Cransley, Last Mountain Lake - Four Seasons

The Nature Conservancy of Canada acquires nationally significant wildlife habitat in the Qu'Appelle Valley

Big Valley Property in the Qu'Appelle Valley
Natural lands are vital to Canada’s ecological integrity, to clean air and water and to sustaining our country’s wildlife. Conserving these areas contributes to the health and well-being of all Canadians. In Saskatchewan, the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) works with private landowners to conserve ecologically significant landscapes throughout the province. To date, partnerships with landowners have led to the conservation of 155 properties and more than 100,000 acres (40,469 hectares) of ecologically significant land in Saskatchewan, and it is these partnerships that are responsible for the bulk of NCC’s conservation success.

On February 29, 2008, the Saskatchewan Region of NCC announced another successful conservation project: The Big Valley property acquisition. As always, partnerships were instrumental in making conservation of this property a reality. With the support of the federal and provincial governments and private sector donors, NCC was able to secure 336 acres (136 hectares) of nationally and provincially rare habitat in the Qu’Appelle Valley. Several nationally and provincially listed Species at Risk can be found on the site or in the immediate area, including the Northern Leopard Frog, Bigmouth Buffalo fish, Burrowing Owl and Sprague’s Pipit. The Valeport Wildlife Management Unit, which is adjacent to the property, is a critical stopover site for migratory birds.

NCC is grateful to our government partners for their significant investment in the natural heritage of the Qu’Appelle Valley and of Saskatchewan. Funding for the Big Valley acquisition was provided by the Government of Canada’s Natural Areas Conservation Program (announced in March of 2007) as well as Saskatchewan Environment’s Fish & Wildlife Development Fund. The Big Valley property truly is an inspiring, multi-level partnership effort to conserve biodiversity that we can all be proud of. NCC thanks everyone involved for their dedication and support.
Summary of news release from The Nature Conservancy of Canada website.