For those of us on the hunt for the perfect Christmas tree, look no further than the freshly chopped spruce up for grabs at the Cochrane Ecological Institute (CEI).
The Christmas tree-sized spruce have to be cleared from the CEI’s enclosure to maintain the habitat for the animals. So, why not use the trees to spread a little cheer and raise money for the animal rescue and rehabilitation refuge?
“These trees are invading the grasslands quite a bit,” said Lisa Dahlseide, volunteer education coordinator with the institute. “We need to make sure the elk, deer and bison have grazing land along with wooded areas.”
It will all take place at the venue’s kennels Dec. 7, 8, 14 and 15.
With a donation guests can pick out their desired tree and take it home, said Clio Smeeton, president of the Cochrane-area wildlife rescue and rehabilitation facility. Visitors can keep warm in the interpretative centre with hot chocolate while listening to a brief talk by Dahlseide.
Dahlseide said she’ll be taking willing participants on a quick tour of the facility, where they can check out the resident birds — a great-horned owl, a bald eagle, and two hawks. If you’re lucky, Christmas tree hunters may even catch a glimpse of the elk, deer and bison that call the property home.
“We have to cut the (trees) anyway,” said Smeeton in an email to the Eagle. “We thought that if people came, choose their tree and gave a donation to the Cochrane Ecological Institute, all the money would go towards wildlife rehabilitation and, in a way, would be a memorial for Polly and Beau.”
Polly and Beau were the two moose that were killed within their CEI enclosure earlier this month. Smeeton believes the two animals were shot, but investigation into the matter continues.
The Cochrane Ecological Institute is located along Township Road 280, east of Grand Valley Road. Signs will be put up in advance of the event to help people find their way.
For additional details on the spruce tree dispersal call the CEI at 403-932-6532.
