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{{notability|date=June 2024}}
== Location ==
{{infobox Museum
{{infobox Museum
|name= '''Ellis Bird Farm'''
|name= '''Ellis Nature Centre'''
|image=
|image=
|established =
|established =
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|curator =
|curator =
|visitors =
|visitors =
|website = [http://www.ellisbirdfarm.ca/ Ellis Bird Farm]
|website = [http://www.ellisnaturecentre.ca]
}}
}}


Ellis Nature Centre is an education & research facility at the heart of a sustainable farm. We demonstrate and promote best practices to conserve and protect wildlife and nature through our workshops, educational programs, and events. Located on the original 1906 farmstead of the Ellis Family, Ellis Nature Centre is a non-profit organization established to continue Charlie Ellis’s conservation farming vision. Our wildlife research focuses on Mountain Bluebirds, Tree Swallows, and other native cavity-nesting birds.
'''Ellis Bird Farm''' is located outside of Red Deer<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=2018-05-21|title=WATCH: Ellis Bird Farm open for summer|url=https://www.reddeeradvocate.com/news/ellis-bird-farm-open-for-the-summer/|access-date=2021-11-23|website=Red Deer Advocate|language=en-US}}</ref>, just west of the city<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=Farm|first=Ellis Bird|date=2018-01-09|title=Ellis Bird Farm… A place where nature and industry need each other.|url=https://www.todayville.com/ellis-bird-farm-a-place-where-nature-and-industry-need-each-other/|access-date=2021-11-23|website=Todayville|language=en-CA}}</ref>, at 39502 Range Road 260<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|last=MacInnis|first=Amie|title=Ellis Bird Farm to open for the season on May 24|url=https://lacombeonline.com/local/ellis-bird-farm-to-open-for-the-season-on-may-24|access-date=2021-11-23|website=LacombeOnline.com|language=en-gb}}</ref>.
<gallery>
File:Bat House Project at Ellis Bird Farm.jpg|Bat House Project
File:Ellis Bird Farm bluebird nestboxes.jpg|Bluebird nests
Ellis Bird Farm naturescaping by Myrna Pearman.jpg|Landscapes
</gallery>
⚫
==See also==


== Site ==
The Ellis Bird Farm offers attractions to visitors. The facility also has the "World's Largest" collection of functional bluebird nestboxes<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|date=2017-07-04|title=Discover Central Alberta This Summer!|url=https://www.todayville.com/discover-central-alberta-this-summer/|access-date=2021-11-23|website=Todayville|language=en-CA}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|last=News|date=2013-08-08|title=Ellis Bird Farm home to thousands|url=https://www.reddeerexpress.com/news/ellis-bird-farm-home-to-thousands/|access-date=2021-11-23|website=Red Deer Express|language=en-US}}</ref>. Ellis Bird Farm also has oldest standing "seed elevator" in Alberta, a [[grain elevator]] built in 1937<ref name=":2" />.

The site also offers:

* A tea house<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=Myrna Pearman Retires After 33 Years At Ellis Bird Farm – ECA Review|url=https://ecareview.com/myrna-pearman-retires-after-33-years-at-ellis-bird-farm/|access-date=2021-11-23|website=ecareview.com|language=en-CA}}</ref>,
* Walking paths and self-guided trails<ref name=":3" />,
*hummingbird and butterfly gardens<ref name=":8">{{Cite web|last=Galat|first=Joan Marie|date=30 July 2020|title=5 fun-filled day trips from Edmonton|url=https://www.techlifetoday.ca/articles/2020/5-fun-filled-day-trips-from-edmonton|url-status=live|website=Tech Life Today}}</ref>,
* A water garden and Wetland Centre and pier<ref name=":3" />,
* An indigenous circle deck<ref name=":3" />,
* Benches and picnic site<ref name=":3" />,
* Children’s nature play area<ref name=":3" />,
* Viewing tower, bridge and gazebo<ref name=":3" />.
* [[Naturescaping|Naturescaped]] gardens, designed for biodiversity, without use of pesticides or chemicals<ref name=":0" />.

