See the connections for yourself
Western Sky creates opportunities for people to spend time in the landscapes that support everyday life across southern Alberta. Through public trails, outdoor learning, presentations and volunteering, people can see how water, wildlife, working lands and communities are connected.
Some lands connected to Western Sky remain privately owned and are not open to the public. We create experiences carefully, in the right places, with respect for landowners, wildlife, and the land itself.
Some lands connected to Western Sky remain privately owned and are not open to the public. We create experiences carefully, in the right places, with respect for landowners, wildlife, and the land itself.
Four ways to connect
Whether you want to visit, learn, host a conversation, or lend a hand, there is a way to begin.
Follow public trails through grasslands, wetlands and river habitat in the heart of Diamond Valley.
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Educators and families can use curriculum-connected activity kits to explore water, seasons, ecosystems and community.
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Invite Western Sky to your workplace, classroom, service club or community gathering to explore how land shapes everyday life.
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Help with events, outdoor learning, habitat care or other practical needs as opportunities become available.
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A place to pause, notice, and learn
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Gray Park Natural Area in Diamond Valley offers public trails through grasslands, riparian forests, wetlands, and dynamic river habitats along the Sheep River. It is a place to slow down, notice seasonal change, and see how water, wildlife, and community meet.
Gray Park exists today because of Gordon Gray’s generous donation and a partnership between Western Sky Land Trust and the Town of Diamond Valley. Public trails invite exploration, while sensitive habitat areas remain closed to give wildlife room to feed, shelter and raise young. Bring Gray Park Bingo and see how many signs of the season you can find. |
The landscape can be a classroom
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When students learn outdoors, water, soil, plants and wildlife become things they can observe, question and understand firsthand. At Gray Park, educators and families can use curriculum-connected activity kits for self-guided outdoor learning.
Current programs explore park planning, floods, seasonal change and ecosystem engineering. Educators and community leaders are encouraged to contact us early so we can help identify an experience suited to their group. |
Bring Western Sky to your workplace or community
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Bring Western Sky to your workplace, classroom, service club, or community gathering. Our presentations introduce the landscapes that quietly support everyday life, explain what a land trust does in clear language, and show how thoughtful decisions about land can benefit water, food production, wildlife, businesses, and communities.
Presentations can be shaped around your audience, available time, and areas of interest. Formats may include workplace lunch and learns, staff presentations, classroom conversations, and community events. |
Help care for a place
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Some experiences involve rolling up your sleeves and helping care for a place directly. Depending on the season and project, volunteers may help with events, outdoor learning, habitat care, monitoring, trail work or other practical needs. These opportunities help people understand the landscape while contributing time and skills where they are most useful.
Individuals, community groups, service clubs, and workplace teams are welcome to connect with us. Opportunities vary by season, location, staff capacity, and the needs of the land, but we would be glad to explore an experience that is meaningful for your group and responsible for the place. |
Please know before you go
Most lands cared for through Western Sky remain privately owned working lands and are not open to the public. Please visit only places clearly identified for public access or attend an organized experience. Respecting access is part of respecting the people and relationships that make this work possible.