Bighill Creek Preservation Society

02/05/2026

Bid on a stunning watercolour by Karl Geist, renowned illustrator at Alberta University of the Arts!

Reserve: $200.

Proceeds fuel the Bighill Creek Preservation Society's mission since 2015 to safeguard the 174 km² Bighill Creek Watershed—a perennial spring-fed gem in a glacial valley north of Cochrane.

This unique watershed, home to Bighill Springs Provincial Park, gathers waters from prairie cattle lands into cold, clear streams teeming with trout and vibrant riparian zones. But it's under threat from gravel pits—your bid supports vital conservation, fresh from their 2025 State of the Watershed Report!

Closes April 25, 2026, at BCPS AGM.

Email [email protected] with your name & bid. 🐟🎨

03/14/2025

Important*

We just want to send out a quick reminder that the online survey for the ARP closes at 4pm this Friday, March 14th. If you haven’t completed it yet, please find a few minutes to do so.

https://engage.rockyview.ca/aggregate-resource

Here’s the link to the survey. It can look daunting because it is quite long. Don’t be intimidated – simply respond to the issues you care about and leave the others blank.

As we said earlier, the proposed ARP policies are a huge step forward. It’s important that council hears that there is strong support in the community – completing the survey provides that signal. We expect that industry is lobbying for the weakest rules they can, we need to be sure our voices are heard as loudly.

As always, if you have any questions, please be sure to let us know. Also, please share this with your friends and neighbors.

All the best,
Rocky View Gravel Watch and Bighill Creek Preservation Society

Have your say on proposed new measures for aggregate management within Rocky View County

01/16/2024

Bighill Creek Preservation Society continues to be very concerned about the development of gravel mines which we believe will harm Big Hill Springs Provincial Park and Bighill Creek.

Negative impacts include pollution of groundwater which sustains the Park and Creek, diminution of enjoyment of the more than 250,000 annual Park visitors, harm caused by fugitive noise and dust on the ecology and wildlife of the Park and the drainage.

By the end of 2024, three and potentially four mines will be in operation within one mile of the Park’s boundaries, with the potential for three additional mines in the coming years. This map illustrates lands in surrounding Cochrane controlled by gravel interests

11/22/2023

A significant portion of Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park would be lost if a proposed flood mitigation dam is built. Less than one half of one percent of Rocky View County’s land base including this Park, is protected from development. The Premier proposes to more than double the provincial population by 2050 . BCPS believes Glenbow must be saved and substantially more of our natural environment must protected to support the physical and spiritual health of the citizens of our region. Please view the video.

Important Update from Jeromy Farkas, Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation CEO
Good morning friends

I'm writing to inform you of an important development that could irreversibly destroy Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park.

09/28/2023

The Canadian Institute of Resources Law (CIRL) in the Faculty of Law at the University of Calgary invites you to the following free, in-person workshop:

Big Hill Springs Provincial Park is located just north of Cochrane in Rocky View County. Regulated and managed by Alberta Parks under the Parks Act. The park is highly valued by the province and the 250,000 people who use the park each year. The park’s land, water and complex vegetation reflect the fragile ecosystem that thrives within the Big Hill Creek watershed. The creek is largely spring-fed from the Paskapoo aquifer..... Click the link to learn more and join us!

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/ab-law-impacts-of-gravel-extraction-on-the-ecosystem-of-big-hill-springs-tickets-721521358807

09/27/2023

https://www.adventuresforwilderness.ca/adventures/a4w2023-exploring-big-hill-springs-and-bighill-creek/
Register now to join us this Sunday! Learn more about Big Hill Springs Park and why it is so unique. We would love to have you join us.

01/10/2023 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm - Be part of the adventure! Explore Big Hill Spring and Bighill Creek, on a trail few folks visit and see why it deserves special protection. The springs and creek are under threat of being forever altered by proposed gravel mines. This section of Bighill Creek boasts....

08/16/2023

Alberta Environment and Protected Areas (AEPA) approved the development of a gravel mine just 800 metres from Big Hill Spring Provincial Park in July.

06/13/2023

Thanks to everyone who came out to participate in our Bio Blitz!

Read the full story and comment on CochraneToday.ca

06/09/2023

Bighill Creek BioBlitz

June 10, 2023

10:00am - 4:00 pm, some snacks and water available
Information sites at Cochrane Ranch picnic site off Hwy 1A, or after the 4th St. bridge along Ranche Road.

Either just come and participate with a map and data sheet, or download the free iNaturalist icon using Google or Apple.

Set it up to select “projects” and type in Bighill Creek BioBlitz and JOIN IT !!!! (VERY IMPORTANT TO JOIN)

Take photos, identify using suggestions and your knowledge (does not have to be correct) and the date, time and GPS will automatically appear.

Press SHARE and the photos and information should come to BCPS.

05/30/2023

ROCKS ARE NEAT! Learn more about the geology of the area around Cochrane, including Big Hill Spring on a field trip with senior geologist Tako Koning this Saturday, June 3. Registration is free, though donations to the Alberta Wilderness Association are gratefully accepted! Bighill Creek Preservation Society will also be on hand to discuss the threats facing this special area.
https://www.adventuresforwilderness.ca/adventures/a4w2023-ice-glaciers-gravel-and-oil-cochrane-north-field-trip-june/