Your generous donations for Frank Lake help make conservation projects like the ones below a reality.
Current Conservation Projects in Development:
Bat Boxes
- The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has provided assistance with identifying site locations of 6 bat boxes. We are working with a WCS provider to build 6 boxes. These boxes will be installed and monitored in 2026.
- The Stewarship Committee has been approved for grant funding from Alberta Conservation Association for bat conservation.
Frank Lake Island Rehabilitation (Greg Wagner Legacy Project)
- The Stewardship Committee is taking on this project in Greg Wagner’s honour, which was a project Greg hoped to complete in his lifetime, but sadly, passed away before it could become a reality. Nature Calgary and the Stewardship Committee are working collaboratively to fulfill this wish, designated the “Greg Wagner Legacy Project – Frank Lake Island Rehabilitation.”
- The Stewardship Committee and The Director of Special Projects have met with Ducks Unlimited Canada to discuss this project. We are currently obtaining quotes for the island rehabilitation objective, scope, and potential cost and timeline.
Bird Platforms
- The Stewardship Committee made a decision to construct and install Purple Martin (Progne subis) condominium boxes on the vacant, underused platforms located at Basin 1 and Basin 3 – January 2026
- The Stewardship Committee met with Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) regarding its decision to construct and install Purple Martin condominium boxes. DUC approved the project – February 2026
- The status of the bird platforms was assessed, and it was determine they are in need repair as the welds on the platforms are showing age. A request was made to Ducks Unlimited Canada for a temporary fix, with future welding repair planned. The temporary repair and future welding repair were approved with the welding repair planned for winter 2026 when snow is on the ground to reduce fire risk – February 2026
- The Stewardship Committee is working with a WCS-approved builder for the Purple Martin condominium boxes, and the Committee has applied for grant funding to help offset costs – February 2026
- The Stewardship Committee, through Nature Calgary, has been approved for Purple Martin grant funding.
Current Conservation Projects
Alberta Native Bee Program
The Native Bee program follows the guiding principle of conservation at Frank Lake. Native Bee populations across North America are declining due to environmental, chemical, and habitat changes.
The Frank Lake Stewardship Committee and the Alberta Native Bee Council have teamed up to start a Native Bee monitoring program. We will install 10 native bee boxes: 5 at basin 1 and 5 at basin 2. This will provide a wide area of coverage for data and health of the native bee populations.
All data will be collected on a yearly basis and shared with the Alberta Native Bee Council.
Purple Martin Program
Coming soon.
Conservation Partners
- WCS Canada (Wildlife Conservation Society Canada) – Community bat program, with site locations, planning, and data collection.
- Alberta Native Bee Council (ANBC) – Bee monitoring program and registration for provincial bee program.
- Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) – As the Landowners at Frank Lake, DUC and Nature Calgary are developing a stewardship plan to help DUC in managing Frank Lake.
- Joan Broadhurst, Sylvan Lake Bats ‘n’ Birds – Joan is working with the Stewardship Committee to build all bee boxes, bat boxes, and Purple Martin boxes.