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Discover Sanctuary
in an Urban World.

Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary is an accessible green space in an urban landscape and includes two distinct ecosystems, a wetland around Swan Lake and a rocky, Garry oak-forest on top of Christmas Hill. Both habitats are home to an incredible array of rare and threatened native plants and wild animals.

Anna's Hummingbird mother feeding her young.

Anna's Hummingbird mother feeding her young.

Bumble bee on white variety of red-flowering currant.

Bumble bee on white variety of red-flowering currant.

Volunteers learn hands-on restoration.

Volunteers learn hands-on restoration.

About Us

The Sanctuary is a living classroom fostering a greater understanding of nature through direct experience. Educational programs are available for all ages that encourage stewardship of the natural environment.

To protect our native plants and wildlife (particularly ground nesting birds), please remember that dogs are not permitted in the Sanctuary.

Managed by a non-profit society, this urban refuge provides an exceptional opportunity to bring people and nature together.

We welcome you to explore and discover!

228
bird species
131
acres of wetland
70,000
annual visitors
4,000
Native plants sold each year
228
bird species
131
acres of wetland
70,000
annual visitors
4.5 km
walking trails

Our Values

Land Stewardship
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Land Stewardship

Our integrated approach to conserving and restoring Nature Sanctuary ecosystems is grounded in practices that are ecologically sound and based in science, research, consultation, and traditional ways of knowing.

Community Engagement
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Community Engagement

We build relationships with a diverse community of learners, nature lovers, neighbours, partners, advocates and local organizations who are vital to sustainng and elevating our ecosystem restoration efforts. The Sanctuary's welcoming urban green space fosters connection with nature and with each other.

Inspiring Action
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Inspiring Action

We encourage curiosity, independent exploration and discovery of the nature world. Through inquiry-based learning, we inspire others to value the critical role that natural sustems play in sustaining our quality of life and to be responsible advocates for nature conservation.

Care and respect
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Care and respect

In our stewardship of the land, we cultivate a strong ethic of care and respect for people and nature, and for the relationship between them. Nature uplifts ans renews us and in turn support community health and well-being.

Organizational Sustainability
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Organizational Sustainability

To increase and sustain out success, we thoughtfully manage our financial and human resources, data, and on-site facilities and infrastructure. We are ethical accountable and transparent in our work.