Canmore, Alberta - Natural Assets...
As the Pleistocene Epoch drew to a close, the ice that covered this melted and exposed a wide U-shaped valley cutting through the Front Ranges of the Rocky Mountains. Though the Bow River followed much the same course that it does today, the valley was a barren landscape covered with glacial silt and ice-pulverized rock.
Over time, the river continued to carve a channel back and forth across the valley floor, and tributary streams cut through the accumulation of glacial silt and stones piled high along the valley's sides. Sometimes these unsorted layers of glacial material were stubborn, resisting the eroding force of water to create isolated pillars, like the majestic Hoodoos that stand as silent sentinels above Canmore's historic cemetery.
The Terrain
 To the northwest is Mount Rundle, its multi-layered face revealing millions of years of sedimentary accumulation on the floor of an ancient sea. These layers were the building blocks of mountains-silt and lime-rich mud transformed through time to shale and limestone.
Around 200 million years ago, the oceanic plate that comprised the floor of the Pacific Ocean began to slide beneath the western edge of the North American continental plate. Sedimentary rock was shoved above the ocean's surface and the mountain ranges of today's British Columbia began to take shape. The forces of oceanic and continental plate collision continued for more than 100 million years, rippling through rock layers hundreds of metres thick and bulldozing them in an easterly direction. Finally, the last mountain range, the Rockies, was piled up in a heap of shattered and folded strata around 60 million years ago.
To the south and west side of the valley stand the Three Sisters, Mount Lawrence Grassi and Chinaman's Peak, to the northeast, the Fairholme Range-Mounts Princess Margaret, Charles Stewart and Lady Macdonald. All are carved from the same limestone and shale formations as Mount Rundle. All contain the fossils of sea creatures that lived over 325 million years ago.
Flora
 As the ice retreated, life came to the valley. Small plants took root in the glacial silt on the moist valley floor. When they died their nutrients mingled with the rock flour to create soil for larger plants and trees. Eventually a rich community of dry forest and open meadow emerged-the montane ecosystem.
Over 50 species of wildflowers were catalogued on Wind Mountain by the French botanist Eugene Bourgeau in 1858. Native grasses and shrubs flourish on the well-watered lowlands, and thick stands of poplar, Douglas fir, spruce and pine carpet the valley and cling to the sides of the surrounding mountains.
Fauna
The forests, meadows and marshes are the home of wildlife. The Bow Valley ecosystem supports elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, deer, wolf, cougar, black and grizzly bear, plus countless smaller species.
Golden eagles by the thousands ride the thermals overhead during their seasonal migrations. Bald eagles and osprey patrol the Bow River and Valley lakes, and dozens of species of songbirds are regular visitors. Rare birds, such as blue and Stellar's jays, can be found here. Canada jays, ravens and great horned owls are among the valley's permanent residents. Hundreds of mallard ducks thrive in the wetlands and over-winter in the spring-fed waters of Policeman's Creek.
Rainbow, cutthroat and brown trout make their home in the Bow River and its network of braided streams. The river is also the home of Rocky Mountain grayling.
Nature is Close at Hand
Spectacular mountain vistas, abundant wildlife and beautiful flowers can be found throughout the town and surrounding area. An extensive system of interpretive trails links the developed areas of the town to the surrounding natural world. Grotto Canyon, with its 8000 year old pictographs, the Hoodoos, Grassi Lakes, Quarry Lake, Policeman's Creek and the site of the vanished mining community of Georgetown are readily accessible.
The town shares its northwest boundary with Banff National Park-Canada's first national park and best known tourist destination. The town of Banff is 20 minutes away on the Trans Canada Highway. Other mountain parks-Kootenay, Yoho and Jasper-are all within a few hours' drive.
Kananaskis Country, 5200 square kilometres of peaks, valleys and glaciers set aside by the Province of Alberta for nature conservation and recreation, lies to the south and east. It contains three provincial parks within its boundaries, including spectacular Peter Lougheed Park.
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