(Photo supplied)

By rdnewsNOW staff

Her life's Work

Ellis Bird Farm site manager retires after 33 years

Nov 2, 2020 | 10:45 AM

A local who helped change a farm east of Blackfalds into a beautiful nature sanctuary is calling it a career.

After 33 years, site manager Myrna Pearman has retired from Ellis Bird Farm.

On Oct. 30, the farm’s Board of Directors honored Pearman for her many contributions and achievements to make Charlie and Winnie Ellis’s farm into the beautiful facility it is today.

In her words, it was “more than just a job, it was her life’s work.”

“Ellis Bird Farm would not be the success it is today without the dedication, commitment and oversight of EBF’s volunteer Board of Directors, past and current,” added Pearman.

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“These community members care deeply about Ellis Bird Farm and volunteer their time and talents to ensure accountability and good governance. I appreciate the current Board, who have worked with me over the past months to navigate the uncharted waters of my exit from the organization. I wish (them) all the best in the future.”

Over the years, Ellis Bird Farm officials say Pearman has overseen the restoration and development of Winnie’s flower gardens; preserved and created a walking trail in the West Woods; worked to develop wetland habitat; maintained a blue bird trail; established a purple martin colony and the largest collection of blue bird houses in the world; continued the research and collection of an amazing amount of data on blue birds, purple martins and bats; and was instrumental in Ellis Bird Farm having the first Motus tower in Alberta for tracking the migration of birds.

Under Pearman’s leadership, the Ellis Bird Farm site was established. Charlie and Winnie’s home became a Café. The barn and granary (the oldest in Alberta) were preserved. The Ellis Centre was built to welcome visitors in 1994 and the larger ME Global Ellis Bird Farm Visitor Centre was opened in 2014. These buildings are filled with displays and exhibits about nature.

Walking paths were paved for better access for the disabled. The water garden as well as the Wetland Centre and pier were additions that were very popular with visitors. The indigenous circle deck, benches and picnic site helped to complete the site. Structures built more recently include a children’s nature play area, viewing tower, bridge and gazebo. Ellis Bird Farm officials say none of this development would have been possible without the generous support of donors engaged by Pearman.

Watching children become excited about nature thrilled Pearman. To expose more children to the natural world, curriculum-based school programs were developed. Each spring as many as 2,000 students participate in a number of classes and events meant to give the children an appreciation of wildlife.

Pearman is also widely known for her beautiful nature photography. In addition, she is a prolific writer and has provided articles about nature to Nature Alberta, The Gardener and other publications. Pearman has authored several books with the most recent book being Charlie, Winnie and the Bluebirds, all about the history and development of Ellis Bird Farm.

In recognition of all the conservation and research she has done over the years, particularly regarding the bluebirds, Pearman has received numerous awards. In 2020, she became a Fellow in the Royal Canadian Geographical Society.

Pearman’s legacy is described as being deeply valued by all those who have been associated with the Ellis Bird Farm. The current Board of Directors at Ellis Bird Farm, and those that came before, would like to wish Myrna Pearman a joyful and fulfilling retirement.