Connecting Community
with Wildlife, Agriculture
& Industry
Connecting Community
with Wildlife, Agriculture & Industry
Ellis Nature Centre
Ellis Nature Centre is a non-profit organization dedicated to conservation, education & sustainable agriculture. We promote environmental education and wildlife conservation, monitor and conduct research on mountain bluebirds, tree swallows and purple martins, and manage over 480 acres of agricultural land. The Visitor Centre, original farmhouse, demonstration gardens and wetlands are set aside for wildlife and public enjoyment.
In 2024, we updated our name from Ellis Bird Farm to Ellis Nature Centre.
Join in the many activities and events of the season including the annual Bug Jamboree and Bluebird Festival.
Proud to be in partnership with MEGlobal, Ellis Nature Centre has established environmental education and conservation programs for secondary cavity nesting bird species, regenerative agriculture and scientific research.
Rocco Schurink, Vice President of Operations, North America; Kayle Yonkman, Vice President of Operations, Prentiss; Carolyn Ross, Site Manager; Dieter Schnepel, Vice President of Operations, Kuwait.
Visit Us!
Come explore our Visitor Centre site with a variety of gardens, historic grain elevator, network of nature trails, Wetland Activity Centre and children’s Nature Playground. Take a selfie at our historical grain elevator birdhouse wall!
Whether you are looking for a quiet stroll in the gardens or woods, you will find the tranquility and natural beauty of the site reinvigorating.
There are lots of activities for children to get outside and have fun! The Nature Playground, wetland exploration pond or the goats, chickens and honeybee pollinator interactive display, and scavenger hunt and children’s workshops and programming.
There is no entrance fee but donations are gratefully accepted.
Stewardship
Ellis Nature Centre is a working farm and showcases how agriculture industry can coexist with wildlife conservation. Our working farm continues Charlie Ellis’ conservation practices of delayed haying, preserving areas for wildlife and of course, the bluebird trail nest boxes. We conduct both avian research and regenerative agriculture practices here. Our bluebird trail has monitored mountain bluebird nest-boxes for over 50 years. We annually clean, repair the over 400 nest-boxes and during the summer months conduct weekly nest-box checks to collect data on population, first arrivals and parental care. We have been able to install solar powered nestbox cameras on several boxes to record the entire nesting period on Mountain bluebirds.
In 2022, we adopted new rotational grazing practices to better manage our grazing pastures. Adaptive multi-paddock grazing allows the land and plants time to recharge between rotations and improves water infiltration, forage production and soil health.
Education
Ellis Nature Centre is dedicated to providing immersive, hands-on outdoor education to the youth of Central Alberta. Just like Charlie and Winnie recognized when Ellis Bird Farm was established, we know that our youth are the next generation of environmental stewards and conservationists.
Our programs inspire a love of the outdoors, desire to protect nature, and dedication to giving back to our environment. Through our education program, children are not only inspired to become stewards of the land themselves, but to pass the values and knowledge they have learned onto others in their lives.
What's
happening
Join Amy Mawson of To The Core Equestrian & Wellness and her miniature horse, Katie, for a series of unique experiential learning programs at Ellis Nature Centre. Amy is an equestrian coach and experiential learning facilitator who helps individuals of all ages develop greater body awareness and understanding of how nervous system responses influence learning, … Read more
Land Acknowledgement
Ellis Nature Centre acknowledges that we work, play, and learn on Treaty 6 territory, traditional homeland of many First Nations, Metis, and Inuit groups since time immemorial. Additionally, we give thanks for all the teachings these groups have passed on about the importance of caring for and giving back to our natural spaces and the creatures we share those spaces with. On our continuous journey of reconciliation, we appreciate the teachings of Indigenous elders and community leaders about the importance of the land and our connection with it.
- Tamera
Great place to take the kiddos and spend a day!!
June 20, 2026BuddyGreat place and space to enjoy outdoor
June 20, 2026StephanieBeautiful nature center. Great for weddings, family walks, and schools.
June 19, 2026RandyI'm sorry it took me so long to get here. Something for everyone. Fantastic!
June 18, 2026KathleenIncredibly beautiful, serene Parkland. Awesome walking trails. Excellent tour guide. Restaurant on site. Attended a wonderful seniors tea. No fee to visit. Will return for a stroll with a picnic lunch.
June 15, 2026NickTotal hidden gem that everyone needs to take time to head off the beaten path to explore. It has a charm and is compact and perfect for families or couples or a quiet solo outing. The volunteers and staff are dedicated and very well informed.
June 9, 2026MarcinA hidden gem!
June 8, 2026JenniferOne of my favorite places in Central Alberta to visit. Cute areas to sit and listen to the birds singing and the water gurgling in the pond. We love the Ellis Nature Center
June 7, 2026 - Paula
Beautiful place, bunnies, hawks, purple martins, chickens and goats later in the season. Walking trails with lovely gardens.
May 28, 2026HIt's a very relaxing and enjoyable place to take a walk. Very clean and cute.
May 26, 2026AnastasiaI always enjoy my visits here. The birds and scenery are absolutely beautiful. I would give 5 stars, but unfortunately I recently visited the cafe and ordered a grill cheese with no bacon. Unfortunately, I was served my sandwich with bacon on it. I am a strict vegetarian and this made me feel very uncomfortable. I won’t return to the cafe due to this as I don’t feel safe eating there, but I will definitely return to the nature centre as I absolutely love it.
