Trees as Living Memorials
Since 2020, the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area has been one of the sites where Calgary-based, family operated McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes has planted trees each year through their Memorial Forests Program. There are now two forest areas where friends and families of loved-ones past can spend time in a pristine natural haven that welcomes heartfelt reflection and remembrance. The ASCCA’s McInnis & Holloway Memorial Forest Viewpoint overlooks our 2020 Forest, where trees were planted from 2020 to 2021.
In 2022 a new site was chosen for planting, where trees will be planted each each into the foreseeable future. In the coming months, this area will be developed to include a walking path, sheltered rest area and signage to direct visitors, all with as minimal an impact on the land and habitat as possible.
Directions
Directions to 2020 McInnis & Holloway Memorial Forest Viewpoint
viewpoint with seating, signage and available parking
accessible from 144 St W/Range Road 23 off of highway 22X
not accessible from education centre or public trails
Directions to New Memorial Forest Area (Future Memorial Forest Pathway Location)
located near our south facing trail head at the top of 160 St West
can be viewed from a locked gate to the left (east) of the trail a short distance from our kiosk
**planting site is not currently accessible to the public**
for your safety, we ask that you do not attempt to open or cross the gate
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Why was the ASCCA chosen as a planting site?
The Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area is a 4800-acre day use natural preserve, dedicated to education and habitat conservation. It is dedicated not only towards habitat protection, but also enhancement. Trees when fully grown provide shelter and additional space for wildlife, and also store carbon, improving the health of our ecosystems. Before our partnership with McInnis & Holloway, we already had undertaken several tree planting initiatives; for example, our partnership with the Alberta Junior Forest Wardens.
Q. Does tree planting have a negative impact on habitat and wildlife?
All trees and shrubs planted at the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area are native to the region and grown in similar conditions. Planting is limited in scale, occurs once per year, and is scheduled during daytime hours when wildlife are less active. Any dead or damaged trees are removed for safety.
Q. Why plant trees and what about grasslands?
This is an important question. Grasslands in Alberta were historically maintained by natural fire and Indigenous stewardship. Today, these processes are less common, especially near communities. As a result, grasslands naturally transition to shrubs and trees over time, a well-established ecological process across Alberta and North America.
The memorial forest is located within small, open pockets of prairie where tree planting can occur in a thoughtful, low-impact way. It provides an accessible public space for families to walk, reflect, and spend time in a landscape that honours loved ones.
Native grasslands are highly valued. Across the conservation area, particularly in areas that are not publicly accessible and managed primarily for wildlife are actively restored, protected, and monitored for grassland health.
Maintaining large open grasslands often requires interventions such as controlled burning, which are not always feasible near communities. Even without planting, many grasslands are gradually changing due to the absence of fire.
Our approach
We work with these natural changes by:
- Planting only native species
- Supporting biodiversity and wildlife habitat
- Helping ecosystems adapt to changing conditions
A balanced approach
Our goal is to steward a dynamic landscape by balancing ecological health, public access, and public safety. We continue to monitor conditions and adapt as needed.
- These landscape changes are natural under current conditions
- Tree planting occurs in small, designated areas only
- Grasslands remain a priority across the broader landscape
- We are committed to protecting biodiversity in all its forms
At ASCCA, we are not choosing between grasslands and trees, we are supporting a healthy, resilient ecosystem for the future while creating opportunities for people to connect with the land, reflect, and deepen their understanding of stewardship.
Q. Are trees at the ASCCA planted in memory of specific individuals?
A select number of trees are planted by McInnis & Holloway each year. Due to the number of trees planted and challenges with ensuring that individual trees will survive, trees are not assigned to specific individuals, but are rather part of a forest that stands as a living memorial to those who have passed. To the best of our ability, we care for newly planted trees, but cannot guarantee that all will successfully take to new growing conditions.
Q. Am I able to dedicate a bench or table at the ASCCA?
We have a memorial bench and table campaign for those interested in leaving behind a plaque to honour the memory of an individual who has passed. Please contact us or visit our Lasting Legacies Memorial Bench & Table page to learn more about this program.
Q. May I leave signage, flowers, stuffed animals or other memorial markers at the forest sites?
As the ASCCA is a protected habitat conservation area, we ask that visitors ’leave only footprints’ and ’take only pictures.’ Leaving behind items that do not originate in the area can have a negative impact on habitat. We do not have a dedicated space where loved ones can place flowers or other memorial items, and therefore they will be removed.
Forest Map
