NEEPAWA, Man. — An initiative in southwestern Manitoba is ensuring that 230 acres of native mixed-grass prairie that have never been broken remain that way.
The Rural Municipality of Edward is working with the Nature Conservancy of Canada to protect the land through the Conservation Agreement program.
Reeve Ralph Wang said the project shows that conserving natural spaces and maintaining agricultural practices can successfully co-exist.
“This is natural prairie that has never been broken,” said Wang. “It is pastured now and that is what it is best suited for.”
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He said grazing will continue as part of the agreement reached with the nature conservancy.
Josh Dillabough, a securement representative with the conservancy, said the land is valuable wildlife habitat.
“Undisturbed native prairie is home to many species including several that are on the verge of extinction,” he said.
“NCC is focusing efforts on this area known as the West Souris Mixed Grass Prairie Natural Area as it supports one of the province’s last habitat strongholds for grassland birds such as the burrowing owl, Baird’s sparrow, Sprague’s pipit, loggerhead shrike and ferruginous hawk.”
Wang said he has watched the native prairie gradually disappear in the more than 65 years he has lived in the area.
He hopes other landowners will take notice and consider protecting their native grasslands, which would help prevent further decline of habitat and the wildlife it supports.
Audrey Bird, the RM’s chief administrative officer, said the land is a unique and valuable piece of property.
“We felt it was a good idea to protect it because it has some unique plant life, as well as birds and animals.”
Added Dillabough: “NCC is excited to be working with the RM of Edward to protect its native grasslands and to help promote local tourism with the Watchable Wildlife’s Grasslands Birding Trail.”
Bird watching is important in the RM, which describes itself as a bird watcher’s paradise.
According to the RM’s website, the area is widely known for its vast assortment of east and west birds.
Under conservation agreements, landowners continue to hold title to their land but voluntarily agree to limit the amount and type of development that can take place. They are filed on the title to the land and apply to all future owners.
