The Nature Conservancy of Canada has announced another site of preserved land in southern Alberta.
The grasslands site along the Oldman River is set to be protected forever thanks to a land donation from Diane Glover. The 507-hectare property in Lethbridge County has been in Glover’s family for three generations.
The site is one of the largest remaining contiguous tracts of intact Prairie grasslands in the area, according to the NCC. Officials note that native grasslands filter water, store carbon, and offer a vital habitat for wildlife. The NCC says every hour, another seven hectares of Prairie grassland is lost, which shows the importance of conserving this type of property.
With less than 20 per cent of the country’s original Prairie grasslands left, species that rely on these landscapes are disappearing. The NCC says that stats from the 2024 State of Canada’s Birds Report show that grassland bird populations have dropped by 67 per cent since 1970. That is the biggest drop of any bird group in Canada.
Some of the at-risk species protected through Glover’s gift include the American badger, the common nighthawk, the ferruginous hawk, the long-billed curlew, the northern leopard frog, and the prairie rattlesnake.
RIVERFRONT HABITATS
The NCC notes the property along the Oldman River is also home to significant riverfront habitats, such as cottonwood forests. Officials say these act as natural sponges, filter runoff and stabilize streambanks, which helps improve water quality. The water serves as habitat for wildlife, from fish and amphibians to birds and large mammals.
The NCC says 60 per cent of riparian areas in the Oldman watershed are privately owned, but less than eight per cent of that has been conserved.
GRAZING
The property benefits cattle grazing. The NCC notes that historically, bison shaped grasslands and today, well-managed cattle grazing helps create the vast habitat utilized by different plant and animal species. Because grazing will continue on the preserved property, the NCC notes public access will not be allowed.
SPECIAL MEANING
Glover says the donation honours the memory of her parents, siblings, and grandparents.
“These unique lands existed long before we did, and we were taught that our ownership of it is an honour and is temporary. We consider ourselves caretakers of the property during our time here,” Glover remarks.
“Everybody who has become familiar with the property looks at it the same way we do: it’s special, unique and worth preserving, which is why I chose to entrust it with the Nature Conservancy of Canada.”
The project was also made possible thanks to the federal government and the Natural Heritage Conservation Program. Support was provided by partners like Cenovus Energy and the federal government’s Ecological Gifts Program.
“This project is about more than one piece of land. It represents the dedication of landowners like Diane Glover and a growing movement to conserve some of the last remaining Prairie grasslands before they are lost forever,” says Tom Lynch-Staunton, regional vice president of the NCC.
“Thanks to this donation, this landscape, and all the species that depend on it will be conserved for generations to come.”
The project is part of the NCC’s Prairie Grasslands Action Plan, which is a $500 million initiative to conserve 500,000 hectares of Prairie grasslands by the year 2030.
