The Nature Conservancy of Canada secured 43 hectares of Belly River property adjacent to Waterton Lakes National Park.
The Nature Conservancy of Canada secured 43 hectares of Belly River property adjacent to Waterton Lakes National Park.
The Nature Conservancy of Canada secured 43 hectares of Belly River property to expand its network of conservation lands adjacent to Waterton Lakes National Park.
As the name suggests, the Belly River property is adjacent to 800 metres of the Belly River, which provides habitat for the birds, amphibians and fish that inhabit these water systems.
“This ranch . . . adds to a significant conservation network of protected lands that has been built up over decades,” said Tom Lynch-Staunton, regional vice-president of the Nature Conservancy of Canada. “This project is an example of how working landscapes and conservation go hand in hand.”
The property contains important habitats that extend beyond the boundaries of the already protected national park.
Located in an area referred to as the Crown of the Continent, this region provides core habitat and connectivity for populations of wide-ranging mammals, including wolf, cougar, wolverine, Canada lynx and their prey.
It also supports habitat for grizzly bears, which are designated as a species of special concern under Canada’s Species at Risk Act.
These species rely on the wide, undeveloped areas of wild habitat in Alberta’s foothills, which has been kept intact thanks to the ranching community.
Native grasslands are home to 85 per cent of Alberta’s species at risk, and any alteration to this habitat will have a direct impact on habitat for wildlife.
Two-thirds of the Belly River property is native grasslands.
The Belly River property fits into NCC’s existing network of conservation lands adjacent to Waterton Lakes National Park.
This property borders existing NCC-owned lands to the west and south and is close to numerous other conservation projects.
Each working ranch conserved in this region benefits the ranching community, native wildlife and Alberta’s headwaters.
Grazing animals that are managed appropriately are an important tool in maintaining healthy, functioning grassland ecosystems.
A grazing strategy designed for the species present will increase biodiversity and the resiliency of the grasslands to drought, fire and other disturbances.
A healthy system will cycle nutrients, energy and water with the greatest efficiency, and invasive species will have a more difficult time getting established when things are functioning properly.
A healthy, functioning system will also provide quality habitat for many species of wildlife.
Public access on this property has not yet been determined. People wishing to visit conservation lands in this area can visit connect2nature.ca to find sites open to foot access.
