Beaver Hills (Alberta)
Encyclopedia
The Beaver Hills, also known as the Cooking Lake Moraine, are a rolling upland
region in Central Alberta
, just to the east of Edmonton
, the provincial capital. It consists of 1572 square kilometres (607 sq mi) of "knob and knuckle" terrain, containing many glacial moraines and depressions filled with small lakes. The landform lies partly within five different counties, Strathcona, Leduc, Beaver
, Lamont and Camrose. The area is relatively undeveloped compared to the surrounding region, and is protected by in part by Elk Island National Park
, the Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Grazing, Wildlife, and Provincial Recreation Area, the Ministik Bird Sanctuary, Miquelon Lake Provincial Park
and a number of smaller provincial natural areas.
The soils of the area are poor, which is why the area was never developed for agriculture. The vegetation is typically of part of the Dry Mixedwood Boreal Forest Natural Subregion, a transitional zone on the south edge of the boreal forest, but is surrounded by Aspen Parkland
. This island of boreal forest in the south means that both boreal animal species (moose
, black bear
, Canada lynx
) and grassland animal species (sharp-tailed grouse
, mule deer
) live in the region. Nearby landscapes include Beaverhill Lake
just to the east, and the North Saskatchewan River
to the north.
This is one of oldest protected areas in Canada, having originally been a forest reserve set aside by the federal department of the interior in 1892, during the homesteading
era. It was formalized as the Cooking Lake Forest Reserve in 1899, the first such reserve in Canada. A part of the reserve was given further protection in 1906 as Elk Park, later to become Elk Island National Park. In 1930, Crown lands in Alberta passed from the federal government to the provincial government, Elk Park became formalized as a national park while the rest of the Cooking Lake Forest Reserve became a provincial responsibility.
In 2002 the Beaver Hills Initiative was created to coordinate land-use planning in the municipalities in the area surrounding the protected parks. This resulted in a scheme of tradable development credits. In 2006 the area became recognized as a dark sky preserve
by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada
.
Upland
Upland may refer to:*Highland , an area of higher land*Upland Place namesIn Germany:*Upland - mountain range in the state of Hesse.In Sweden:*Uppland, a province of Sweden In the United States:...
region in Central Alberta
Central Alberta
Central Alberta is a region located in the Canadian province of Alberta.Central Alberta is the most densely populated rural area in the province...
, just to the east of Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
, the provincial capital. It consists of 1572 square kilometres (607 sq mi) of "knob and knuckle" terrain, containing many glacial moraines and depressions filled with small lakes. The landform lies partly within five different counties, Strathcona, Leduc, Beaver
Beaver County
Beaver County is the name of three counties in the United States, and one in Canada:* Beaver County, Oklahoma* Beaver County, Pennsylvania* Beaver County, Utah* Beaver County, Alberta...
, Lamont and Camrose. The area is relatively undeveloped compared to the surrounding region, and is protected by in part by Elk Island National Park
Elk Island National Park
Elk Island National Park , is one of 43 national parks and park reserves administered by the Parks Canada Agency. This “island of conservation” is located 35 km east of Edmonton, Alberta along the Yellowhead Highway, which nearly bisects the park...
, the Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Grazing, Wildlife, and Provincial Recreation Area, the Ministik Bird Sanctuary, Miquelon Lake Provincial Park
Miquelon Lake Provincial Park
Miquelon Lake Provincial Park is a provincial park located in Alberta, Canada.The park was established on May 20, 1958.-External links:...
and a number of smaller provincial natural areas.
The soils of the area are poor, which is why the area was never developed for agriculture. The vegetation is typically of part of the Dry Mixedwood Boreal Forest Natural Subregion, a transitional zone on the south edge of the boreal forest, but is surrounded by Aspen Parkland
Aspen parkland
Aspen parkland refers to a very large area of transitional biome between prairie and boreal forest in two sections; the Peace River Country of northwestern Alberta crossing the border into British Columbia, and a much larger area stretching from central Alberta, all across central Saskatchewan to...
. This island of boreal forest in the south means that both boreal animal species (moose
Moose
The moose or Eurasian elk is the largest extant species in the deer family. Moose are distinguished by the palmate antlers of the males; other members of the family have antlers with a dendritic configuration...
, black bear
American black bear
The American black bear is a medium-sized bear native to North America. It is the continent's smallest and most common bear species. Black bears are omnivores, with their diets varying greatly depending on season and location. They typically live in largely forested areas, but do leave forests in...
, Canada lynx
Canada Lynx
The Canada lynx or Canadian lynx is a North American mammal of the cat family, Felidae. It is a close relative of the Eurasian Lynx . Some authorities regard both as conspecific. However, in some characteristics the Canada lynx is more like the bobcat than the Eurasian Lynx...
) and grassland animal species (sharp-tailed grouse
Sharp-tailed Grouse
The Sharp-tailed Grouse, Tympanuchus phasianellus , is a medium-sized prairie grouse. It is also known as the sharptail, and is known as "fire grouse" or "fire bird" by Native American Indians due to their reliance on brush fires to keep their habitat open.-Taxonomy:The Greater Prairie-chicken,...
, mule deer
Mule Deer
The mule deer is a deer indigenous to western North America. The Mule Deer gets its name from its large mule-like ears. There are believed to be several subspecies, including the black-tailed deer...
) live in the region. Nearby landscapes include Beaverhill Lake
Beaverhill Lake
Beaverhill Lake is a large dried up lake in central Alberta, Canada. It is a site of regional importance in the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network. It is managed by the Canadian Wildlife Service division of Environment Canada....
just to the east, and the North Saskatchewan River
North Saskatchewan River
The North Saskatchewan River is a glacier-fed river that flows east from the Canadian Rockies to central Saskatchewan. It is one of two major rivers that join to make up the Saskatchewan River....
to the north.
This is one of oldest protected areas in Canada, having originally been a forest reserve set aside by the federal department of the interior in 1892, during the homesteading
Homesteading
Broadly defined, homesteading is a lifestyle of simple self-sufficiency.-Current practice:The term may apply to anyone who follows the back-to-the-land movement by adopting a sustainable, self-sufficient lifestyle. While land is no longer freely available in most areas of the world, homesteading...
era. It was formalized as the Cooking Lake Forest Reserve in 1899, the first such reserve in Canada. A part of the reserve was given further protection in 1906 as Elk Park, later to become Elk Island National Park. In 1930, Crown lands in Alberta passed from the federal government to the provincial government, Elk Park became formalized as a national park while the rest of the Cooking Lake Forest Reserve became a provincial responsibility.
In 2002 the Beaver Hills Initiative was created to coordinate land-use planning in the municipalities in the area surrounding the protected parks. This resulted in a scheme of tradable development credits. In 2006 the area became recognized as a dark sky preserve
Dark Sky preserve
A dark-sky preserve is an area, usually surrounding a park or observatory, that is kept free of artificial light. The purpose of a dark-sky preserve is generally to promote astronomy. Because different national organizations have worked independently to create their programs, different terms have...
by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada
Royal Astronomical Society of Canada
The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada is a national, non-profit, charitable organization devoted to the advancement of astronomy and related sciences. At present, there are 29 local branches of the Society, called centres, located in towns and cities across the country from St. John's,...
.