Chinook Ranch, Alberta (Photo by NCC)
Habitat loss is the greatest threat to Canada's native plants and animals. Preventing the loss or degradation of significant habitat is the principal focus of the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC). We work across the province in the places where our conservation activities can have the biggest impact on protecting Alberta's native species and habitats.
By landscape
Grassland
Grasslands cover 14 percent of Alberta and are an extension of the Great Plains of the United States. Most of the region is flat to gently rolling hills with a few major hill systems and the distinctive badlands. This mild climate is home to more than half of Alberta's endangered species.
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Parkland
The Alberta Parklands arise as the grasslands transition into the northern boreal region. The gently rolling landscape covers 37,000 square kilometres, or 12 percent of Alberta's total area. Unfortunately, only five percent remains intact, as it has become the most densely populated area in Alberta. This area is one of the most lush landscapes in the province, and the plants, animals and habitat found here face increasing threats.
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Rocky Mountain Front
Unquestionably Alberta's most popular tourist destination, the Rocky Mountains are world-famous for their picturesque trails, thrilling ski slopes and staggering views. This enthusiasm for the astounding peaks has led to overdevelopment in some areas and could diminish the wilderness and biodiversity for future generations.
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By geographic region
Southwestern Alberta
NCC has focused a lot of its efforts on preserving the Waterton Park Front in southwestern Alberta. Creating a buffer zone for the Waterton National Park on the Eastern Slopes of the Rocky Mountain has been a long-time conservation priority. The Waterton Natural Area is an ecologically viable, inspiring working landscape where biodiversity is maintained and enhanced in collaboration with sustainable ranching.
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Southeastern Alberta
Southeastern Alberta is primarily grassland and supports a variety of species found nowhere else in Alberta. Prairie fauna unique to this region include swift fox, short-horned lizard, prairie rattlesnake and pronghorn.
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Calgary
The largely foothills region to the west of Calgary offers a transition parkland and the Rocky Mountains. This area is an inspiring example of conservation success where multiple land use activities coexist with conservation to maintain habitat for many species, including the grizzly bears that still roam on the eastern slopes of Alberta.
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Edmonton
Cooking Lake Moraine is the site of extensive boreal forest habitat. The area, located just southeast of Edmonton, serves as a critical source of surface and ground water recharge, supports a high diversity of rare species and globally significant concentrations of migratory birds, and plays a key role in connecting ecological communities.
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Red Deer
The natural areas around The Red Deer River continue to contain a high density of remnant native parkland, supporting strong populations of native species, including the endangered piping plover. Its highly productive wetlands, clean rivers and streams, and associated habitats are critical for globally significant concentrations of migratory birds. The area was selected for focused conservation because it contains the highest density of intact parkland in the central Alberta and features the Rumsey Ecological Reserve and Rumsey Natural Area.
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