May 19, 2026RobertNice place, lots to learn about nature
August 26, 2025RitaBeautiful place. They really need better kitchen and good restaurants there.
August 25, 2025GloriaThe centre is beautiful. Went in mid August and all the flowers are in bloom. The birds are out and babies duck sare swimming. Would recommend .
August 19, 2025NancyFamily friendly stop for bird watching and spending time in nature. Make sure you stop for a slice of pie before you leave!
August 18, 2025LynBeautiful! Fascinating.
August 17, 2025 - Linda
It was a wet gloomy day so we only visited the visitor center. It was still very interesting.
August 17, 2025AndreaBeautiful place for a picnic and walk. Lots of activities for kids- contact them first for specifics. Would definitely go back
August 8, 2025Tonyyour kids will love the center!
August 7, 2025PatriciaGreat place for families!
August 6, 2025MatthewWould come here any day of the week. Very nice
August 5, 2025JulieBeautiful place to relax
July 31, 2025RobertGreat place to visit. Hope they find a cook soon.
July 31, 2025Randygreat learning centre
October 19, 2024 - Nick
Nice little piece of Alberta history and nature all in one. Cafe was great! Wonderful time!
October 19, 2024De66eeDefinitely was worth the visit. It's beautiful here, they have done so much work. Beautiful displays of the wildlife, there are bridges, gazebos, ponds, birdhouses, flowers, plants, a very pretty place. Kids would definitely enjoy a visit here with a craft table and so many things for them to see. Take a lunch, there are lots of picnic tables to sit at and enjoy the views.
October 19, 2024CharlieVery peaceful. Went for a visit, stayed for 5 hours. Cafe delightful.
September 19, 2024AVery peaceful and much to learn
September 19, 2024MattBeautiful hidden gem! Will definitely be coming back! Quiet and relaxing atmosphere for all ages! Kids have lots of areas to discover and play, peaceful walking paths and there's no fees for parking or to enter!
September 19, 2024KristianExcellent afternoon visit. Beautiful and relaxing The tea house is AMAZING Pie is a must, or the rum cake so good
September 19, 2024SarahLovely place to visit and connect to nature My family enjoyed our time here. We'll be back here for sure. The staff are pleasant.
September 19, 2024CherryBeautiful & peaceful
September 19, 2024 - Lori
Very beautiful spot. Took a harvest course. Learned a lot and appreciated the opportunity.
September 19, 2024IrishPeaceful haven
September 19, 2024WendyGreat food and service!
August 19, 2024JasminBeautiful area to walk around and enjoy. Lots of different views and displays of nature from the area.
August 19, 2024DylanAmazing environment with beautiful scenery, I loved visiting every time and thoroughly enjoyed all their displays. They have wonderful staff and are all very passionate and dedicated.
August 19, 2024LouiseI love the Ellis Bird Farm! It is a lovely farm that has been converted into a bird sanctuary with a visitor and education building and a small cafe. The grounds are beautiful. It's located NE of Red Deer in Central Alberta, about an hour and a half from Calgary.
August 19, 2024VanessaAbsolutely beautiful and wonderful staff ❤️
August 19, 2024WinonaVery lovely place!!
August 19, 2024 - Samantha
Wonderful place for bird watching, picnicking, and a nice walk. Staff were very knowledgeable and friendly.
August 19, 2024DavidWhat a lovely place to bicycle too, Surprising peaceful bird sanctuary
July 19, 2024PhyllisWas taken with my grandsons and granddaughter and love it. Bought a bird house and hope I I'm able to come visit another time.
July 19, 2024LiliiaAwesome please for bird photography.
July 19, 2024BobStopped and had a picnic today, what a lovely place 🙂
June 19, 2024daveA gem of a place. Free to the public to walk about. Lots of birds and critters are wondering about it. Donations recommended to help them preserve this place and maintain.
June 19, 2024BevLovely place. Donations accepted. Great for kids. Nesting owls.... mushrooms on trees... lots of flowers and plants. Nicely done.
June 19, 2024JenniferBeautiful place to visit. Many trails to stroll. Great place to take photos
June 19, 2024 - N
Always so pretty and calming. Love seeing the wildlife there.
June 19, 2024JoanWhat a wonderful experience to see so many birds and enjoy the butterfly garden. The purple martins were amazing to watch
June 19, 2024DianeBeautiful setting, helpful staff, great programs to educate public on birds, plants, and wildlife
June 19, 2024JazmynWhat a great place for a field trip! So fun and informative!
June 19, 2024AliceThis is the most relaxing, rejuvenating and spiritual place. Just being among the birds, the nature preserve filled me with peace. I plan to visit often.
June 19, 2024HimmatpreetVery nice nature reserve
December 19, 2023HannahPerfect place to take the family. Lots to see and new developments each visit. Wish the animals could be there longer!
December 19, 2023JenniferBeautiful place to visit. Many trails to stroll. Great place to take photos
June 19, 2024
Visitor
Survey
Please fill out our visitor survey to share details about your visit to Ellis Nature Centre with us. We greatly appreciate your feedback and support!
