The Clover Bar Landfill, located in northeast Edmonton, is situated along the North Saskatchewan River. The site was opened to receive solid waste in the 1970's. The first phases were closed and capped in the early 1980's. In keeping with standards of the day, the area was covered with a shallow layer of topsoil, a mixture of agronomic grasses, and a few ornamental trees for beautification. The result was visually unappealing and ecologically unstable. The site required large inputs of resources for maintenance.
A revised, long-term revegetation plan for the Clover Bar Landfi11 Site was developed by Landscape Architect, Don Barron, in collaboration with Agrologist, Nolan Turner. A comprehensive site evaluation highlighted the need for mitigation of several site conditions that could discourage or limit plant growth and development. These included: toxic substrata materials, an impenetrable clay cap, shallow topsails, soil component deficiencies and/or excesses, poor moisture conditions due to slope design and persistent high winds, and an extensive agricultural weed problem from on-site and from numerous adjacent sites. The reclamation plan outlined a series of unique methods to mitigate these conditions. This site was also recognized as a major movement corridor and safe refuge (from man and his activities) for wildlife from nearby natural areas.