​The TD Outdoor Learning Centre was designed with a long-term vision to blend natural materials in an architectural format with a heavy emphasis on structure to provide the framework of a three-season learning facility. “The outdoor school will set the foundation for hundreds of Calgary children to foster an appreciation of nature in our urban environment, and will lend to healthier attitudes towards nature among generations to come” - Mayor Nenshi.

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Every great structure has to compliment the landscape, where each landscape shall hint to some order. The bird sanctuary was compromised during the flooding of 2013, along with some industry that had contaminated the site in its historical past. The soils were remediated, contaminants were stripped, and native plants and trees were reintroduced once the soils were repaired. Part of the learning component for the landscape was to promote the local poplar trees to germinate. This was made possible by simply planting branches from the existing site trees into dug holes and allowing them to germinate and root. These plantings are under continued observation. They complete the learning centre’s mission as a beacon for natural landscape and urban-built environment to coexist in harmony.