Poplar Creek Natural Area

Our Role as Volunteer Co-Stewards

What Stewardship Means

The Alberta Mycological Society, with Mr. Pieter van der Schoot, is committed to watching over the Poplar Creek Natural Area (“Poplar Creek”) in Alberta. During the spring, summer, and fall, the AMS heads out to the different quarter sections of land that make up Poplar Creek and monitor its conditions.

  • Notes types and species of plants, trees, lichen, and fungi.

  • Checks for signs of animals and reptiles.

  • Watches for signs of poaching (wildlife, trees, plants, and fungi alike).

  • Records negative effects of human activities (vandalism, littering, damage from offroad vehicles).

  • Submits an inspection report with our observations to Alberta Environment & Parks

Stewards of Alberta’s Protected Areas Association

Stewards of Alberta’s Protected Areas Association (SAPAA) is a non-profit society whose mission is to support volunteer stewards of protected areas. Not only does SAPAA aim to preserve the ecological integrity of these areas, SAPAA also promotes and educates the public about their importance.

Visit Poplar Creek

We welcome our members to join us on our stewardship visits. Stay tuned on our Events page for Poplar Creek forays!

Poplar Creek is made up of eight quarter sections of land (natural areas and reserved areas).

“NATURAL AREA”
Protected public land designated for the conservation, nature appreciation, and low intensity outdoor recreation or education.

“RESERVED AREA”
Public lands proposed for natural areas but have not been formally approved and do not have “Order-in-Council” (OC) status.

5 Designated

Areas

Section 17 (NE quarter) – TP.48 R.5 W5M
Section 14 (NW quarter) – TP.48 R.5 W5M
Section 11 (NE quarter) – TP.48 R.5 W5M
Section 11 (SE quarter) – TP.48 R.5 W5M
Section 20 (SE quarter) – TP.47 R.5 W5M

3 Natural

Areas

Section 23 (SE quarter) – TP.48 R.5 W5M
Section 11 (NW quarter) – TP.48 R.5 W5M
Section 11 (SW quarter) – TP.48 R.5 W5M

Total ~ 1,280 Acres

These areas are administered under both the Public Lands Act and the Wilderness Areas, Ecological Reserves, Natural Areas and
Heritage Rangelands Act.

Learn More About Poplar Creek

One of the challenges we face today is how to ensure we have sufficient natural resources to last for future generations – to restore and regenerate the resources that we take. – Pieter van der Schoot, AMS Life Member (photo above).

Spore Print 

Featuring Poplar Creek Natural Area

This newsletter describes our adventures as we trek around Poplar Creek and the plants, fungi, animals, and the evidence of human activity we find.

Public Lands Act

This Act allows the Minister and the Lieutenant Governor in Council to establish regulations to govern the use and allocation public land, as well as defining public land use zones, recreation areas, and trails.

WAERNAHR Act

Wilderness Areas, Ecological Reserves, Natural Areas and Heritage Rangelands Act

This Act provides direction for the management of natural areas, such as Poplar Creek.

Volunteer Steward Inspection Form

Each year, the AMS submits an Inspection Report to Alberta Environment & Parks. At this time, the AMS does not know who reads the reports or what actions are taken (if any).