In 1977 the Clifford E. Lee Foundation purchased a quarter section of marsh land from Hector Cunningham, a local farmer, for the purpose of establishing a nature sanctuary. Located 25 km southwest of Edmonton the property was leased by the Canadian Nature Federation. Subsequently, a steering committee comprised of local residents, the Edmonton Bird Club, and the Edmonton Natural History Club was formed for administrative purposes. The Sanctuary was officially opened to the public in 1980.