Natural Areas & Urban Biodiversity

Hodgson Wetland, located in Hodgson Neighbourhood, has been protected since 2002.          

What's New

Explore Edmonton's Natural Areas with the new Urban BioKit!

Are you interested in learning more about our local natural area parks, but not sure where to begin? Check out the brand-new Urban BioKit, a colourful workbook full of engaging activities designed to help new Canadian families and others explore the wonders of Edmonton's nature.

The BioKit can be downloaded, printed and used at any natural area park in Edmonton. Hardcopies will be available soon. Please contact naturalareas@edmonton.ca for details.

Edmonton BioKit  

City of Edmonton Wetland Strategy

Edmonton’s wetlands are vibrant places where many plant and wildlife species find refuge in the urban landscape.  These natural areas also provide flood control, treat stormwater, recharge groundwater, and improve the quality of life in our city in many other ways.  

The City of Edmonton recognizes the importance of urban wetlands and has developed a Wetland Strategy to describe its integrated approach to wetland conservation. The strategy contains all of the City’s wetland-related strategic commitments and implementation tools, and is a resource for City staff, the public, government agencies, and other municipalities.

City of Edmonton Wetland Strategy

Nature... in the City?

Edmonton has a wonderful network of natural areas, including forest, grassland, wetlands, lakes and river valley areas. The North Saskatchewan river valley and ravine system is the backbone of the city's ecological network, or system of natural spaces. There are also many smaller natural areas in Edmonton's older neighbourhoods, in newly developing areas, and in the agricultural areas at the edge of the city.  

Native biodiversity (the diversity of life forms that are naturally found in Edmonton) is a good indicator of the health of our environment. Natural areas support the highest biodiversity in our city, but they are not the only places where nature thrives. Increasingly, nature can be found in the spaces between these larger protected areas: in backyards and schoolyards, in community gardens and constructed wetlands, on farms and in industrial areas.

As people take action to naturalize all kinds of areas, we are building and strengthening our ecological network.

For more information about Edmonton's biodiversity, including local plant and wildlife species, check out the Edmonton Biodiversity Report.

Edmonton Biodiversity Report

The Benefits of Protecting Nature

A healthy ecological network is important for many reasons:

• It provides habitat for native plants and wildlife
• It supports natural processes (soil regeneration, flood prevention, waste decomposition, crop pollination, seed dispersal, etc.), which we are absolutely dependent on for our survival
• It connects urban dwellers with the natural world – right in our own backyard! – giving us a chance to learn about plants, wildlife and natural processes
• It gives us beautiful places to exercise, relax and unwind, which supports our physical and mental well-being

Through careful stewardship we can make sure that our local ecological network and the biodiversity it supports are protected. To this end, together with community partners, the City is working to achieve its 10-year goal for environmental protection:

In partnership with its citizens, businesses and institutions, Edmonton is the nation’s leader in setting and achieving the highest standards of environmental preservation and sustainability both in its own practices, and by encouraging and enabling the practices of its partners.

For more information, see The Way Ahead, The City of Edmonton's Strategic Plan.

What the City of Edmonton is doing to protect Natural Areas and Biodiversity

The Office of Biodiversity coordinates biodiversity protection for the City. The Office works with other departments to ensure that natural areas are protected, restored and managed, and that opportunities exist for community members to get engaged in the stewardship of natural areas.  

More information about how the City is protecting natural areas

Natural Area Locations

Edmonton's natural areas can be found throughout the city. This map shows the location of natural areas - both those that are currently protected and those that are not. As of 2011, Edmonton had almost 3,900 hectares of protected natural areas.

Edmonton's Natural Areas

Some of these areas are on private land and have not yet been protected, but many are owned by the City and are accessible to the public.

Check out our Natural Area Parks section for more information about natural areas you can visit!

For more information:

Office of Biodiversity

Telephone	311
Fax	780-496-1150
Email	naturalareas@edmonton.ca

Parks - General Information

Telephone	311 Outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311
Fax	780-496-1150
Email	parks@edmonton.ca