NCC's 2017 fall magazine

BOOTS ON
THE TRAIL
Wild connections
Just a short drive from Regina, the Fairy Hill South Complex is
a jewel of a property that connects conservation and community
Deer at Fairy Hill
The Fairy Hill South Complex in
Saskatchewan is not just about
the future of wild spaces and
wildlife species, it's also about partnerships
and people.
The Nature Conservancy of Canada’s
(NCC’s) conservation work here means that
this area will be managed in its natural state.
Located just a 30-minute drive north of
Regina on Highway 6, this scenic expanse
of 1,642 acres (665 hectares) of native grasslands,
woodlands, river and floodplains serves
as habitat for aquatic and terrestrial species
and a haven for visitors wishing to enjoy the
area. Fairy Hill is protected for the long term
through NCC’s purchase of the property from
its conservation-minded landowner, Dorothy
Schuurmans, and a generous donation from
Lloyd and Janet Sauer.
Visitors to the property may spot at risk
species, such as loggerhead shrike, northern
leopard frog (prairie population) and Sprague’s
pipit. This area is also well used as a staging site
for ducks and geese and serves as a stopover
for many and varied shorebird species.
A PLACE OF CONNECTION
In addition to its importance as a natural
area, Fairy Hill is a place of connection with
the local community. This summer, local
residents and Conservation Volunteers from
elsewhere in Saskatchewan joined NCC staff
to help remove invasive common burdock and
pull down old fencing.
Given its proximity to Regina, the property
is often used as a place to take school groups
on field trips. School children have come out
here to learn about conservation. They have
also helped NCC staff remove invasive
common burdock from the property.
And thanks to a grazing lease, NCC’s
property is available to a local rancher to
graze his cattle. In return, the cattle help
maintain the health of grasslands on the
property through their grazing.
DANIEL GRUNERT.
6 FALL 2017 natureconservancy.ca