Coyote Lake Conservation Area

Preserving a dream

Doris & Eric Hopkins (Photo by Kevin Connolly)

In 1996, Doris and Eric Hopkins fulfilled a long-held dream: their generous donation of land, along with the support of local landowners, the provincial government and NCC, ensured that the nature they came to respect would be protected in perpetuity with the creation of the Coyote Lake Conservation Area.

Almost 24 years earlier, the couple had purchased the land as their retirement property through a Canadian Pacific Railway auction. They soon realized the significance and natural values of the property when a study found that the area showed no effects of industrial or agricultural pollutants. This further emphasized to Eric and Doris the importance of conserving their land and the land surrounding Coyote Lake.

Located 100 kilometres southwest of Edmonton, the lake is situated within one of the richest biological areas of Alberta. Nestled in a transition zone between the dry mixed wood boreal forest and the central parkland natural regions, the Coyote Lake area supports over 22 mammal species, 154 bird species (nine of which are imperiled), 266 plant species including a number of rare and uncommon orchids and Columbian Watermeal — a species first recorded in Alberta at this site.

When the Hopkins learned of the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC), which had purchased 320 acres (130 hectares) on the southeast corner of the lake in 1994, they decided to donate their land to the organization. Combined with donations from neighbouring landowners and land designated as Natural Areas by the province, the Hopkins’ donation contributed to a total of 800 acres (324 hectares) of lands conserved by NCC.

The property is designated into two parts: the Nature Sanctuary (320 acres) and the Conservation Area (480 acres).

On September 30, 2006, at our Annual Recognition Awards Dinner, the Alberta Region of the Nature Conservancy of Canada introduced two new awards. The first award is the Eric and Doris Hopkins Stewardship Excellence Award. This award has been created to honour those individuals or groups who demonstrate their commitment to the conservation of ecologically significant lands in Alberta through the Nature Conservancy of Canada. It was our honour to present this newly created award to Doris and Eric Hopkins in recognition of their dedication and commitment.

A second award, the Volunteer Steward of the Year, has been newly created by the Alberta Region of the Nature Conservancy of Canada. This award was presented, also for the first time, at the September Annual Recognition Awards Dinner to Oscar Zawalsky for his tireless work at the Coyote Lake Nature Sanctuary.

The Alberta Region of NCC also nominated Doris Hopkins for the 2006 Yves Rocher Women of the Earth Award.
Their success has inspired the Hopkins with another dream: to conserve the lands along Coyote Lake Creek to the North Saskatchewan River. Eric Hopkins passed away in November 2006 before seeing this dream completed. The Alberta Region created the Eric Hopkins Memorial Fund to raise money to see this dream realized.

We can all learn from the lesson taught to us by Doris and Eric Hopkins - to each take small steps to protect the things that matter most.

Nature Sanctuary

Coyote Lake (Photo by Kevin Connolly)

The Nature Sanctuary is open to the public for daytime visits and self-guided hikes. Interpretive walks are also available for interested groups who book ahead through NCC. Group walks and guided tours are available by prior arrangement through NCC. Visitors may use the premises at their own risk.

When visiting the Sanctuary, please:

Register at the house upon arrival;
Respect the wildlife and other visitors;
Use the picnic area provided;
Remove your own garbage;
Travel on designated paths only;
Ensure that all dogs are accompanied by their owner and controlled on a leash at all times;
Refrain from lighting fires or smoking;
Refrain from boating on the lake;
Respect that the Sanctuary does not permit the removal of any plants or animals.

Memorial Grove

The Coyote Lake Memorial Grove lies within the forest of the Coyote Lake Nature Sanctuary . This site is dedicated to the memory of those who held nature close to their hearts. For families who would like to remember their loved ones in a peaceful natural environment, there is a short loop trail where permanent plaques can be placed. The trail is wheelchair friendly.

For more details please contact our Calgary Office toll-free at 1-877-262-1253 or by e-mail at alberta@natureconservancy.ca.