News from the Lodge

Harvesting vegetables and building an elk-proof fence.

Accomplishments in 2023:

Our society continues to focus on sustainability by making all lodge renovations of high quality to last 30 years. All of us were aware of the drought conditions and wildfires this past summer. Our response was to follow FIRE SMART principles and put sprinkler systems in place to protect buildings. Thankfully, we were not seriously threatened. We continue to provide a range of year-round activities for guests and hope that more will enjoy the magic of nature in autumn, winter, and spring.

Here are a few other accomplishments:

  • Overnight guest accommodations continued to increase, with our accessible cabins being the most popular. Guests included the filming of friends of “Wheelie Peeps” enjoying nature for the PUSH program on CBC GEM. This video will be screened in 2024.
  • Volunteers provided almost 600 person-days to maintain the property. We were especially delighted that 11 volunteers of African backgrounds came to the lodge with Gail Mannard-Carr and Dave Carr. These volunteers prepared over 1,000lb of carrots, rutabagas, potatoes, and onions for the Leduc and District and the University of Alberta Campus Food Banks.  The Gilbert family has kept our lawns trimmed all summer. Members of the Connect Society (hearing-challenged) and Don Purdy have made weekly maintenance contributions.
  • We tell visitors that our food bank gardens grow “A to Z” produce. That may be a bit of a stretch but we have asparagus and zucchini. Due to the low rainfall this spring our shrubs of raspberries, honeyberries, currants, and Saskatoon berries gave only small quantities of fruit. Peas, beans, beets, potatoes, rutabagas, and green onions did very well. About 7,000 lb of fresh produce was delivered to four food banks.
  • We keep trails free of beaver-cut trees and old trees that toppled over during wind storms. Children are especially pleased to hear that beavers make firewood for their hot dog and marshmallow treats at our fire pit. Ted Hogg produced a detailed map of trails for Trekkers. We have increased our trail length, especially on the east quarter-section of the property.
  • Hungry elk demolished bales of hay before Christmas.
  • Early in the year, volunteers set tracks for cross-country skiing. There was no snow in November and December so skiers hope for better conditions in 2024!
  • Hosted many special guests including those with disabilities (including people with mobility issues, sight limitations, and wheelchair users), men’s and women’s clubs, refugees, New Canadians, and seniors.

Goals for 2024 :

  • Join us for events in 2024 as we celebrate our 10th anniversary of ownership of the Coyote Lake Lodge property. This makes us think about sustainability over the next ten years. Watch for announcements.
  • Above all, we hope to attract more guests and hold more events through all the seasons. We also hope to attract more volunteers interested in volunteering with us to support seniors and persons with a disability access nature.
  • During the first 10 years our facility moto was “build it and they will come”. For seniors and persons with a disability, this also means “we need a little help from our friends”. As resources become available this year, we will add solar panels, automatic door openers, and renovations for better accessibility of Cabin 3. Help us find funds in support of these goals.
  • We always further develop accessible trails. We will be providing more rest benches and shelters at trail lookouts. Some trails follow Beaver and Coyote Creeks. Past owners of the property pastured cattle which heavily damaged the creek-side vegetation to the point that aggressive grasses as well as nettles and thistles now dominate. We are working with “WildandPine” to plant trees along the creeks as part of their community service program in 2024.  Site preparation has been completed. As trees begin to dominate, there will be fewer weeds and enhanced biodiversity (water animals and birds) for wildlife viewing, more permanent stream flow, and reduced streamside erosion. 
  • Food bank gardens will produce much better with irrigation, so a water pump is on our wish list. We hope to beat the 7,000 lb record of donations established in 2023.
  • Most guests arrive at our lodge by car or bus but now we have other exciting modes of transport. Can you imagine jet boating upriver or taking a helicopter flight right to the lodge’s doorstep? These trips could earn you bragging rights for years!