Need a Christmas tree? If you pick one up at the Cochrane Ecological Institute and Cochrane Wildlife Reserve Society (CEI) this weekend, you will be supporting moose, buffalo, elk or deer – to name a few of the animals the CEI hosts.
“People come to us and pick their tree and give us a donation for the wildlife – it’s a win-win,” said Clio Smeeton, president of CEI. Trees are available by donation Dec. 12-13 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. both days.
This is the fourth year for the Christmas tree event, raising close to $1,000 last year for the injured or orphaned wildlife.
“It worked so well that we thought we’d keep doing it,” Smeeton said with a laugh.
The monies from the Christmas trees go into a bank account to be drawn on when needed.
“Taking in injured and orphaned wildlife is something you never know how much it is going to cost and veterinary costs are very high,” Smeeton explained. “The goal is to release the animals that come into us but some have to be wintered (this year).”
Smeeton said officials are grateful for the Arrowhead Veterinary Centre that helps the CEI with vet bills but mentioned that it still gets expensive.
Other animals the CEI will have over the winter, includes two bohemian and cedar waxwings that were brought in badly injured. The birds have not recovered in time for their migration, forcing the CEI to host the birds for the winter.
“They really love mountain ash berries,” Smeeton said (also known as rowan berries). Staff are accepting donations of the berries, or other root vegetables for the other animals, at the Christmas tree event. Or donations can be dropped off at Arrowhead Veterinary Centre, 118 Second Ave. W, Cochrane, during business hours.
“The (other animals) love potatoes, bananas or apples,” Smeeton explained.
The non-profit wildlife conservation, rescue, rehab and research institution was established in 1967.
The adjacent ‘Happy Tails Pet Retreat’ is a pet boarding facility and the main funding source for the CEI, as all proceeds from the kennel go toward CEI operations. The facility is open year-round.
Other fundraisers include the annual Christmas tree event, with trees that are cut, not farmed.
“We are clearing land for the elk, deer, buffalo and over the years more and more conifers are springing up, which means less pasture for the animals,” Smeeton explained in an email. “
Trees are available 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the CEI, located approximately 30 minutes northwest of Cochrane, along Township Road 280.
“If anyone wanted to bring extra donations we would be more than happy,” Smeeton said.
Staff can be reached at 403-932-5632. Visit ceinst.org to learn more.
