Friends of Elk Island Society

10/10/2026

National Herbal Medicine Week runs the last week of October every year and begins Sunday, October 26, 2026 this year. Elk Island National Park has three native plant beds at the Visitors Centre that the Friends of Elk Island Society planted and continue to manage. These plants, some of which have medicinal properties, have close ties to the area’s Indigenous culture. The native plants in those beds include Yarrow, Smooth Aster, Giant Hyssop, Brown Eyed Susan, Bluebell, Prairie Rocket, Wild Bergamot, White Evening Primrose, Rigid Goldenrod, and Prairie Sage.

10/10/2026

The International Day of Climate Action is observed every year on October 24th. It is dedicated to raising awareness of efforts to address the climate crisis. Climate is the result of complex interactions among air, water, land, and organisms producing weather conditions, which shape ecosystems and human activities.

10/10/2026

October Big Day is a 24-hour global citizen science event on October 10, 2026 where bird lovers record the birds they see or hear. See the link for details. https://naturealberta.ca/october-big-day/

10/10/2026

World Habitat Day is the first Monday of October each year - October 5, 2026. This year’s theme is ‘Adequate Housing for All.’

09/16/2026

September 27, 2026 is World Rivers Day. This is a celebration of the world’s waterways. It highlights the many values of rivers and strives to increase public awareness and encourages the improved stewardship of rivers around the world

09/16/2026

World Cleanup Day 2026 is on September 20th. The theme this year is “From Clean Plates to Clean Cities,” focusing specifically on food waste reduction, circular economies, and sustainable urban waste systems.

09/16/2026

September 18-27 is the Great Canadian Bioblitz through iNaturalist. Check out the link https://cwf-fcf.org/en/conserve/inaturalist/bioblitz.html to participate.

09/13/2026

09/02/2026

Don’t forget! Photo contest deadline is September 10th!!!!

08/29/2026

There’s a Milky Way Star Party in Elk Island National Park this Sunday, September 6, 2026 at the Astotin Lake recreation area. FEIS will have a booth onsite from 2-5 pm.

The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada and Elk Island National Park are hosting the event, which will run from 2:00 pm until very late. Come on out and see the stars!