Stewardship Committee
Frank Lake was managed for many years by its dedicated caretaker, Greg Wagner. When Greg passed away in 2025, Nature Calgary took over as caretaker. The Frank Lake Stewardship Committee (the Stewardship Committee) was formed under Nature Calgary to manage the area on an ongoing basis.
This management includes both physical caretaking and advocating for the area. Working in partnership with Ducks Unlimited Canada, the Stewardship Committee will ensure that Frank Lake is healthy and well maintained through monitoring, advocacy, upkeep, and habitat restoration. The Stewardship Committee is undertaking a variety of projects.
Volunteer Opportunities
If you would like to apply for one of the positions available, please email franklakestewards@naturecalgary.com with the volunteer position you are interested in.
Spring and Fall bird counters (4 individuals for each season)
- Visit Frank Lake 1 day a week for 4 weeks (Spring – June &July; Fall – September & October)
- Visit either Basin 1, 2, 3 or 4 for data collection on birds
- Input all data onto the Frank Lake KBA project on eBird
- Report to the Stewardship Committee during monthly Zoom meetings (the month you do the counts only)
Plant documentation at Frank Lake (3 individuals)
- To document plants using iNaturalist
- Follow provided guidelines for documentation
- To be able to visit Frank Lake a min of 2 times a year (spring, summer, or fall)
- Join Stewardship Committee Zoom meetings as needed
- Work with committee lead for iNaturalist
Maintenance at Frank Lake (2 individuals)
- Regularly visit Frank Lake
- Assess the condition of bird nesting platforms, bat boxes, bee boxes and the road past the gate.
- Report any maintenance issues or repairs needed for any of the bat boxes, bee boxes, or bird platforms to the Stewardship Committee Chair or Vice-Chair.
- Report any safety concerns of the boardwalk to the Stewardship Chair or Vice-Chair.
- Join in monthly or bi-monthly Stewardship Committee meetings (Zoom).
Event Coordinator (1-2 individuals)
- Spring cleanup day
- Invasive plant removal day
- Citizen science events:
- May Plant count
- Alberta Biodiversity Challenge
- BioBlitz
- Join monthly or bi-monthly Stewardship Committee meetings (Zoom)
Frank Lake Fundraising (2-3 individuals)
- Work with the Stewardship Committee on raising funds for projects at Frank Lake
- Planning fundraising events
- Digital campaigns
- Working on corporate fundraising for bigger projects
- Join monthly Stewardship Committee meetings for updates on fundraising efforts (Zoom)
Purple Martin Monitoring Program (4 individuals, weekly rotation)
- Check nesting boxes for activity each week
- Fill out the Data form and send it to the Committee each week
- Take the free Purple Martin Nesting Program Protocol Education and Quiz
- Attend an orientation session at Frank Lake
- Attend monthly Stewardship Committee meetings (Zoom) from spring to fall (May to October)
Native Bee Monitoring Program (2 individuals)
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Document bee activity
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Submit documentation to the Stewardship Committee
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At the start of season (April), install nesting material
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At the end of season (October), clean out bee boxes
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Attend an orientation session at Frank Lake
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Check for any needed repairs and report to the Stewardship Committee
Purple Martin Box Installation (4 individuals)
- Help install 3 Purple Martin boxes (two at Basin 1 and one at Basin 3)
- Bring extra ladders that can go up to 15 feet minimum and have 4 legs
- Snacks and drinks will be provided
- Installation will be done on a Saturday (will provide date and 2 weeks notice, weather and ground conditions permitting)