Land near Waterton to be protected by Nature Conservancy

The NCC noted that The Yarrow’s wetlands hold vast amounts of water, helping to reduce the severity of drought and buffer the impact of flooding in the area and downstream. Additionally, the wetlands store carbon, filter nutrients and prevent erosion.

Two important Eastern Slopes streams are on the property. They are Yarrow Creek and Drywood Creek. They provide fish habitat and transport water from Alberta’s southern headwaters to the Waterton Reservoir. This reservoir outflows into the Waterton River, a tributary of the Old Man River, which is part of the South Saskatchewan River Watershed that flows across the prairies to Lake Winnipeg, and eventually to Hudson’s Bay.

File photo taken at The Yarrow property. The Yarrow property is owned by the Fischer-Cuthbertson family and supports one of the highest number of species recorded at a potential Nature Conservancy of Canada conservation site in Alberta. (Photo: Sean Feagan, Nature Conservancy of Canada)

The Yarrow property is owned by the Fischer-Cuthbertson family and supports one of the highest number of species recorded at a potential NCC conservation site in Alberta. This includes 27 wildlife species of provincial or national significance, like grizzly bears, bobolink, and little brown bat.

Regional vice-president of the NCC, Tom Lynch-Staunton said, “We are extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to conserve this precious landscape, and work with the Fischer family to fulfill their vision to keep its stunning beauty and habitat intact.”

The Charlie Fischer family stated, “Charlie purchased this land on his retirement and never stopped being awed by what a beautiful piece of Alberta it is. He took great interest in sustainable grazing and ensuring that this ranch was thoughtfully managed for nature to thrive there.”

Charlie Fischer was a well-known Alberta philanthropist and the former president and CEO of Calgary-based oil and gas company Nexen, which is now called CNOOC Petroleum North America ULC. Fischer retired in 2008 and was awarded the Order of Canada in 2018 and the Alberta Order of Excellence shortly before he passed away in June 2020 at the age of 70.

The family’s statement added, “Knowing how special Charlie felt this location was, it is meaningful to our family to see our ranch being conserved by the NCC in a way that sustains the land’s natural beauty as well as its ranching history. It has been our sincere pleasure to work with NCC to conserve this truly special place forever. We look forward to revisiting the breathtaking views, magnificent wildlife, and the winding creek with the grandchildren, sharing memories of their Grandpa Charlie and tales of the adventures we enjoyed here together.”

The NCC said by conserving The Yarrow, it is building on decades of collaboration with landowners, partners and donors in the region, through which over 100 square kilometres of natural landscapes and biodiversity will stay intact.

This latest NCC project has been initiated with funding from the federal government, through the Natural Heritage Conservation Program, part of Canada’s Nature Fund, and the Government of Alberta’s Land Trust Grant Program. The project was also funded in part by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, through the North American Wetlands Conservation Act.

On Tuesday, the NCC reported that Cenovus Energy Inc. has donated US $3 million to the organization, with portions of that gift going toward The Yarrow conservation project.

Lynch-Staunton said, “These extremely important projects would not be possible without the generosity of donors, support from our provincial and federal governments, and of course, the landowners who share our conservation values and vision.”

Those interested in helping to conserve the land can find out how to contribute to the cause through The Yarrow website set up by the NCC.

by Justin Goulet/LethbridgeNewsNOW

Land near Waterton to be protected by Nature Conservancy

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