For more than 100 years, the “Harmony Lands” have been used for ranching purposes, providing grazing land for cattle with isolated areas of crop production. The diversity of natural vegetation on the land and along the wetland boarders reflects this past agricultural use.
Given the current condition of the site, one of Harmony’s goals for the community’s landscape is to naturalize and rehabilitate by proactively reintroducing and nurturing a spectrum of native grasses, shrubs, perennials, and trees. Our plan for trees alone is to plant approximately 17,500 new trees in an area where only five existed previously.
A significant component of the overall planting strategy is to replicate regionally occurring vegetation patterns, with predominantly native trees and shrubs in lower lying areas, clustered near retained water, and drought tolerant, naturalized grasslands at higher elevations. Historic references to the settlers, such as “shelter belts,” may also be included. Plant selection for linear open spaces, parks, and boulevards will favour native, non-invasive, Chinook- hardy trees and shrubs, whereas public gardens, gathering spaces, road medians, and neighbourhood entries will have an ornamental aesthetic with flowering trees, shrubs, and flowers in a more formal and dense planting structure.
Harmony is located in a region of Alberta that includes both the Aspen Parkland and Fescue Grassland, and Cypress Hills ecoregions. Some of the plants and trees that are native to this area/temperature zone include:
Most of these species have been incorporated into the landscape design for Harmony.
In Harmony’s first phase neighbourhoods, honouring native plants and birds is the theme for street names, including:
Wildlife Strategy in Harmony
Providing naturalized vegetation will help promote the habitat required to encourage the movement of wildlife within or near the community. The potential occurrence of rare or special status wildlife species on-site is considered to be low, and initial studies have found none on the existing site. Wildlife corridors currently do not exist on this land, and the most common animals in the area are domesticated cows and horses.
Through the creative use of trees, shrubs, grasses and perennials, one of the re-vegetation strategies for the project is to provide a hierarchy of plant species throughout the open space system to encourage the population of local wildlife and provide habitat for a diversity of insect, reptile, bird and animal life.
As the landscape matures, it may not be uncommon to see a group of deer bounding through a meadow of naturalized grass, or robins nesting in the canopy of an aspen grove, or a wetland teeming with tadpoles!
Through the rehabilitation and diversification of land and water habitats, the occurrence of wildlife is expected to increase. Due to Harmony’s proximity to the Springbank Airport, it is our goal to achieve a balance between restoring waterfowl and nesting bird habitats and discouraging bird activity within airplane flight zones.
Birds’ preference for unobstructed shorelines and open water has been carefully considered when determining lake edge treatments, wetland locations, and aquatic plantings.
The lake will also be stocked to provide year-round recreational fishing opportunities. Water quality of the lake will be regularly tested and monitored to ensure that fish populations flourish and that health standards for water quality are maintained.
Our wildlife strategy works in concert with our naturalization and water strategies, and will provide another layer of complexity and interest to the community as we find and celebrate our place in nature.