NCC Magazine - Spring 2017

NCC and the Frolek family have worked
together for close to a decade to protect
this grassland habitat near Kamloops, B.C.
2
Conservation-minded ranchers
KAMLOOPS, BRITISH COLUMBIA
Each summer, Barb Pryce and Ray Frolek head out into the grasslands near Kamloops,
British Columbia, to check up on NCC’s conservation projects there. NCC and the Frolek
Cattle Company have been collaborating on grassland conservation since 2008, when the
B.C.
two joined forces to conserve 7,828 acres (3,168 hectares) of this rare and ecologically
significant habitat.
“As a third-generation rancher, Ray sees how the land has changed over time,” says Pryce.
“His understanding of past conditions adds important context to what we are seeing now.”
Ranchers own a lot of private land in B.C.’s rare grassland valleys. Partnering with
conservation-minded ranchers is essential to conserving this important habitat.
“Our relationships with ranchers enable truly amazing conservation in Canada’s grasslands,” says Pryce.
“We couldn’t do this work without them!”
Partner
Spotlight
In 2014, Imperial pledged
$1 million over four years to the
Nature Conservancy of Canada
(NCC) in support of the National
Conservation Interns Program.
The work of NCC’s conservation
interns is diverse, ranging from
forest and grassland restoration,
to species inventories, trail maintenance
and access. Interns can
also participate in mapping with
geographic information systems,
data management, monitoring
and relationship building with
neighbours, stakeholders and
communities.
FROLEK FAMILY AND NCC STAFF: TESSA BUCHAN. CONSERVATION INTERN: NCC.
3
Home on the range
TWIN BUTTE, ALBERTA
This past summer, NCC’s Alberta Region teamed up with a group of rangeland experts to
learn the tricks of the ranching trade. The Rancher’s Rangeland Management Workshop
was held at the Twin Butte Community Hall. The two-day workshop was attended by NCC
staff, and landowners and ranchers from the surrounding communities.
Presenters included government experts, academics, private consultants and the
landowners themselves. Participants discussed a wide range of topics, including principles
of range management, grazing strategies, weed control and prevention, ecological
services of grasslands and reducing wildlife-livestock conflicts.
4
A new lease on life
WIDEVIEW, SASKATCHEWAN
One of NCC’s newest properties in southwest Saskatchewan, Wideview, is now being grazed
by a local rancher’s cattle. NCC creates these types of lease agreements on about 90 per cent
of our properties in Saskatchewan, as a way of managing biodiversity while developing good
relationships with our neighbours.
Grazing by domestic cattle simulates the natural processes by which these grasslands
would have historically been influenced by wildfire and herds of bison. This grazing, in
turn, increases biodiversity and fertilizes the soil with manure. NCC monitors the grass to
ensure that grazing is maintaining and improving the health of the prairie ecosystem.1
ALTA.
SASK.
“NCC’s Conservation Interns
Program provides outstanding
experiences for university and
college students in areas such as
conservation science, land management
and wildlife research,”
says Erica Thompson, NCC’s
senior director for national
conservation engagement
and development.
Imperial is an integrated energy
company committed to developing
our nation’s resources responsibly.
Working with partners like NCC to
invest in tomorrow’s conservation
leaders delivers a valuable, longterm
contribution to Canada.
Kim Fox
Vice President of Public and
Government Affairs, Imperial
natureconservancy.ca
SPRING 2017 15