Visiting Guidelines

Responsible Sanctuary Use

We are pleased that people are enjoying our natural area but please be advised that if the parking lot is full you need to come back another day. Parking on the county road may lead to being ticketed by the county as it may prevent emergency vehicles from passing.

Site users might not be aware that the Clifford  E Lee Nature Sanctuary is not a County or Provincial  Park, so has no services provided by these governments. There is no garbage pick-up, so we ask people to take out what you bring in. We have to pay to take garbage to the dump, so you can help out by removing your own garbage.

The Sanctuary is managed by a Volunteer management committee called the Lee Nature Sanctuary Society that looks after maintenance and raises funds for this purpose. If you enjoy using this site you might consider sending a donation to help maintain the Sanctuary or volunteer your time at a work party or you can even bring bags and empty the garbage.

  • Stay on designated trails, boardwalks, and viewing platforms.
  • Watch wildlife from a distance, avoid nesting sites and do not disturb animals.
  • Please do not pick flowers or remove plants from the Sanctuary.
  • Try not to disrupt the wildlife viewing activities of others.
  • Biking on the trails is not permitted.
  • Paddling on the marsh is not allowed due to disturbance to waterfowl.
  • Dogs are welcome, but they must remain on leash at all times. Also, please pick up after your dog to keep the Sanctuary clean for all visitors.
  • There is no hunting allowed on the site.
  • Geocaches are not allowed on the property due to damage caused by off-trail use.
  • Do not leave bird seed on the picnic tables and viewing platforms of the Sanctuary. The site is a natural habitat for wild animals and it is best that wildlife not be fed.  The picnic tables are for guests to sit, relax and have lunch  — please keep them clean.
  • Please do not hang up feeders on the site as they can become an eyesore if not maintained and if not filled regularly the birds that have become dependent on this food source may suffer.
  • Hours of operation are: one hour before sunrise to sunset.  Users of the Sanctuary and parking lot outside of these hours may have their license plate number recorded and reported to the RCMP for security reasons.
  • Visitors use the site at their own risk.

For more information on what ducks eat and why we ask people to not feed the ducks, check out this video from Ducks Unlimited’s Duck Doctor.

The Clifford E. Lee Nature Sanctuary is a protected area in Parkland County with four hiking trails that are perfect for all ages to enjoy wildlife watching.