Claudia Lipski, Ellis Bird Farm's Education Coordinator, has received a prestigious award from Nature Alberta for her contribution to the Buffalo Lake Nature Club. The award -  The Frank and Alice Harper Memorial Award - recognizes an individual’s unassuming commitment and service to a local Alberta nature club, and their efforts to support the betterment, efficiency, administration, operation and fulfillment of the club’s mandate. The award is named for Frank and Alice Harper, two long-time naturalists with the Lethbridge Naturalists Society who exemplified those admirable qualities of people who give whole-heartedly of themselves in carrying out the duties associated with keeping Alberta’s nature clubs active and vibrant.  She was presented with the award by Nature Alberta Past President, Dr. Lou Carbyn.  ​

Each year, Ellis Bird Farm awards a $1,000.00 scholarship to a deserving student in the Wolf Creek School Division. The purpose of the scholarship is to recognize genuine interest in the environment and to facilitate further study in the areas of conservation and the environment. Funding for this award comes from the Charlie and Winnie Ellis Memorial Fund.
 
This year, Ellis Bird Farm was pleased to present the scholarship to Nick Harper. Nick, who is studying at the University of Alberta, Augustana Campus, has long had an interest in the environment and plans to become a wildlife biologist.  Presenting the award to Nick at the Ecole Lacombe Composite High School Awards Night on November 23 on behalf of Ellis Bird Farm was ELCHS teacher Christa Henderson. ​

​EBF has taken delivery of 10 American Kestrel boxes from Mitchell Warne. Mitchell is coordinating a province-wide initiative to place nestboxes for American Kestrels. Ellis Bird Farm will be participating in this program and invites others to join in too!  https://www.warneinthewild.com/american-kestrel-nest-box-program

Education Coordinator, Claudia Lipski, and Social Media Coordinator, Kirstin Bouwsema, have been busy finalizing the 2019 schedule of events. We have lots of exciting programs planned for the upcoming season! ​

​Barry Simpson of Wel-Can Welding of Red Deer has offered to build us a viewing tower at the site. This tower, a memorial to his granddaughter who passed away last fall, will provide an exciting new way for visitors to enjoy the EBF site. Maureen Carey (on top of the ladder!) and Myrna Pearman are seen here with Barry, discussing the details of the tower