The Nature Conservancy of Canada is holding a weekend of events in the Crowsnest Pass.

Residents will have the opportunity to volunteer and learn more about the conservation work happening in the area.

Manager of Engagement for the Alberta Region, Keltie Manolakas, says there are many different options for the public to partake in.

“It's really a weekend full of a variety of different public engagement events. There are two conservation volunteer events. One will be happening on Friday and one will be happening on Saturday. Those are on two different Nature Conservancy properties. They'll involve clearing out some fencing, just to decrease the barriers for wildlife.”

Registration for the volunteer events is free but needs to be done by Thursday, September 26th.

People can register for the volunteer events at conservationvolunteers.ca

There will also be an option for a drawing workshop Saturday as well.
“At the volunteer event on Saturday, part of that will feature a drawing workshop with local artist Tony Partridge. He'll lead that on the banks of the Crowsnest River on one of our properties there. It's open to the public. If people can't make it to the volunteer event but want to register for that drawing workshop they can do that as well,” said Manolakas.

Manolakas also says there is a special evening planned as part of the weekend.

“Also on Friday night at 7:00 we are having an event at the Pass Powderkeg Ski Lodge called Wild Cocktails and Conservation. It's an evening to celebrate the Crowsnest Pass. The Nature Conservancy has been working in the Pass for a number of years to conserve the wild spaces that make it so unique. That night we are featuring some local music with Tynan Groves and we are also helping our Eco partners Wildlife Distillery out of Canmore launch their Alberta Botanical gin. We have a partnership with them where a dollar from each of the bottles sold goes to the Nature Conservancy of Canada. The gin is made with botanicals that are foraged from a property right in the Crowsnest Pass.”

Manolakas says while they will talk briefly about the work being done at the Nature Conservancy, the evening will be more geared towards celebrating and enjoyment.

Tickets for that event are available online at natureconservancy.ca/events for $10 or at the door for $15.

To finish off the weekend, residents can make their way to Leitch Collieries for a barbeque.

“On Sunday, at the Leitch Collieries historic site, we're hosting a community barbeque from 11:30-1:30 and that's just a drop in. We'll be there potentially with some other conservation partners. It's a family friendly event and you can just pop in for a burger and we'll have some info to share and things to hand out,” said Manolakas.

According to Manolakas, this is the first time the Nature Conservancy has put on an event like this and are thankful for their sponsors support in putting this weekend on.

“This is the first time we've ever done something like this in the area. This weekends events are sponsored by CP and we are really grateful for their support.”

For more information on the events happening and other work being done, people can visit natureconservancy.ca

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