One of Pheasant Forever’s main 2023 focuses in 2023 will be Manyberries

Pictures of the Manyberries Creek Site. Photos by Tyler Johns from the Alberta Conservation Association.

By Anna Smith

Commentator/Courier

A grand total of 1440 acres of rolling prairie is making its way to becoming conserved habitat, thanks to a recent expansion of the Alberta Conservation Association (ACA) and Pheasants Forever Chinook Chapter’s Manyberries Creek site.

Presently, the site is 160 acres, but will be expanding through the purchase of several connected quarters by the end of 2023.

Chinook Pheasants Forever partnered with ACA on the purchase of the original quarter in March of 2021 and work on the acquisition of the eight-quarter expansion started in the summer of 2022, said Leonard Hanson, Habitat Chair for Chinook Pheasants Forever.

Chinook Pheasants Forever has been partnering with ACA on securing habitat since 2008 and has contributed over a half a million dollars to help purchase eight Conservation Sites totaling over 7800 acres.

“The Manyberries Creek Conservation Site is a mixed farming property that is situated in the critical sage grouse habitat area of Southeastern Alberta,” said Hanson. “It is also home to a multitude of species, some threatened, that rely on the short grass prairie for their survival. It is a very valuable addition to ACA’s list of Conservation Sites secured and protected in the short grass prairie ecosystem.”

The site is home to vital riparian and coulee habitat, said Hanson, and will allow for public foot access, to let visitors and residents enjoy recreational activities in a natural and protected space without it causing damage to the native ecosystem. 

This, alongside the Silver Sage Site to the south of Manyberries, gives locals two large natural spaces  to hunt on, to hike or for nature photography.

“What makes this site so special is its importance to threatened and endangered wildlife and plant species. The size of the project and its connectivity to existing native prairie will provide wildlife with a large and secure area to live and thrive,” said Hanson.

“Greater sage grouse, sharp-tailed grouse, pheasants and grey partridge are upland species that will benefit along with smaller ground nesting birds like meadowlarks, chestnut collared longspurs and Sprague’s pipits,” said Hanson. “Large mammals like Mule deer and Whitetail deer will continue to utilize the property but smaller ones like the swift fox will benefit as the landscape reverts back to its more native vegetative state.”

ACA, with input from MULTISAR and the project partners, Pheasants Forever Chinook, Pheasants Forever Calgary and the The Alberta Fish & Game Association, will develop a five-year management plan and determine best practices for this project and categorize things that need to be improved, said Hanson. 

“Livestock will still graze the grasslands, as that is necessary for the health of the land, and, over time the crop land will be reseeded to native vegetation,” said Hanson. “Wildlife friendly fencing will be installed as that has been found to be of great benefit to deer and especially for antelope as it allows them a safer passage in their travels to and from different feeding areas.”

The exact cost of the final purchase of the land isn’t known to Pheasants Forever Chinook, said Hanson, due to the appraisal being done through a third party market researcher.

“We are just asked to contribute what we can afford to help secure these properties….and we are usually pleased to help,” said Hanson.

One of Pheasant Forever’s main 2023 focuses in 2023 will be Manyberries

By Anna Smith

Commentator/Courier

A grand total of 1440 acres of rolling prairie is making its way to becoming conserved habitat, thanks to a recent expansion of the Alberta Conservation Association (ACA) and Pheasants Forever Chinook Chapter’s Manyberries Creek site.

Presently, the site is 160 acres, but will be expanding through the purchase of several connected quarters by the end of 2023.

Chinook Pheasants Forever partnered with ACA on the purchase of the original quarter in March of 2021 and work on the acquisition of the eight-quarter expansion started in the summer of 2022, said Leonard Hanson, Habitat Chair for Chinook Pheasants Forever.

Chinook Pheasants Forever has been partnering with ACA on securing habitat since 2008 and has contributed over a half a million dollars to help purchase eight Conservation Sites totaling over 7800 acres.

“The Manyberries Creek Conservation Site is a mixed farming property that is situated in the critical sage grouse habitat area of Southeastern Alberta,” said Hanson. “It is also home to a multitude of species, some threatened, that rely on the short grass prairie for their survival. It is a very valuable addition to ACA’s list of Conservation Sites secured and protected in the short grass prairie ecosystem.”

The site is home to vital riparian and coulee habitat, said Hanson, and will allow for public foot access, to let visitors and residents enjoy recreational activities in a natural and protected space without it causing damage to the native ecosystem. 

This, alongside the Silver Sage Site to the south of Manyberries, gives locals two large natural spaces  to hunt on, to hike or for nature photography.

“What makes this site so special is its importance to threatened and endangered wildlife and plant species. The size of the project and its connectivity to existing native prairie will provide wildlife with a large and secure area to live and thrive,” said Hanson.

“Greater sage grouse, sharp-tailed grouse, pheasants and grey partridge are upland species that will benefit along with smaller ground nesting birds like meadowlarks, chestnut collared longspurs and Sprague’s pipits,” said Hanson. “Large mammals like Mule deer and Whitetail deer will continue to utilize the property but smaller ones like the swift fox will benefit as the landscape reverts back to its more native vegetative state.”

ACA, with input from MULTISAR and the project partners, Pheasants Forever Chinook, Pheasants Forever Calgary and the The Alberta Fish & Game Association, will develop a five-year management plan and determine best practices for this project and categorize things that need to be improved, said Hanson. 

“Livestock will still graze the grasslands, as that is necessary for the health of the land, and, over time the crop land will be reseeded to native vegetation,” said Hanson. “Wildlife friendly fencing will be installed as that has been found to be of great benefit to deer and especially for antelope as it allows them a safer passage in their travels to and from different feeding areas.”

The exact cost of the final purchase of the land isn’t known to Pheasants Forever Chinook, said Hanson, due to the appraisal being done through a third party market researcher.

“We are just asked to contribute what we can afford to help secure these properties….and we are usually pleased to help,” said Hanson.

Get More Bow Island Commentator →