Ready, Set, Reclaim!
Event Details
July 7th, 2017, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Fleming Ranch (Coleman), Alberta
Habitat Restoration
The Fleming Ranch property is situated in a wildlife movement corridor and is frequented by ungulates, such as elk, deer, and moose who stop to feed on the undeveloped grasslands. The biggest threat to the health of these grasslands is the spread of invasive species, particularly creeping over from a reclaimed gravel pit on the property.
If you’d like to carpool to the event, please click here, https://www.groupcarpool.com/t/yrkjfa to add your car or join a ride going to the event. Let’s do our part and reduce our footprint! Happy carpooling.
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More Information
Fleming Ranch can be found just west of Coleman, nestled in the Crowsnest Pass. The area serves as an important wildlife corridor for large mammals such as elk, moose, cougar, wolf, and grizzly bear. In 2000, the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) teamed up with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) to purchase this 118 hectare (292 ac.) property from the Jarvie family. Two years later, NCC purchased the property from RMEF in full. Since then, restoration activities have taken place to improve winter habitat for elk, through prescribed burns to regenerate vegetation and the removal of fences to encourage migration.
What you will be doingVolunteers will work together as a group to rid the reclaimed gravel pit from invasive species, such as knapweed, blueweed, and mullen. This gravel pit sits next to remnant native grassland with foothills rough fescue and Idaho fescue native wheatgrasses and forbe species. By returning this space back to native species, we are ensuring an ecosystem better adapted to local conditions. While native plants may take more time to establish, they will steadily improve the habitat and provide better forage for ungulates who frequently use this land as a movement corridor!
Why you will love itOnce the pulling is complete, volunteers will have the opportunity to explore this property and head down to the Crowsnest River. In addition, this event is part of the SW Alberta weed pull circuit. Volunteers who attend multiple events on the circuit will have the chance to win various prizes, such as a free 2018 parks pass! Stay tuned for more information.
Questions?Contact Zoe Arnold: alberta@conservationvolunteers.ca
Volunteers will meet at the Crowsnest Pass Visitor Information Centre, accessed off Highway 3, just west of Coleman.
All tools and equipment will be provided, along with drinks and snacks. Please bring a lunch with you. Additional information will be sent to you after you have registered for the event. Event will go rain or shine.
While we do our best to provide you with the tools you need to participate, please bring the following items if you have them:
- Close-toed footwear
- Long pants
- Layers of clothing (light sweater and jacket)
- Sun hat
- Rain gear
- 1 Litre of water in a reusable bottle
- Lunch
- Any necessary medications