One of the largest patches of native grasslands left in the province has been turned into a protected reserve and is being touted as Ducks Unlimited Canada's flagship conservation area.
Announced today during DUC's annual meeting in Calgary, the Bullshead Conservation Area near Cypress Hills will see multiple wetlands areas restored across the 900-hectare site.
Perry McCormick, DUC's manager of provincial operations, said the conservation group was approached by the property's owner, the Howe Family, to see if the group would consider purchasing the land.
"It's 22 quarters on the northwest corner of Cypress Hills," said McCormick.
"This is really important to us as it's one of our priority landscapes."
With the majority of the land containing native prairie, the reserve will be one of the largest of its kind on the continent.
"What is special about Bullshead is that it's perfect for northern pintail breeding," said McCormick.
"It's a species of concern and this is as nice as a piece of property as there is in North America to raise and fledge pintails."
McCormick added that this property represents another piece of the puzzle in establishing southeastern Alberta as a wildlife and conservation destination spot.
The ranch aspect of the property is expected to continue but there won't be industrial development on the conservation group's newest protected area.
"What our job will be is to repair the drained wetland and the only work we'll do is put in drain plugs in the ditches so we can replicate nature and how it operated there," said McCormick.
Contributing to the purchase of the land was Environment Canada which granted DUC $1 million toward the cost of the land.
Kudos to the feds as well for helping this purchase happen.
Jeez, more land that could be converted to potatoes lost forever to conservation.
Only kidding, this is great news. Good to see the Feds and private conservation dollars working together. Would be nice to see the Province step up in the south for conservation.
Jeez, more land that could be converted to potatoes lost forever to conservation.
Only kidding, this is great news. Good to see the Feds and private conservation dollars working together. Would be nice to see the Province step up in the south for conservation.
"Jeez, more land that could be converted to potatoes lost forever to conservation."
900-Hectare Bullshead Conservation Area Purchased By DUC
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