The Nature Conservancy of Canada will conserve the McIntyre Ranch. Photo by Leta Pezderic.
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) recently announced the completion of its fund-raising campaign to conserve McIntyre Ranch.
The project, located on the Milk River Ridge about 40 miles south of Lethbridge, is a testament to the power of collaboration and community engagement in conserving one of the planet’s most endangered ecosystems, Canada’s Prairie grasslands.
Conservation easements are legal mechanisms that protect the natural value of land through a voluntary agreement restricting land use change in perpetuity.
“The successful completion of the McIntyre Ranch campaign underscores the power of collaboration and community engag’ment in conserving Canada’s Prairie grasslands,” said Tom Lynch-Staunton, regional vice-president of the Nature Conservancy of Canada.
“We hope this significant milestone is just one of many future achievements in our efforts to safeguard one of our planet’s most endangered ecosystems.”
McIntyre Ranch, a historic and internationally renowned property spanning more than 22,000 hectares, features extensive grasslands and wetlands.
Its large size, diverse landforms, remarkable biodiversity and history of sustainable land management make this achievement a significant conservation milestone.
This property, alongside the adjacent Ross Lake Natural Area and NCC’s Sandstone Ranch, forms part of a contiguous area of conserved grasslands covering over 26,000 hectares — an invaluable sanctuary for many imperilled grassland species.
Conservation significance and achievements:
• Legacy of stewardship
McIntyre Ranch represents more than a century-long commitment to sustainable range management by multiple generations of landowners, including the Thralls, who remain owners and operators of the ranch.
• Partnership for conservation
This achievement is the result of a strategic partnership between the Thralls, NCC and Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC), demonstrating how collaboration leads to impactful conservation outcomes.
• Ecological importance
McIntyre Ranch contains some of Canada’s most significant uninterrupted blocks of rough fescue grasslands and more than 1,000 hectares of wetlands.
These crucial habitats are home to an abundance of wildlife and support under-recognized ecosystem services, including carbon storage and water filtration.
• Biodiversity and habitat
The property is home to over 150 species of birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles and fish.
Recent wildlife surveys have revealed 27 species of concern living there, including ferruginous hawk (threatened), chestnut-collared longspur (threatened) and American badger (special concern).
The conservation achievement was made possible by the dedication and visionary stewardship of the Thrall family.
Their commitment and willingness to partner with NCC and DUC showcases a profound understanding of the importance of conserving Prairie grasslands for future generations.
What’s next for McIntyre Ranch?
The creation of the McIntyre Ranch conservation agreement and securing its funding is just the first chapter of this project.
NCC, DUC and McIntyre Ranching Ltd. will work in partnership to ensure the incredible nature on the ranch lasts for generations, carrying on the legacy of both the McIntyres, the original owners of the ranch, and the Thralls.
The property will continue to be sustainably grazed by cattle under the management of McIntyre Ranching Co. Ltd.
Cattle are important to grassland health. When properly managed, their grazing behaviour approximates the historic actions of bison.
Many species need shorter grass to survive, while others need longer grass. This disturbance, along with fire, helps maintain grassland health and creates diverse habitats for many plants and animals.
