About Sandstone Ranch (Del Bonita)

This 4,764 acre (1,928 ha.) property is located approximately 10 km northwest of Del Bonita, in the Milk River Ridge area of southern Alberta. This stunning piece of native grassland provides habitat to to mule deer, Sprague’s pipit, and the endangered ferruginous hawk and swift fox. NCC and its partners have worked hard to conserve this piece of Alberta’s ranching heritage for over 10 years.

NCC acquired the Sandstone Ranch property with the assistance of the Government of Canada’s Natural Areas Conservation Program (NACP), a unique public-private partnership to accelerate the pace of land conservation across southern Canada.

What you will be doing

Volunteers will work together as a team to tackle the spread of invasive downy brome on the beautiful Sandstone Ranch. This invasive plant species will displace native grasses that are much more nutritious for cattle, and severely reduce the overall plant diversity found on native rangeland, which in turn effects the health of the soil and local wildlife. Continued weed management strategies are essential in maintaining biodiversity and we wouldn’t be able to achieve this without all the helping hands!

Why you will love it

Not only will volunteers get to enjoy the spectacular grassland views and experience, we will also provide free transportation and lunch for volunteers between the Helen Schuler Nature Centre and Sandstone Ranch. Our way of saying thank you for coming out in full force to make an impact on conservation in the grasslands!

Questions?

Contact Hannah Schaepsmeyer: Hannah.Schaepsmeyer@natureconservancy.ca