Our last day in Sherwood Park was rainy. April, her daughter, and I visited the Heritage Hills wetland within the town, an award-winning natural stormwater system designed with wildlife specifically in mind. The system consists of a couple of connected water bodies with foot bridges, waterfowl viewing platforms, stilling ponds to allow silt to settle out, walking trails around it, and even a fish ladder. My mind boggled to see Red-necked Grebes, American Coots, Buffleheads, Ruddy Ducks, Double-crested Cormorants, a Wilson's Snipe, Killdeer, Black Terns, Purple Martins, and even a large American White Pelican all sharing this unique habitat. I would love to see Ottawa consider something like this.

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