiful addition to the site this summer! 

These are difficult times, so the EBF Board of Directors is working closely with Dustin and Kimberly Barthel, our Cafe Operators, to see if and when they can open for the summer. We are actively working on a reopening plan and will post updated details as soon as they are finalized.