Asquith North

Conservation Volunteer, Asquith, Saskatchewan (Photo by NCC)

The Asquith North property, part of the Moist Mixed Grassland Ecoregion of Saskatchewan and covering 240 acres (97 hectares), was secured by the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) in 2009.

Rough fescue, quaking aspen and northern snowberry dominate the gently rolling terrain, familiar to local ranchers and their cattle and home to various mammals and grassland birds. Species at risk like loggerhead shrike, burrowing owl and tufted milk-vetch frequent the area, known as the Moist Mixed Grassland Ecoregion.

Ecological significance

The Asquith North property is located west of the City of Saskatoon, eight kilometres north of the town of Asquith. The property consists of 240 acres (97 hectares) of native grasslands and woodlands interspersed with a few small seasonal wetlands. The native grassland is dominated by plains rough fescue along with trembling aspen and northern snowberry. The land is gently rolling and features stabilized sand dune complexes.

This property adds to the adjacent 640 acres (260 hectares) of Crown lands and will act as the catalyst to conserving other potential conservation properties in the vicinity. The diverse grassland and woodland habitats on the property provide habitat for a variety of mammals and grassland birds. Sprague’s pipit, an endangered grassland bird, has been observed on the property.

Stewardship objectives

The Asquith North property will be stewarded to enhance and maintain its ecological values. In 2010, two Conservation Volunteers events will be held on the property. Volunteers at the first event will document flora and fauna on the propertyand conduct a rare plant survey. Volunteers who join the second event will conduct a site cleanup and work on maintaining its fences. The plan is to graze the property in 2011, working with a local livestock producer. Public access to the property is by foot access only.