Natural Areas

Neighbours in Nature: Right Here in Brentwood

Did you know we have a wonderful natural area space wholly within our community? Whispering Woods – a fragment of our native grassland and aspen parkland, and the adjacent Centennial Natureground – a reclaimed prairie ecosystem, are easily accessible from either Brenner or Barrett Drives in Brentwood Heights. There you will also find Whispering Signs, a unique set of interpretive panels including an outdoor alphabet, featuring original art and poetry by community members and students. Go explore – either on the ground or at www.natureground.org.

Enjoy these spaces at any time of year. As well, each summer, community members, neighbours from far and wide, and families from Dr. E.W. Coffin School, together with the City of Calgary provide stewardship of these special spaces through native biodiversity conservation.

Join In! New volunteers are always welcome. See below announcement re the summer schedule and photos tab.

Thanks for your Giving: Neighbours in Community

SUMMER THURSDAYS: Join us for Biodiversity Bees and Social Stewardship!

Following closely on the 2024 themes for Earth Day: Planet vs. Plastics, for the International Day for Biological Diversity: Be Part of the Plan, and for World Environment Day: Our Land, Our Future. We are #GenerationRestoration, it seems like the perfect year to join in with communal stewardship right here in Brentwood.

Yes, we’ll be at it again! If you live, work, attend school, play, shop, volunteer, or visit in Brentwood – or would like to – please join us this summer for another season of social stewardship through biodiversity conservation in the Centennial Natureground and Whispering Woods – tucked away in the NW corner of Brentwood. Again this year, each attendee is encouraged to Bring Your Own Everything, such as gloves, tools, snacks, sunblock, insect repellent, small collection bucket [such as an ice cream pail], and your own drinking water. We will have larger collection containers/bags for litter and weeds, along with sharing delightful neighbourly conversation.

Please join us and become part of the unfolding stories of inspiring community building and care in our local natural areas. We will be meeting on all 9 THURSDAYS in July and August. The first 8 evenings will be from 6:30-8:00 p.m., and the final evening will be a little earlier, from 5:30-7:00 p.m. The final gathering will also be followed by our annual season-ending Celebration. Along with any Potluck items, it will be a Bring Your Own Everything (BYOE) Picnic (plates, cups, utensils, food, drink, etc.).

Calgarians have repeatedly demonstrated delight in getting to know their neighbours through shared activities of all sorts. You are heartily encouraged to enjoy such camaraderie by joining these fun and festive Community Biodiversity Bees.

• Bring your families; Bring your friends!
• Make an outing of the occasion and enjoy the full opportunities provided by the area’s recreation, gardening, and gathering spaces.
• Socialize. Learn. Help. No experience required!
• Strengthen and Sustain your community through conversation, collaboration, and celebration.
• BYOE!

WHERE:
Meet at the Prairie Amphitheatre in Whispering Woods, just off Brenner Drive NW, or in the adjacent Centennial Natureground on the west side of Dr. Coffin School, at 5615 Barrett Drive NW. Dress for the weather, and for gardening. We will be working in both Whispering Woods and the Centennial Natureground. Arrive and assist as you’re willing and able, and please remember to bring your own everything, as mentioned above.

Environmentally yours, Polly Lee Knowlton Cockett
Grassroutes Ethnoecological Association, naturegroundnews@gmail.com