Alberta’s government has released draft management plans for two heritage rangelands in southern Alberta and is launching targeted engagement on Aug. 19 until Nov. 17 to help shape how land in these areas should be managed for years to come. The proposed plans will help guide how these landscapes are managed so they can continue to provide environmental, economic and cultural benefits for future generations.

“Gathering feedback is essential to advance land-use planning in Alberta. These draft management plans guide how each heritage rangeland is protected and used over time, balancing conservation with continued activities on the landscape. Input from Albertans ensures these plans reflect the province’s needs and opportunities.”

Grant Hunter, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas

The OH Ranch and Pekisko areas are used for many activities, including grazing, low-impact recreation access and traditional Indigenous land use. Land-use planning will help direct what activities take place in the future across these distinctive areas.

Pekisko contains one of the largest contiguous blocks of native foothills fescue grassland and parkland in Alberta. The management plan will help set clear expectations for conservation, grazing, access and stewardship in the proposed Pekisko Heritage Rangeland.

The OH Ranch Heritage Rangeland Management Plan is being updated to reflect current management practices, policies and legislation. The revised plan will set clear expectations for grazing, natural resource management, wildlife and species at risk, recreational access, educational awareness, and monitoring and reporting in the OH Ranch Heritage Rangeland.

The draft plans are not final, and this process is designed to help generate input and detailed feedback. All feedback will be closely reviewed in alignment with policy. It will be used to help finalize the plans and, ultimately, support economic growth, conservation and strong communities. Feedback will be collected until Nov. 17 and will help inform the final decisions and implementation of these plans.

Quick facts

  • A heritage rangeland is a protected area of public land where Alberta’s native grasslands are conserved while carefully managed grazing continues.
  • Grazing is not treated as separate from conservation. When managed well, it helps maintain the native grassland ecology, protects biodiversity and supports the long-standing ranching stewardship that has shaped these landscapes.
  • Alberta has the largest area of remaining intact grasslands in Canada (close to 16 million acres).
  • OH Ranch Heritage Rangeland is located southwest of Calgary near Longview and the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.
  • Pekisko Heritage Rangeland is located southwest of High River, south of the OH Ranch Heritage Rangeland.

Related information