Alberta Birds of Prey Foundation receives $1 million CFEP grant

Sunny South News Photo by Kristine Jean. GRANT: Members of Coaldale Town Council joined Taber-Warner MLA Grant Hunter for a cheque presentation on Feb. 13 at the Alberta Birds of Prey Centre in Coaldale. The provincial government recently presented the Alberta Birds of Prey Foundation with a $1 million CFEP grant.

By Kristine Jean
Sunny South News

The Alberta Birds of Prey Foundation in Coaldale is using a $1 million CFEP grant from the provincial government to improve and expand an Environmental Learning Centre.  

The Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP) matching grant was announced Feb. 13 in an on-site cheque presentation that included Taber-Warner MLA and Minister of Environment and Protected Areas, Grant Hunter, members of Coaldale council and Birds of Prey Foundation manager, Colin Weir. 

Weir said it was exciting to receive the largest grant in the centre’s history that will be used to improve and expand an Environmental Learning Centre, located on the north side of the facility. 

“This is for a $2.5 million dollar upgrade to our centre. We have to match the million dollars as well ourselves, with money that we raise from donors,” said Weir, noting the new gathering space will be used for hosting groups of over 200 people, private events and will offer some new tourism products.

They also hope to accommodate private bookings in the shoulder seasons – before May and after September, and anticipate increasing staff numbers during the summer to help operate the Environmental Learning Centre.      

   “We’re also able to open whole new areas of the centre that’s sat undeveloped for the last 20 to 25 years – so the west portion of our site, there’s two or three acres of land there and a lot of the funding will be put into naturescaping and landscaping in that area as well,” he said, noting visitors from across Southern Alberta, including school visits from Medicine Hat to Crowsnest Past, Milk River to High River, and Calgary 

“We also attract lots of tourists to the area as well, so there’s a lot of dynamic reasons why this project has met so many good points to qualify for funding,” explained Weir.  

The centre has received much support from the provincial government through the CFEP over the years, noted Weir.  

“The CFEP program is wonderful. It’s really helped us improve this facility in many ways,” said Weir noting previous grants ranging from $75,000 to $125,000. “When we qualified for a million dollar project, it was just like a quantum leap for us with the quality of the facility, and elevating both the visitor experience for tourists as well as the services we provide for wildlife rescue and release as well.”   

The Birds of Prey Centre gets 300 to 400 calls to help birds a year, mostly hawks, eagles and owls. They release about 70 to 100 birds every year and also receive calls for advice on other species including ducks.  

Minister Hunter noted how the funds will help complete new renovations with the Environmental Learning Centre. 

“We have two streams – we have a small stream and a large stream CFEP (grant) and that is provided each year to recipients,” said Hunter noting the importance of the CFEP grants. “This is the right place for us to put a million dollars. I think in years to come, it will be paying dividends.”    

Coaldale Mayor Jack Van Rijn was also in attendance at the announcement on Feb. 13 and pointed out important role that the Environmental Learning Center will have for visitors and residents.  

“The new Environmental Learning Centre will expand opportunities for schools and families to connect with wildlife conservation in a hands-on, meaningful way,” said Van Rijn. “We were proud to stand alongside Colin Weir and his team today. Their dedication to rescuing and rehabilitating injured raptors has made a lasting impact across southern Alberta.

 “This $1 million CFEP investment is a major win for the Alberta Birds of Prey Foundation and a strong vote of confidence in the work being done right here in Coaldale,” he added, noting the Birds of Prey Centre draws visitors from across Alberta and around the world, helping position Coaldale as a premier destination for conservation education and eco-tourism. 

“This project strengthens both wildlife conservation efforts and our local economy, supporting tourism, education, and community engagement for years to come,” said Van Rijn.