Saskatchewan World Famous Bird Migration Area to be Protected by Nature Conservancy of Canada | The Canadian News

The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) in Saskatchewan is the new owner of a large section of endangered native grasslands.

The property contains 646 hectares (1,598 acres) of grassland and wetlands and is located along the east shore of Lake Chaplin, between Moose Jaw and Swift Current.

Temperate grasslands are one of the rarest and most at risk ecosystems in the world and are a critical part of Saskatchewan.

The property and the surrounding area are home to many plants and animals, including wildlife listed under Canada’s Endangered Species Act.

During spring and fall migrations, thousands of shorebirds use Lake Chaplin and the surrounding grasslands to stop and refuel or nest. Lake Chaplin is known for its extraordinary bird watching opportunities.

More than half of the world’s population of sanderlings stops to rest and feed there during their spring migration.

“What if we didn’t intervene to preserve this property forever?” said NCC director of media relations Andrew Holland. “Who knows? But if it is lost for other purposes, that means thousands of birds could be displaced, as well as different endangered species in this country.”

In the past 25 years, Saskatchewan has lost more than 809,000 hectares (two million acres) of native grasslands and now less than 20 percent remain intact.

The government of Canada was a major contributor to the purchase of this land through its Natural Heritage Conservation Program, part of the Canada Nature Fund.

“By working with partners like the Nature Conservancy of Canada, we are protecting Saskatchewan’s natural environment and building a healthier and more resilient future for our children and grandchildren,” said Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change.

The conservation site has been named in recognition of the Mackie family, who own the ranch that contains the land, and will continue to be used for cattle grazing to help keep grasslands healthy and support the local economy.