Work is underway to complete a new Woodland Sanctuary in Lacombe.
The City and St. Andrew’s United Church broke ground on the project this week.
The Tree Planting Project is a collaborative effort between the City and the United Church to transform a 1.7-acre municipal reserve on the west end of Woodland Drive into a natural forest ecosystem with 100 native trees and shrubs and hundreds of native flowering perennials.
According to the city, the initiative aims to make a positive environmental impact, promote sustainability, foster community engagement, enhance mental and spiritual health, and beautify municipal areas.
The design was developed and approved following a public engagement design workshop conducted by Cynthia Pohl of Living Lands Landscape + Design, contracted by the St. Andrew's Green Team.
The cost of installation, design and layout work, plant material, habitat structures, and seating is over $50K and is funded through private donations and grants through the United Church. The estimated budget for the City is $36K over three years, which is covered within the current budget.
The City will manage ongoing site maintenance, including watering in the first three years, mowing of the path, and ongoing weeding as necessary.
The sanctuary is scheduled to be available for public use by June 2025.
