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Alberta family protects grasslands in partnership with Nature Conservancy of sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½

CALGARY — Some important Prairie grasslands are being protected in southwestern Alberta.
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A cow is shown at the Bectell Ranch in southern Alberta in a handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nature Conservancy of sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ **MANDATORY CREDIT**

CALGARY — Some important Prairie grasslands are being protected in southwestern Alberta. 

The Nature Conservancy of sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ announced Tuesday that it's partnering with the Bectell family to conserve the grasslands on their property near Police Outpost Provincial Park.

It says the 323-hectare property is a significant step in conserving both the area's natural heritage and its ranching traditions.

The Bectell family has a cow-calf ranching operation and uses sustainable rotational grazing practices that date back to 1917.

The conservation agreement ensures the property continues to operate as a working ranch while maintaining its ecological integrity.

The Nature Conservancy of sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ says the project expands its efforts in the area, which now includes almost 2,900 hectares of conserved lands west of the St. Mary River near the sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½-United States border.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 12, 2023.

The Canadian Press