WINNIPEG – The Nature Conservancy of Canada in Manitoba has announced that it is the proud new owners of a historical property in the province.
The not-for-profit, land conservation organization has completed the purchase of 127 hectares known as the Ethier Sandhills in the Oak Lake Natural Area in southwestern Manitoba.
The site was sold to the Nature Conservancy of Canada by the previous landowner, who wished to protect the sand dunes in honour of his late mother.
Over the years, vegetation growing on the dunes have created stability and resulted in habitat for many rare or uncommon species.
The Nature Conservancy of Canada has discovered 11 species at risk and uncommon species on the property, including silky prairie clover inhabiting the blowouts which is listed as both nationally
and provincially threatened.
The property is also one of only a few places in Manitoba where brittle prickly-pear and the provincially imperilled spiny star can be found.