The Red Deer Advocate highlights the words of Theresa Campbell, a visitor to Ellis Bird Farm:<blockquote>"You can’t help but feel happy when you’re here."<ref name=":0" /></blockquote>

== History ==
The origin of Ellis Bird Farm rests with two farmers, Charlie and Winnie Ellis. They erected so many bluebird nest boxes from 1955 until the late 1970s<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|title=A new generation finds the bluebird of happiness|url=https://calgaryherald.com/life/a-new-generation-finds-the-bluebird-of-happiness|access-date=2021-11-23|website=calgaryherald|language=en-CA}}</ref> that they significantly increased local bluebird populations. At the time, Charlie and Winnie operated one of the largest bluebird trails in Canada and established their farmstead as a wildlife haven<ref>{{Cite web|last=Lewis|first=Lloyd|date=2018-12-29|title=Thanks to these amazing businesses and organizations that support Todayville throughout the year.|url=https://www.todayville.com/thanks-to-these-amazing-businesses-and-organization-that-support-todayville-throughout-the-year/|access-date=2021-11-23|website=Todayville|language=en-CA}}</ref>. <blockquote>“[Charlie and Winnie Ellis] had the highest nesting density in the mountain bluebird range in North America.”<ref name=":4" /></blockquote>Eventually, Charlie and Winnie Ellis sold their land to Union Carbide, a company looking to set up an ethylene glycol plant in the area<ref name=":1" />. The conditions of the sale was such that Union Carbide was bound to maintain the bird conservation efforts which Charlie and Winnie Ellis devoted themselves to. The sale of land occurred and The Ellis Bird Farm site was established under [[Myrna Pearman]]’s leadership<ref name=":3" />.

=== Notable Naturists ===
[[File:Myrna Pearman headshot photo.jpg|alt=Myrna Pearman|thumb|148x148px|Myrna Pearman]]
Myrna Pearman was the leading biologist at the Ellis Bird Farm for 33 years<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-31|title=Ellis Bird Farm manager retires after three decades|url=https://www.reddeeradvocate.com/news/ellis-bird-farm-biologist-site-services-manager-retires-after-33-years/|access-date=2021-11-23|website=Red Deer Advocate|language=en-US}}</ref>, and she was a professional of some renown<ref>{{Cite web|title=Beyond Local: Let a chickadee cheer you up this winter!|url=https://www.airdrietoday.com/beyond-local/let-a-chickadee-cheer-you-up-this-winter-2868243|access-date=2021-11-23|website=AirdrieToday.com|language=en}}</ref>.

Pearman has gained recognition as author and nature photographer<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-11-10|title=Central Alberta naturalist to speak about nurturing nature|url=https://www.reddeeradvocate.com/news/central-alberta-naturalist-to-speak-about-nurturing-nature-via-zoom/|access-date=2021-11-23|website=Red Deer Advocate|language=en-US}}</ref>. Pearman has used her reputation to benefit Ellis Bird Farm by donating proceeds from her book sales to the Ellis Bird Farm to support conservation, education and research programs<ref>{{Cite web|last=Radio Active|date=December 7, 2015|title=Brian Keating reviews 'Backyard Bird Feeding: An Alberta Guide'|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/brian-keating-reviews-backyard-bird-feeding-an-alberta-guide-1.3354381|url-status=live|website=CBC News}}</ref>. She received honours and awards throughout her career at Ellis Bird Farm<ref>{{Cite web|title=Myrna presented with award! - March 5th, 2016|url=http://www.ellisbirdfarm.ca/1/post/2016/03/-myrna-presented-with-award-march-5th-2016.html|access-date=2021-11-23|website=Ellis Bird Farm|language=en}}</ref>, such as being made an honorary Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society<ref>{{Cite web|last=Rolheiser|first=Duane|date=2019-11-25|title=Myrna Pearman and Morris Flewwelling honoured by the Royal Canadian Geographical Society|url=https://www.todayville.com/myrna-pearman-and-morris-flewwelling-honoured-by-the-royal-canadian-geographical-society/|access-date=2021-11-23|website=Todayville|language=en-CA}}</ref>.

