In the coming spring of 2026, visitors to the new stormwater management facility near the Devon industrial park—whether out for a walk with their dogs or scanning the water for birds—will notice a new sign installed beside the pond. The sign was funded through the generosity of Devon Communities in Bloom and created for the Devon Ecological Collective (DECO).
In 2025 DECO members began exploring the idea of establishing an eco‑reserve at the south end of town, where Devon had constructed a stormwater management pond three years earlier. Around the same time, Alberta Transportation completed a second, much larger stormwater facility just across the highway in Leduc County. Over the past three years, these two connected ponds have naturally evolved into a thriving habitat for a wide range of wildlife, including shorebirds, ducks, geese, and frogs. Today, the surrounding shoreline is rich with tall grasses, bulrushes, and wildflowers, creating a peaceful, park‑like setting. Anyone visiting during the warmer months is treated to the sights and sounds of the abundant aquatic life.
Many of the wetland bird species nesting in the area build their nests directly on the ground, leaving them vulnerable to disturbance from the steady foot traffic of walkers and bird watchers. To help protect these sensitive nesting sites, DECO approached several municipal and provincial government departments with a proposal to install signage identifying the ponds as ecologically sensitive areas. Recognizing the value of the initiative, the Town of Devon approved the installation of the new sign and offered to collaborate with Leduc County to place similar signage at the second pond.
As part of Devon’s 75th anniversary celebrations, the Town also provided 75 trees, which volunteers planted around the Devon pond. The Devon Nature Club later staked and wrapped the young trees after discovering that local rabbits had taken a liking to them. The club has also installed 15 birdhouses in the area and plans to add a Purple Martin house this spring.
The Devon Communities in Bloom (DCiB) board is looking for more members.
We are not just flowers! The national CIB program focuses on the following areas: Environmental Action, Heritage Conservation, Tree Management, Landscape, Community Appearance and Plant and Floral Displays.
We currently have a 7-member board of community-minded individuals who are interested in some or all of the following:
Recognizing the amazing things happening in Devon
Love to research and write
Want Devon to win the National Competition in 2026
Interested in Hands-on-Work
Our Board meets monthly but we have numerous sub-committees with a specific focus. If you have an interest in learning more, please email us at cibdevonab@gmail.com.
Devon Communities in Bloom is pleased to offer a slideshow that organizations can use to instill pride in Devon residents and to share its many positive aspects with non-residents.
- The slideshow portrays the beauty of Devon as well as the facilities, attractions and activities that make it a supportive, healthy and enriching place to live. The slideshow was created with the intent that it could be played in the background at gatherings as a silent, visual attraction to catch the attention of attendees during breaks and as they socialize.
- The slideshow consists of 291 slides (several of which are artistic doubles used as transitions) that, after playing for 43 minutes, will automatically replay.
- To help us present a more holistic picture of Devon, we hope to update and improve the slideshow as we move forward. Users are welcome to customize the slideshow by deleting and adding slides. We ask that you share new ideas and photos with the Communities in Bloom committee.
- Lastly, we ask that users keep the first two slides (title slide, land acknowledgement) and the last slide (with photo credits).
The Devon Communities in Bloom committee acknowledges the financial and moral support that the Town of Devon provides to assist our efforts, including the development of this slideshow. The committee’s goal is to continually improve Devon’s environmental sustainability and health, its attractiveness, and its appreciation for our natural and cultural assets. We strive to encourage participation and collaboration among residents and local organizations to enhance our sense of community and pride.
We would like to thank all Devon residents who maintain attractive yards and adapt environment-friendly practices. The purpose of Communities in Bloom is to work with other groups and individuals to enhance the quality of life and the environment in Devon. This involves many aspects of a community including environmental action, tree management, landscape, community appearance, heritage conservation (natural and cultural), and floral and plant displays. These aspects are all considered by the judges who visit our town for the Communities in Bloom program. We will learn on October 18 how well Devon did this year—our first time competing at the national level.
And we’d like to give one more thank-you, this one to the Devon Dispatch for publishing articles for our Love Your Yard! and Community Spirit Lives Here! programs, as well as other information we want to share with residents of Devon and area. We are pleased to collaborate with and support our local newspaper.