REGINA — There are new reasons to celebrate World Wildlife Day in Saskatchewan.
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) and a local landowner have formalized a new conservation agreement, securing 426 hectares of grassland habitat near Rockglen.
The Burning Hills property strengthens a vital wildlife corridor, crucial for genetic diversity and seasonal migration, according to the NCC.
The NCC says native grasslands are essential for the long-term survival of grassland wildlife, and for human communities. They mitigate floods and droughts while serving as carbon sinks, storing billions of tonnes of carbon. Safeguarding this land is more than just conserving nature; it provides an impactful foundation for both human and ecological resilience in the future, says the NCC.
The property features a mosaic of native and tame grass, along with forested coulees and riparian areas. Many rare species listed under Canada’s Species at Risk Act have been documented in the region, including burrowing owl (endangered), greater sage-grouse (endangered), swift fox (threatened) and northern leopard frog (special concern). Notably, the discovery of soapweed yucca (threatened) along a roadway near the property highlights the importance of the region, as it is the only known location of this rare plant in Saskatchewan.
“This collaboration not only safeguards rare species and supports biodiversity but also reinforces the role of grasslands in storing carbon and protecting communities from floods and droughts. Together with our partners and landowners, we are building a legacy of conservation that will benefit both nature and all Canadians,”says Michael Burak, program director of Southwest Saskatchewan for the Nature Conservancy of Canada
The naming of the project pays tribute to a local legend rooted in Indigenous history. After the Battle of Little Bighorn, members of the Lakota Sioux fled Montana and sought refuge in these hills, setting campfires that lit up the night sky. From a distance, the glowing ridge gave the illusion that the hills were on fire, earning the hills their name, Burning Hills, and marking the region with lasting historical and cultural significance.
This acquisition was made possible thanks to the landowner, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the Weston Family Foundation and the Government of Canada. The Burning Hills project also exemplifies a dedicated commitment to safeguarding grasslands under NCC’s Prairie Grasslands Action Plan, a comprehensive strategy to conserve more than 500,000 hectares of endangered habitat by 2030.
