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The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is celebrating the acquisition of a 1,596-acre property in the Cypress Hills area, which will become a conservation area for the preservation of natural plants and wildlife.
The NCC, Canada’s largest environmental charity, said the Upper Bone Creek property, which features native grasslands, creek systems and hardwood forests, will provide “a much-needed boost for local plants and animals.”
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The property was acquired thanks to “a remarkable collaboration” with the previous landowner, the NCC explained, along with help from partners including Cenovus Energy and the governments of Canada and Saskatchewan.
“In a generous and unexpected gesture, the landowner strengthened the project’s impact by donating a part of their property’s value, providing momentum for future stewardship, and reflecting a shared commitment to conserving endangered native grasslands,” the conservancy explained in a statement.
Michael Burak, the NCC’s acting director of conservation for Saskatchewan, said the charity will continue to work with local ranchers to use grazing to sustain the natural grasslands. (Michael Burak/Submitted)
The charity said the land supports a wide variety of animals, including moose, mule deer, white-tailed deer, coyotes, cougars and elk, along with birds like red-tailed hawks, mountain bluebirds and bank swallows. The land also supports at-risk bird species like the Sprague’s pipit, Baird’s sparrow and bobolink.
The new area will also preserve native grasslands, which the NCC said is a vital step in preserving the health of communities, ecosystems and Saskatchewan’s climate.
“The deep-rooted plants filter water, lessen the risk of floods and droughts, and help store billions of tonnes of carbon underground, making them powerful allies in the fight against climate change,” the organization explained in a statement.
“For generations, native grasslands have fed families, supported livelihoods and anchored Saskatchewan’s economy. Conserving them means securing clean water, robust ranches and flourishing wildlife for decades to come.”
Michael Burak, the NCC’s acting director of conservation for Saskatchewan, said the charity will continue to work with local ranchers to use grazing to sustain the natural grasslands.
“Grazing helps keep the land diverse, supports a variety of plants and animals, and keeps invasive species and shrubs in check,” Burak said in a statement.
“This partnership benefits both the land and the community, keeping the grasslands sustainable for future generations.”
The NCC said the new conservation area expands on other nearby conservation sites in the eastern Cypress Hills, which already total nearly 1,000 acres. The new acquisition also pushes the organization closer to its goal of conserving more than 500,000 hectares of grassland by 2030 — an area six times the size of Calgary.
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