Restoring Mixed Grass Prairie in
Southeastern Alberta, Canada

Authors:

Brad A. Downey, Francois Blouin, Jennifer D. Richman, Brandy L. Downey, and Paul F. Jones

Publication:

Society for Range Management Rangelands 35(3):16-20; 2013

Abstract:

Between 2008 and 2010 a cultivated field of 57 ha within the mixed grass prairie of southeastern
Alberta was restored with native grasses and silver sagebrush plugs. Wildlife occupying the site increased from being dominated by horned larks to 13 species using the land within 3 years. Two of these species Sprague’s pipit and chestnut-collared longspur are native grassland specialists considered “Threatened” under Canada’s Species at Risk Act. Litter values on the reseed in year 3 were approaching normal values that would be expected on a loamy site within a healthy mixed grass prairie.