Join an Alberta May Plant Count event near you!
As spring takes hold and Alberta’s landscapes burst into bloom, Nature Alberta and the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) invite nature lovers of all kinds to participate in the Alberta May Plant Count, an annual citizen science initiative.
The May Plant Count, running from May 25 to 31, encourages participants to document the flowering status of native plant species using the iNaturalist smartphone app, contributing to the world’s largest biodiversity database.
The May Plant Count helps improve our understanding of wildflower distribution — including invasive, rare, and threatened species — and provides valuable data on flowering times. Beyond its scientific value, it also fosters a deeper appreciation for Alberta’s natural spaces and the incredible plants they support.
How to Participate
- Download the iNaturalist app and join the May Plant Count project.
- Explore Alberta’s natural spaces and snap photos of wildflowers in bloom.
- Submit your observations through iNaturalist between May 25 and 31.
Whether you join a volunteer event or explore on your own, the May Plant Count is an opportunity to celebrate Alberta’s natural beauty while supporting important conservation efforts. For more details and to participate, visit naturealberta.ca/may-plant-count.
Get Involved – Volunteer at a conservation event!
NCC is hosting three volunteer events where participants can help survey wildflowers and learn about local conservation efforts. Each event also offers a great opportunity to explore and discover a different natural region — representing some of Alberta’s major ecosystems:
- The Yarrow Property, near Waterton Lakes National Park, on May 30 at 10:00 am – explore sweeping Prairie grasslands where wide-open skies meet vibrant wildflower meadows.
- Campbell Property, in the Cooking Lake Moraine east of Edmonton, on May 30 at 10:00 am – immerse yourself in the lush boreal forest, rich with wetlands, and towering mixedwood forests.
- Warren Property, near Gull Lake, on May 29 at 10:00 am – discover the rolling aspen parkland, a beautiful blend of grasslands and forests teeming with early-blooming wildflowers.
Volunteers should dress for the weather, wear sturdy footwear, and bring sunscreen, insect repellent, water, lunch, and snacks, as we’ll be out in the field for several hours with limited amenities. To learn about each event and register visit NCC’s volunteer events page.
Explore on your own – visit an NCC conservation site
If you prefer a self-directed botanical adventure, visit an NCC conservation site like Nodwell at Horseshoe Canyon near Drumheller or Bunchberry Meadows near Edmonton. Across Alberta’s boreal forests, foothills, and grasslands there are NCC sites free to visit and to record blooming wildflowers. Visit Connect2Nature.ca to find an NCC conservation site near you.
What’s blooming?
By late May, Alberta’s forests and grasslands are coming alive with color. Keep an eye out for:
- Prairie crocus – One of the first flowers to bloom in Prairie grasslands and other open habitats, often appearing while snow is still on the ground.
- Three-flowered avens – Known as “old man’s whiskers” for its feathery seed heads, these Prairie grassland plants have rose-red flowers in the spring.
- Early blue violet – A crucial nectar source for early-season bees and butterflies.
- Marsh marigold – A wetland plant of Alberta’s boreal forests, this member of the buttercup family features eye-catching bright yellow blooms.
Quotes
“By participating in the May Plant Count, you join efforts of the long-standing annual citizen science project, the May Species Count, which was initiated in 1976. The aim of the May Species Count is to collect valuable species data while encouraging stewardship and appreciation of the amazing natural areas Alberta has to offer.” – Stephanie Weizenbach, Executive Director, Nature Alberta
“This information can help us manage conservation sites more effectively. Better understanding where rare plant populations are thriving or where invasive species are spreading can help us better take care of the lands we conserve.” – Delaney Schlemko, Natural Area Manager, Nature Conservancy of Canada
About
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is the country’s unifying force for nature. NCC seeks solutions to the twin crises of rapid biodiversity loss and climate change through large-scale, permanent land conservation. As a trusted partner, NCC works with people, communities, businesses and government to protect and care for our country’s most important natural areas. Since 1962, NCC has brought people together to conserve and restore more than 15 million hectares. To learn more, visit natureconservancy.ca.
Nature Alberta is a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation and appreciation of Alberta’s natural heritage. Nature Alberta supports a network of 50 grassroots nature organizations across the province, runs free events that connect families to nature, advances citizen science, and publishes Nature Alberta Magazine online with no paywall to make nature information and education accessible to all. Nature Alberta’s programs and initiatives encourage people to form meaningful connections with nature and empower them to conserve our wild species and spaces. To learn more, visit naturealberta.ca.
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Sean Feagan
Media & Communications Coordinator
Alberta Region
Mobile: (587) 707-6045