She was also the only member of the Ellis Bird Farm staff to have known the place and organization since the time of Charlie and Winnie Ellis<ref name=":9">{{Cite web|date=2019-08-12|title=Family fun at the Ellis Bird Farm’s annual Bug Jamboree|url=https://www.sylvanlakenews.com/news/family-fun-at-the-ellis-bird-farms-annual-bug-jamboree/|access-date=2021-11-23|website=Sylvan Lake News|language=en-US}}</ref>. While at Ellis Bird Farm, she researched and collected amazing amount of data on blue birds, purple martins and bats<ref name=":10">{{Cite web|last=staff|first=rdnewsNOW|title=Ellis Bird Farm site manager retires after 33 years|url=https://rdnewsnow.com/2020/11/02/ellis-bird-farm-site-manager-retires-after-33-years/|access-date=2021-11-23|website=rdnewsnow.com|language=en}}</ref>. She was instrumental in Ellis Bird Farm gaining the first Motus tower in Alberta<ref name=":10" />, a tool used for bird migration tracking.

== Tourism ==
Ellis Bird Farm is distinguished as one of eight family friendly tourist destinations in Alberta<ref name=":11">{{Cite web|title=Enjoy summer with the kids at these 8 Alberta attractions|url=https://calgaryherald.com/special-sections/eat-play-stay-alberta/enjoy-summer-with-the-kids-at-these-8-alberta-attractions|access-date=2021-11-23|website=calgaryherald|language=en-CA}}</ref><ref name=":12">{{Cite web|date=2021-08-20|title=50 Things to Do in Alberta This Labour Day Weekend - 2021|url=https://www.todocanada.ca/things-alberta-labour-day-weekend/|access-date=2021-11-23|website=To Do Canada}}</ref>.

Children can participate in a range of actives such as<ref name=":11" />:

* Interact with baby goats,
* Catch pond creatures at the pier,
* Engage with interactive games in the visitor centre, and
* Build their own bluebird or chickadee box

Visitors can learn about the conservation of Mountain Bluebirds, Tree Swallows and other birds<ref name=":7" />. Ellis Bird Farm actively celebrates people who work toward bluebird conservation with awards (e.g., Blue Feather Award)<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|date=2019-07-30|title=Ellis Bird Farm celebrates 20 years of the Blue Feather Award|url=https://www.stettlerindependent.com/community/ellis-bird-farm-celebrates-20-years-of-the-blue-feather-award/|access-date=2021-11-23|website=Stettler Independent|language=en-US}}</ref>. <blockquote>"The Ellis Bird Farm is a pretty lowkey spot, so you don't need to worry about being surrounded by tourists."<ref name=":13">{{Cite web|date=2019-01-25|title=24 Spontaneous Day Trips From Calgary You Need To Go On This Winter|url=https://www.narcity.com/calgary/12-spontaneous-day-trips-from-calgary-you-need-to-go-on-this-winter|access-date=2021-11-23|website=Narcity|language=en}}</ref> </blockquote>Ellis Bird Farm offers seasonal events for children and adults, such as the Bluebird Festival<ref name=":5" /> and Bug Jamboree<ref name=":9" />, and offers a range of tours (e.g., bird banding tours).<blockquote>“The annual Bug Jamboree is our family day here, where people can come and be inspired and become better informed about insects and spiders"<ref name=":9" /></blockquote>Many visitors travel to Ellis Bird Farm from Red Deer<ref name=":0" /> and nearby Lacombe<ref name=":6" />; others drive from Calgary or Edmonton.

Publications (e.g. Narcity) have highlighted that Ellis Bird Farm is a short, sweet and worthwhile road trip to make from from Calgary (time from Calgary: ~1 hour and 45 minutes<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-10-12|title=Short And Sweet Road Trips From Calgary That Aren't To Banff|url=https://www.narcity.com/calgary/short-and-sweet-road-trips-from-calgary-that-arent-to-banff|access-date=2021-11-23|website=Narcity|language=en}}</ref> to 2 hours<ref name=":13" />), even during the winter<ref name=":13" />. Other media outlets have singled Ellis Bird Farm out as one of the top five day trips from Edmonton<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":14">{{Cite web|date=2017-05-12|title=A Road trip from Edmonton - Sun, Sand and the Mountains|url=https://www.todocanada.ca/Road-trip-from-Edmonton/|access-date=2021-11-23|website=To Do Canada}}</ref>.

