Our conservation lands are open for foot access and day use only, and are free of charge to visit. Please help us protect the wildlife, plant communities and beauty of the natural areas when you visit, by following these guidelines when visiting EALT's conservation lands (adapted from Leave No Trace).

Plan Ahead

• Choose a natural area to visit, and view its page to find directions on how to get there and trail maps. Carpool if possible, as parking is limited. If there are no detailed maps or directions posted on our website this means the specific conservation land is not currently open to the public.

• Let someone else know where you are going and when you expect to return. Cellular service can be unreliable at many of our conservation lands.

• EALT’s lands have either a designated parking area, roadside parking, or both. Roadside parking is available subject to the Alberta Traffic Safety Act and local bylaws. There must be clear space for the passage of other vehicles and a clear view of the parked vehicle for 60 metres in each direction. Peace Officers may issue fines if they deem your vehicle to be an obstruction to the passage of other vehicles.

Be Prepared

• Check the weather forecast, and prepare for varying conditions. Bring water, food, first aid kit, sunscreen, insect repellent, extra clothing, etc.

• Check the Alberta Emergency Alerts webpage and the Alberta Wildfires webpage to see if there are any active alerts or wildfires near where you plan to visit.

• Be aware of the potential for wildlife. Moose and deer are present on all our lands, and bear and cougar have been spotted at most of them. Travel in groups and carry bear spray. Familiarize yourself on what to do if you encounter wildife.

• Trails on our sites are rustic. We recommend wearing long pants to protect yourself from scratches in case of overgrown vegetation.

• Most of our conservation lands do not have bathrooms, so use the facilities before you leave home. If nature calls, find a sheltered spot away from the trail, bag and pack your toilet paper out, and bury any remains. Bunchberry Meadows Conservation Area does have outhouses.

Be Respectful

• Do not remove or damage any trees, flowers, plants, mushrooms, animals, minerals, or fossils. Do not collect berries or mushrooms to bring home with you.

• While we have our own geocaches on some of our conservation lands, please do not place your own geocaches on our lands.

• Respect and quietly observe wildlife by giving them their space. Do not approach or feed wildlife, as this may frighten them, or put you in a dangerous situation.

• Stay on EALT lands and do not cross onto others' private property.

Minimize Impact

Reduce your impact when visiting our lands will help ensure that the natural areas continue to be preserved, and will reduce negative impacts on these environmentally significant lands.

• Stay on designated trail systems, and read and abide by signage found on our lands.

• Off-Highway Vehicles (OHVs), including ATVs, quads, snowmobiles, dirt bikes, and other motorized vehicles are not allowed due to the impacts they have on the landscape, particularly erosion, soil compaction, spreading invasive plant seeds, fire risk, and noise disturbance.

• Mountain biking and horseback riding can also cause similar disturbances, and are not allowed.

• Campfires and smoking are not permitted at any time due to the risk of wildfire, even if fire bans are not in place. Camping is also not permitted.

• Recreational drone use is not permitted.

• Feeding wildlife, including birds, is not permitted. Do not put up bird feeders or leave bird seed on EALT conservation lands.

• Hunting is not permitted at most sites, but is allowed at Golden Ranches and Hicks. Visit the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s website for more information about permission for hunting at these sites.

Leave No Trace

• Take nothing but photos, leave nothing but footprints.

• Do not litter. Take your garbage with you. Garbage cans are only available at Bunchberry Meadows Conservation Area, located only at the parking lot.

• Keep pets on a leash and clean up after them.

  • Dogs are not permitted at Bunchberry Meadows Conservation Area, the Lu Carbyn Nature Sanctuary, and JBJ McDonald Conservation Land.

Enjoy Nature

• Enjoy low impact activities such as hiking, bird watching, nature study, photography, snowshoeing or cross country skiing.