Walker House, Inglewood Bird Sanctuary

Yesterday morning, 9 September 2017, I joined several friends for a morning's bird walk at the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary in Calgary. I will add our leader's report in a comment box below. Thanks for a very enjoyable walk, Janet, followed by lunch at the nearby Blackfoot Truckstop Diner!

At the Sanctuary, people must stay on the path. There are various deer trails or places where Beavers have dragged logs to the lagoon. These are not 'paths' for visitors to walk along. Our leader is a steward at the Sanctuary and she explained about staying on the path to a young woman who was ignoring the rules. However, this woman took no notice and stayed where she was, wanting to take photos. Ignorant.

"The Inglewood Bird Sanctuary and Nature Centre have been providing migratory birds with a place to rest their wings since 1929. That's more than 80 years of conservation!

To date, 270 species of birds, 21 species of mammals and 347 species of plants have been recorded at the Sanctuary and Nature Centre by members of the public, volunteers and staff.

In 1883, Colonel James Walker settled the land that is now occupied by the sanctuary. In 1910, the current brick house - then named Inglewood - was built, and the surrounding area was named for the most prominent property in the area.

From 1929 to 1952, several Chinese families leased land from Colonel Walker and established market gardens to serve the needs of a growing city. These highly productive gardens were used to grow vegetables and bedding plants, and represent an early example of urban agriculture and horticulture in the city. As part of the engagement process for Bend in Bow, it was discovered the descendants of one of the families, the Koo family, still reside in Calgary.

Colonel Walker's son, Selby, applied to the Federal government in 1929 to have 59 acres on the west side of the Bow River be designated as a Federal Migratory Bird Sanctuary. His request was granted and the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary was born.

When Selby died in 1953, Ed Jefferies acquired the property and leased it to the Alberta Fish & Game Association. In 1970, The City of Calgary purchased the property and has been managing it as a natural reserve ever since.

The sanctuary's Nature Centre was built in 1996 and grassland restoration projects began in that same year.
The Colonel Walker House is currently used by Parks staff and volunteers as a classroom and office."

www.calgary.ca/CSPS/Parks/Pages/Locations/SE-parks/Inglew...