Stepped up protection for vital wetlands near Stettler

The Nature Conservancy of Canada has purchased 158 acres of vital wetlands north of Stettler to help support an environmentally significant area of Alberta.

Officials with the not-for-profit organization say the land east of Buffalo Lake is an important property for breeding waterfowl, shorebirds and other wildlife. It contains grassland, aspen forest and birch and spruce trees more than 100 years old. Within the Red Deer River Natural Area, it is home to 70-80 breeding duck pairs per square mile, mule deer, coyote, moose and red-tailed hawk.

NCC acquired the land from Habitat Biologist Bob Thomson who owned and looked after it for the past 20 years. Prior to that, the land was cared for by Harry Green who held that responsibility for nearly a century.

The purchase was made possible through a partnership with the Government of Canada, the local business community and other stakeholder groups.