=== Wildlife ===
Today, Ellis Bird Farm is one of the best birding sites<ref>{{Cite web|last=Galat|first=Joan Marie|date=14 Nov 2019|title=How to bring birds to your backyard|url=https://www.techlifetoday.ca/articles/2019/how-to-attract-and-feed-birds|url-status=live|website=Tech Life Today}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Travel|date=2020-05-09|title=Discover Eckville, Alberta|url=https://www.eckvilleecho.com/travel/discover-eckville-alberta/|access-date=2021-11-23|website=Eckville Echo|language=en-US}}</ref>, and visitors can also see a purple martin colony<ref name=":6" /> at Ellis Bird Farm.

The site boasts the largest mountain bluebird data set in the world<ref name=":4" />, and visitors are likely to see bluebirds if they visit at the right time of year.

== Media ==
Ellis Bird Farm has a.media presence. They have been featured in news outlets and produced some research.

=== News Outlets ===
Ellis Bird Farm is noted in the media:

* National outlets (e.g., To Do Canada<ref name=":12" /><ref name=":14" />)
*Urban news outlets (e.g., Calgary Herald<ref name=":4" />, Red Deer Advocate<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-05-25|title=These birds have something to sing about|url=https://www.reddeeradvocate.com/news/these-birds-have-something-to-sing-about/|access-date=2021-11-23|website=Red Deer Advocate|language=en-US}}</ref>, Sylvan Lake News<ref name=":9" />)
* Local news outlets (e.g., Lacombe Online<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":15">{{Cite web|last=Davidson|first=Jordan|title=Volunteer to help count Alberta birds this Christmas|url=https://lacombeonline.com/local/volunteer-to-help-count-alberta-birds-this-christmas|access-date=2021-11-23|website=LacombeOnline.com|language=en-gb}}</ref>, Todayville<ref name=":1" />, Stettler Independent<ref name=":5" />)

=== Research ===
The Ellis Bird Farm received some local grants for to further their Mountain Bluebird research<ref>{{Cite web|last=MacInnis|first=Amie|title=Red Deer and District Community Foundation hands out $84,000 to local organizations|url=https://lacombeonline.com/local/red-deer-and-district-community-foundation-hands-out-84-000-to-local-organizations|access-date=2021-11-23|website=LacombeOnline.com|language=en-gb}}</ref><ref name=":6" />. The site coordinates North America’s longest-running citizen science project, the Christmas Bird Count<ref name=":15" />. <blockquote>“The Christmas Bird Count is a great example of how everyday Albertans can play an important role in wildlife conservation.”<ref name=":15" /> </blockquote>

⚫
== See also ==
* [[List of museums in Alberta]]
* [[List of museums in Alberta]]


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20091124083033/http://www.ellisbirdfarm.ab.ca/ Ellis Bird Farm]
{{commons category|Ellis Bird Farm}}
[https://web.archive.org/web/20091124083033/http://www.ellisbirdfarm.ab.ca/ Ellis Bird Farm]


{{Alberta parks}}
{{Alberta parks}}
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[[Category:Grain elevators in Alberta]]
[[Category:Grain elevators in Alberta]]


{{Canada-struct-stub}}
{{Alberta-struct-stub}}

Latest revision as of 16:34, 8 June 2024

Ellis Nature Centre
Map
LocationLacombe, Alberta, Canada
Coordinates52°23′25″N 113°36′15″W / 52.390163°N 113.604298°W / 52.390163; -113.604298
Typeopen-air, agriculture
Website[1]

Ellis Nature Centre is an education & research facility at the heart of a sustainable farm. We demonstrate and promote best practices to conserve and protect wildlife and nature through our workshops, educational programs, and events. Located on the original 1906 farmstead of the Ellis Family, Ellis Nature Centre is a non-profit organization established to continue Charlie Ellis’s conservation farming vision. Our wildlife research focuses on Mountain Bluebirds, Tree Swallows, and other native cavity-nesting birds.

  • Bat House Project
    Bat House Project
  • Bluebird nests
    Bluebird nests
  • Landscapes
    Landscapes

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
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Ellis Bird Farm

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