About Us
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.
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!
Our values
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.
We build relationships with a diverse community of learners, nature lovers, neighbours, partners, advocates and local organizations who are vital to sustaining and elevating our ecosystem restoration efforts. The Sanctuary’s welcoming urban greenspace fosters connection with nature and with each other.
We encourage curiosity, independent exploration and discovery of the natural world. Through inquiry-based learning, we inspire others to value the critical role that natural systems play in sustaining our quality of life and to be responsible advocates for nature conservation.
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 and renews us and in turn supports community health and well-being.
To increase and sustain our 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.