Located in Lacombe County, Ellis Nature Centre continues a legacy of stewardship that combines sustainable agriculture, wildlife research of Mountain Bluebirds, Tree Swallows and other native cavity-nesting birds, environmental education and conservation. 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.
Visitors of all ages connect with nature and learning about our research projects, which now include agricultural research with Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS), Grey Wooded Forage Association and Regenerative Agriculture
Living Labs. Our farm management team, which includes our tenant, employees and members of our Board, develop and implement the Adaptive Multi-paddock (AMP) grazing plans. Our long term goal is to adopt AMP grazing across our 400 acres of farmland. As a demonstration farm, we hope to increase public awareness of conservation agriculture and be an example showing how to manage for both cattle and the ecosystem including biodiversity, water quality and soil health.
The ALUS AMP grazing project has the potential of producing increased ecosystem services on our grazed lands, which aligns with Ellis Nature Centre’s goal of environmental stewardship. Our goal with the AMP grazing is to lengthen the grazing season by improving pasture health, forage production, and soil health. The AMP grazing rotations will also improve riparian health and biodiversity by allowing these areas long rest periods during sensitive times of the year. Building stronger healthier pastures increases our resilience to climate extremes such as drought and flood.
Ellis Nature Centre is a special place that has benefited from years of conservation with deep roots in wildlife research, community and local history. By promoting these sustainable grazing practices in our field days, education programs and tours, we continue to be an example of co-existence of agriculture, industry and wildlife.
