Salmon Arm Bay Nature Enhancement Society (SABNES)
Eric Christmas Memorial Boardwalk and Wildlife Viewing Platform
We are pleased to announce that the project is now complete!
Stay tuned for information about the grand opening ceremony anticipated in June 2026.
Years in the making, SABNES embarked on an exciting project to rebuild the Eric Christmas Memorial boardwalk with a larger wildlife viewing platform. The viewing platform includes seating that is ideal for school groups and nature enthusiasts. Nestled in the reeds and away from noise, this space will serve as a peaceful spot for observing wildlife and an outdoor learning area for all ages.
This community project is more than just a structure – it is an opportunity to preserve access to one of the few remaining North American urban wetlands where 282 bird species thrive. You can view the remarkable courtship displays of the Western Grebes from the new platform and boardwalk.
After 30 plus years, and countless repairs, the original Eric Christmas Memorial Boardwalk deteriorated to the point of being unsafe. It was removed in September 2024.
A Community Effort
The Salmon Arm Bay Nature Enhancement Society (SABNES) embarked on an exciting project to build a new boardwalk and a larger wildlife viewing platform. This is more than just a structure; it’s an opportunity to preserve access to one of the few remaining urban wetlands where 282 bird species thrive, including the remarkable Western Grebes and their courtship dance.
This photo shows the original Eric Christmas boardwalk, built in 1990 and removed in September 2024. The new boardwalk and viewing platform have been constructed in the same location.
Our goal was to create a larger platform with seating that is ideal for school groups and nature enthusiasts. Nestled in the reeds and away from noise, this space will offer a peaceful setting for wildlife observation, scenic views, and outdoor learning for all ages.
Our Vision
Your Support Matters
To bring this vision to life, we needed to raise $350,000 and through the incredible generosity of our community and project partners we achieved this goal and saw this project through to completion in March 2026!