Bunchberry Meadows Conservation Area
Aug 31, 2025
On August 31, 2025 ENPS Board members Kristina Haagsma and Daniella Liknes guided this field trip, which attracted a total of 13 participants, for about half of whom it was a first visit.
All participants signed a health and safety waiver, in compliance with ENPS’ new practice for field trips. The tour was along the Aspen Parkland Trail and the Blueberry Connector Trail for a total of 3.67 km, taking just less than three hours. The guides reported that some people seemed a bit surprised by the level of taxonomic detail offered, suggesting that they had possibly expected a shorter, perhaps more relaxing walk in pleasant surroundings.
Kristina writes: “The fruits and seeds of the forest groundcover species were particularly interesting. We were able to contrast how a given species looks growing in the forest versus how the same species appears growing in full sun. We did some teaching about how invasive species affect the wider ecosystem. We offered some pointers on which plants do well in the garden, where/how to transplant them, and where to source them.”