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Ellis Bird Farm

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by MackenzieBailey (talk | contribs) at 15:17, 23 November 2021 (Added 12 citations and a few sections). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Location

Ellis Bird Farm
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
WebsiteEllis Bird Farm

Ellis Bird Farm is located outside of Red Deer[1], just west of the city[2].

Site

The Ellis Bird Farm offers attractions to visitors. It has the The facility also has the "World's Largest" collection of functional bluebird nestboxes[3]. Ellis Bird Farm also has oldest standing "seed elevator" in Alberta, a grain elevator built in 1937[3].

The site also offers[4]:

  • A tea house
  • Walking paths and self-guided trails,
  • A water garden and Wetland Centre and pier,
  • An indigenous circle deck,
  • Benches and picnic site,
  • Children’s nature play area,
  • Viewing tower, bridge and gazebo.
  • Naturescaped gardens, designed for biodiversity, without use of pesticides or chemicals[1].

The Red Deer Advocate highlights the words of Theresa Campbell, a visitor to Ellis Bird Farm:

"You can’t help but feel happy when you’re here."[1]

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[5] that they significantly increased local bluebird populations.

“[Charlie and Winnie Ellis] had the highest nesting density in the mountain bluebird range in North America.”[5]

Eventually, Charlie and Winnie Ellis sold their land to Union Carbide, a company looking to set up an ethylene glycol plant in the area[2]. 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[4]. Pearman went on to be the leading biologist at the Ellis Bird Farm for 33 years[6].

Today, Ellis Bird Farm has the largest mountain bluebird data set in the world[5].

Tourism

Many visitors come from Red Deer[1] and Lacombe.

Ellis Bird Farm is distinguished as one of eight family friendly tourist destinations in Alberta[7].

Ellis Bird Farm puts on events (e.g., Bluebird Festival) and celebrates people who work toward bluebird conservation with awards (e.g., Blue Feather Award)[8]. The site also offers a range of tours (e.g., Bird banding tours).

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:

  • Urban news outlets (e.g., Calgary Herald[5], Red Deer Advocate[9])
  • Local news outlets (e.g., Lacombe Online[10][11], Todayville[2], Stettler Independent[8])

Research

The Ellis Bird Farm received some local grants for their Mountain Bluebird research[12].

See also

Ellis Bird Farm

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  1. ^ a b c d "WATCH: Ellis Bird Farm open for summer". Red Deer Advocate. 2018-05-21. Retrieved 2021-11-23.
  2. ^ a b c Farm, Ellis Bird (2018-01-09). "Ellis Bird Farm… A place where nature and industry need each other". Todayville. Retrieved 2021-11-23.
  3. ^ a b News (2013-08-08). "Ellis Bird Farm home to thousands". Red Deer Express. Retrieved 2021-11-23. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  4. ^ a b "Myrna Pearman Retires After 33 Years At Ellis Bird Farm – ECA Review". ecareview.com. Retrieved 2021-11-23.
  5. ^ a b c d "A new generation finds the bluebird of happiness". calgaryherald. Retrieved 2021-11-23.
  6. ^ "Ellis Bird Farm manager retires after three decades". Red Deer Advocate. 2020-10-31. Retrieved 2021-11-23.
  7. ^ "Enjoy summer with the kids at these 8 Alberta attractions". calgaryherald. Retrieved 2021-11-23.
  8. ^ a b "Ellis Bird Farm celebrates 20 years of the Blue Feather Award". Stettler Independent. 2019-07-30. Retrieved 2021-11-23.
  9. ^ "These birds have something to sing about". Red Deer Advocate. 2019-05-25. Retrieved 2021-11-23.
  10. ^ MacInnis, Amie. "Ellis Bird Farm to open for the season on May 24". LacombeOnline.com. Retrieved 2021-11-23.
  11. ^ Davidson, Jordan. "Volunteer to help count Alberta birds this Christmas". LacombeOnline.com. Retrieved 2021-11-23.
  12. ^ MacInnis, Amie. "Red Deer and District Community Foundation hands out $84,000 to local organizations". LacombeOnline.com. Retrieved 2021-11-23.
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