Flora & Fauna
Discover the diverse plants and wildlife that make the Lethbridge River Valley a unique urban wilderness.
Flora/Plant Life
Native Trees
Learn to identify cottonwoods, willows and other riparian trees.
Plains Cottonwood
Populus deltoides
Our iconic native tree with triangular leaves.
Click here to view a detailed guide.
Peachleaf Willow
Salix amugdaloides
Common willow with narrow, peach-like leaves.
Balsam Poplar
Populus balsamifera
Fragrant buds in spring, heart-shaped leaves.
Shrubs & Bushes
Identify natives shrubs and invasive species.
Silver Buffaloberry
Shepherdia argentea
Native shrub with silvery leaves and red berries.
Saskatoon Serviceberry
Amelanchier alnifolia
Produces edible purple berries in summer.
Wild Rose
Rosa woodsii
Alberta's provincial flower.
Invasive Species
Learn to identify and report invasive plants.
Russian Olives
Elaeagnus angustifolia
Highly invasive tree threatening native ecosystems.
Common Tansy
Tanacetum vulgare
Invasive herb with yellow button flowers.
Canada Thistle
Cirsium arvense
Invasive perennial with purple flowers.
Leaf & Bark Identification
Narrowleaf Cottonwood
P. angustifolia
- Sword shape
- Narrow leaf
- Smooth edges
- Short petiole
Plains Cottonwood
P. deltoides
- Triangle shape
- Broad leaf
- Serrated edges/teeth
- Long petiole
Balsam Poplar/Black Cottonwood
P. balsamifera/P. trichocarpa
- Heart shape
- Broad leaf
- Smooth edges
- Medium length petiole
Narrowleaf Cottonwood Bark
Deep furrows with distinctive pattern, lichen presence.
Plains Cottonwood Bark
Deep furrows with thick ridges, grayish colour.
Balsam Poplar/Cottonwood Bark
Moderate furrows, darker colouration with green moss.
Fauna/Wildlife
Birds
More than 100 bird species call the River Valley home.
Great Blue Herron
Large wading bird often seen along the river.
Red-tailed Hawk
Common raptor soaring above the valley.
Belted Kingfisher
Blue-gray bird that dives for fish.
Yellow Warbler
Bright yellow songbird in willows.
Mammals
Diverse wildlife including deer, foxes and more.
White-tailed Deer
Commonly seen browsing in the valley.
Red Fox
Adaptable predator active at dawn and dusk.
Beaver
Ecosystem engineer creating wetland habitat.
Richardson's Ground Squirrel
Small burrowing rodent, important prey species.
Aquatic Life
Fish and invertebrates in the Oldman River.
Northern Pike
Large predatory fish in deeper pools.
Goldeye
Native fish with distinctive large eyes.
Lake Sturgeon
Endangered ancient fish species, critical to protect.
Freshwater Clams
Filter feeders that help clean the water.
Insects & Pollinators
Essential pollinators and beneficial insects.
Monarch Butterfly
Migrating butterfly feeding on milkweed.
Bumblebee
Important pollinators for native plants.
Dragonfly
Aerial hunters controlling mosquito populations.
Black Widow Spider
Venomous spider found in rocky areas, important pest controller.
Contact Us
City Hall
910 4 Avenue South
Lethbridge, AB T1J 0P6
Phone: 311
or 403-320-3111 (if outside of Lethbridge)