The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) has announced it has nearly doubled the area of grasslands for its Mackie Ranch conservation project. 

The Mackie Ranch is located on the eastern shore for Chaplin Lake, the second largest saline lake in Canada. The NCC expanded its Mackie Ranch project by 640 hectares to 1,286 hectares. 

The area is only one of three in Canada that has been designated of its importance to shorebirds and the only area that is located inland. 

“It’s recognized internationally for its congregation of bird species, including species at risk like the Red Knot, the Long-Billed Curlew and the Chestnut Coloured Longspur, for all of which are known either for that site or the immediate surrounding area,” said NCC Saskatchewan Director of Conservation Eric Cleland. 

During this time of year, the Mackie Ranch and Chaplin Lake play an important role for migratory birds as many use the area as a rest stop for their long journey. 

“Essentially, the birds heading north for the breeding season stop at this lake and are resting, feeding and getting the energy they need to continue further north in the spring and then the reverse actually happens again in the fall. They stop and use the area for resting, recharging before their large migration to their wintering grounds,” Cleland said. 

But it isn’t just birds that call the area home. There are also other endangered and threatened animals and plants in the area. 

“We know we have the Swift Fox in the area. We have the Pronghorn Antelope that uses the surrounding area. It’s a really unique area for a number of vascular plants that are only found locally, like the Short Stalk Mouse Ear Chickweed, Six-Weeks Fescue and even some flowers like the Small Lupine are found in this area that are hard to find much further abroad,” Cleland added. 

The Mackie Ranch conservation project is named after the Mackie family that had been ranching some of that land for generations and had been working with the NCC. The NCC says the land will continue to be used for cattle grazing as well to support the local economy and maintain the health of the grasslands. 

Below is a video from the NCC showcasing the Mackie Ranch conservation project.