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 The Ann and Sandy Cross Conservation Area consists of 4800 acres of rolling foothills land donated by Ann and Sandy Cross for the protection of wildlife habitat and conservation education. Located
10 minutes from the City of Calgary off Highway 22x, the Area is open to hikers by appointment only. Call
931-1042 to book a hike.
FACTS
- Two thousand acres are accessible to the public, including over 20 kilometres of scenic hiking trails, and 8.3 kilometres of self-guided interpretive trails.
- Belvedere House is wheelchair accessible, as is a two-kilometre path next to the facility. This hardened gravel path features spectacular mountain and city viewpoints.
- Over 100 volunteers annually contribute more than 5,000 hours to the Area. Volunteers assist with education, communication, area stewardship, maintenance and habitat management.
- The Area is 50% Aspen forest,42% pastures of introduced grasses and 8% native prairie. As part of the Area ’s native prairie restoration effort 1,500 square feet of native prairie sod was rescued in 1996 from northwest Calgary. The sod now covers an area near the parking lot at Belvedere House. The area surrounding the sod has been seeded with native grasses and wildflowers collected on-site by Area volunteers.
FLORA & FAUNA
- Local naturalist and volunteer Olga Droppo has recorded more than 300 plant species within the Conservation Area.
- Research projects in conjunction with both the University of Calgary and the University of Alberta have been undertaken in the Area. Wildlife movement patterns, ecological indicators and restoration of native prairie have all been studied.
- The Area supports the highest concentration of red-tailed hawks in North America according to a University of Calgary study.
- The Aspen Forest is home to a number of animals and birds ranging from the Deer Mouse to moose, and from the Pileated Woodpecker to the Great Horned Owl.
- The Conservation Area sits high on the western edge of the Alberta syncline with glaciers and rivers having eroded away much of the land around it.
EDUCATION PROGRAMS
- Over 63,000 students and other youth have participated in the education programs at the Ann and Sandy Cross Conservation Area since it opened to the public in 1993.
- We offer six curriculum-based Nature Discovery day school programs,
sponsored by the Suncor Energy Foundation, for grades 1-9 which focus on
conservation and the environment. For organized groups including Guides,
Brownies, Scouts and Cubs, we also offer a self-guided Rescue the Fescue
program.
- Our Conservation Education programs have been running since 1998 and offer
continuing education opportunities for adults, families and children based on
conservation-related issues. This includes several weeks of our
exceptional day camp programs.
- The ChevronTexaco Open Minds program has been offering programs since
2000. We are thrilled to offer ten weeks of this week-long, hands on
learning experience each school year.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
The Ann and Sandy Cross Conservation Area is dedicated to:
- Protecting habitat and providing space for native wildlife;
- Offering conservation education programs, particularly to young people, without jeopardizing area wildlife and habitat;
- Managing human use of the area through entry by appointment only.
To hike in the Conservation Area please book online or leave a message on our
hiking line by calling (403) 931-1042.
To Book a Hike for Individuals, Families or a Small Group.
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