Ready, Set, Reclaim!

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.

Volunteers 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!

Once 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.

Contact Zoe Arnold: alberta@conservationvolunteers.ca