Preserving the Prairie: Signing of First Term Conservation Easement to Protect Native Grasslands
Preserving the Prairie: Signing of First Term Conservation Easement to Protect Native Grasslands
Preserving the Prairie: Signing of First Term Conservation Easement to Protect Native Grasslands
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JUNE 6, 2025
The Saskatchewan Stock Growers Foundation (SSGF) is proud to announce the official signing of their first Term Conservation Easement, marking a significant milestone in the advancement of grassland conservation efforts. This easement represents the first of its kind and will work to protect 640 acres of pristine native grassland habitat south of Fir Mountain, SK for a 25 year term length.
A conservation easement is a legal agreement between a landowner and a conservation organization or government agency that is put into place to protect ecologically sensitive landscapes such as native grasslands. Easements are tied to the land title and come with land use restrictions to further protect the land despite any changes to land ownership.
The land under easement holds incredible ecological value and ties directly into a large corridor of existing native grasslands in southern Saskatchewan that is in close proximity to large blocks of privately owned grassland as well as the Grasslands National Park East Block. This easement alone will protect critical habitat for the Greater Sage-Grouse, Chestnut-collared Longspur, Sprague’s Pipit, and the Swift Fox. In addition to the species at risk, this landscape provides crucial habitat for a wide range of wildlife that rely on it as one of the last remaining strongholds of intact native grasslands.
This historic Term Conservation Easement wouldn’t be possible without the commitment of the landowners, Lloyd and Nyla Anderson, who operate a generational ranch south of Fir Mountain, SK. They have devoted their lives to ranching on this ecologically sensitive landscape, demonstrating steadfast commitment through even the most trying of times. Driven by their dedication to protecting native grasslands, they established a partnership with the SSGF to ensure the protection of this native grassland, while also underscoring the importance of flexible programming to accommodate the needs of future generations. The Andersons unwavering dedication to environmental stewardship has instilled a deep sense of pride in their children, who are working to continue ranching on the same land that their family has been managing for generations.
“Partnering with the SSGF on this easement felt like the right fit for us. Our grasslands and pastures are what looks after our cattle and family, and this easement guarantees that this pasture will be preserved for the next generation to carry on our way of life.”
-Lloyd and Nyla Anderson
Native grasslands are one of the most at risk ecosystems in the world and Saskatchewan alone has less than 20% of remaining native grasslands left intact. Grasslands provide a wide range of ecological goods and service, including carbon storage and sequestration, water filtration, soil stabilization, and habitat necessary for a diverse array of plant and animal species. Sustainable stewardship of these grasslands is a task that Lloyd and Nyla hold close to their chest.
The Weston Family Foundation has showcased their commitment to grassland conservation through theirWeston Family Prairie Grasslands Initiative and provided the funding for this pivotal easement. Their support ensures the continued delivery of these grassland programs in lockstep with responsible landowners and ultimately contributing to the long-term preservation of native grasslands.
“Supporting the biodiversity and ecological resilience of Canada’s rich and diverse landscapes, like the Prairie Grasslands, is at the heart of the Weston Family Foundation’s mission,” says Foundation Chair, Garfield Mitchell. “We are honoured to be a part of this important term conservation easement signed in Southern Saskatchewan, which will help protect critically threatened habitat for species at risk and aligns with our broader efforts to enable land stewards to conserve our most valued ecosystems across Canada.”
-The Weston Family Foundation
The SSGF offers Term Conservation Easements as a tool to bring a new level of flexibility to conservation easement programming. Term Conservation Easements are unique in the sense that they are applied to the land title for a term length and not permanently like previous easement programs. Once the term length expires, the SSGF is removed from the land title and so are any land use restrictions. The landowner also has the option to reapply for a subsequent easement. This added flexibility will account for ranches transitioning to the next generation and the adaptive management necessary to keep working ranches on the landscape for years to come. Currently under Term Conservation Easement programming, the minimum term length is 25 years but extends up to 30, 35, 40 years and more. The need for increased flexibility in conservation programming has become highly evident in the last 10 to 15 years and a Term Conservation Easement is one of the many tools Saskatchewan ranchers can utilize to protect this working landscape and partner with a conservation organization based in their own province.
“The high demand for Term Conservation Easements in Saskatchewan showcases the importance of grassland conservation programming that works on the ground level and complements the work that ranchers are doing to ensure that healthy grasslands are around for years to come. Our partnership with the Andersons was a natural alignment with SSGF’s mission, and we are immensely proud of the outstanding stewardship they continue to demonstrate on their ranch.”
-Kelcy Elford, SSGF Chair
The signing of this term conservation easement represents a meaningful step towards more ranchers and landowners being recognized for the goods and service the native grasslands provide. The SSGF remains committed to advancing this work by partnering with conservation-minded landowners, thereby expanding the scope and impact of grassland preservation efforts.
Join us on June 9th, 2024 in Moose Jaw at the Saskatchewan Stock Growers AGM & Convention Banquet for a formal presentation of the Anderson Term Conservation Easement with special guests from the Weston Family Foundation.
ABOUT THE WESTON FAMILY FOUNDATION:
At the Weston Family Foundation (formerly The W. Garfield Weston Foundation), more than 60 years of philanthropy has taught us that there’s a relationship between healthy landscapes and healthy people. That’s why we champion world-class health research and innovation with the same passion that we support initiatives to protect and restore biodiversity on our unique landscapes. We take a collaborative approach to philanthropy, working alongside forward-thinking partners to advance Canada and create lasting impacts. We aspire to do more than provide funding; we want to enable others to find transformational ways to improve the well-being of Canadians.
ABOUT THE SASKATCHEWAN STOCK GROWERS FOUNDATION:
The Saskatchewan Stock Growers Foundation is a charitable foundation and land trust committed to preserving Saskatchewan’s native grasslands and the wildlife they support, working hand in hand with ranchers to achieve sustainable stewardship goals.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Mindy Hockley-Anderson
Saskatchewan Stock Growers Foundation
Communications Specialist
1-306-861-2688
communications@ssgf.ca