The City of Leduc is a diverse and dynamic municipality located in central Alberta that has experienced rapid growth over the last decade. This growth has put increasing pressure on a number of locally-, regionally-, and provincially-significant natural areas, many of which create unique spaces that contribute to the high quality of life experienced by the City’s residents.
This study was started in order to identify and manage the natural areas within the City of Leduc appropriately. It took inventory of existing natural areas, assessed the significance and condition of those areas, and identified natural areas that met specific scientific criteria for designation as Environmentally Significant Areas (ESAs).
In total, 86 natural areas were identified within the City of Leduc; of these, 10 natural areas were identified as Environmentally Significant Areas. The ESAs range in size from 2.7 ha to 148 ha, and collectively cover 328 ha, or ~8% of the City. Several of the ESAs represent important wildlife corridors, while others are large habitat patches that serve as core habitat for wildlife at both the local and regional scale.
Together, this portfolio of ESAs includes a diversity of habitat types that support a wide-range of wildlife species. It shows that these areas are foundational to the development and conservation of a local and regional network of natural areas that provide important ecosystem services to the community.
