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Backgrounder
New Facilities and Expansion of the East Block of Grasslands National Park
Grasslands National Park was formally established in 2001 to protect and present a portion of the Prairie Grasslands Natural Region. Grasslands National Park is the only national park to celebrate the wide open northern mixed grass prairie ecosystem, and is home to many rare species and significant cultural heritage sites.
New visitor facilities in Grasslands National Park provide exciting new opportunities for visitors to connect with the Park. The Rock Creek Campground features a cook shelter, boardwalk bridge and visitor centre. The project, with a total cost of approximately $325,000, was funded in part through Canada’s Economic Action Plan.
These new facilities will open up the park to neighbours, Canadians and international visitors, facilitating experiences and encouraging the discovery of the rich geological and palaeontological features of the East Block of the Park. This part of the Park, and its surrounding area, tell a story of fascinating land formations and fossils. The East Block is one of a handful of places around the world that reveals the Cretaceous-Tertiary Boundary – evidence bearing witness to a world-changing event.
In addition to new day use facilities, Grasslands National Park has acquired the Jenkins family ranchland (22.01 sq. km) in the East Block. These lands will contribute towards the unique natural and cultural prairie heritage being shared with Canadians. Since September 2000, there have been several large land transactions for both privately-owned freehold land and Provincial Crown leased land (previously under long-term leases to private individuals or family ranching corporations). All land acquisitions are conducted on a willing seller – willing buyer basis.
Parks Canada and its partners have taken significant steps to restore and present the ecological integrity within Grasslands National Park by protecting this heritage and enhancing the educational and experiential opportunities for those who visit this vast prairie wilderness. Grasslands National Park’s focus is on high quality visitor services and programs as well as reintroducing ecological processes and restoring populations of native prairie species. Significantly for Parks Canada, the newly acquired park lands contribute important habitat for the highly endangered greater sage grouse. This habitat includes critical areas for sage grouse nesting and brood rearing activities in support of the most active East Block mating site (lek).
With the new land acquisition, 61 per cent of the proposed boundary, or approximately 240 sq. km, have been attained in the East Block of the Park. It brings the total acquired lands of both the East and West Blocks of the park to 79 per cent of the proposed 921 sq. km area.
The creation of Grasslands National Park would not have been possible without the land stewardship and leadership of ranching families, surrounding communities, First Nations and stakeholders who collectively have protected these large tracts of undisturbed, biodiverse lands. Parks Canada also recognizes the valuable role that the Government of Saskatchewan has played in the establishment and on-going development of the park. These land acquisitions play a valuable role in Parks Canada’s efforts to complete the park and in enhancing visitor experience and the protection of the heritage resources.
Grasslands National Park of Canada is part of a national system of parks and historic sites that celebrate the national and cultural heritage of this land. In Grasslands National Park, Parks Canada conserves one of the largest areas of native grassland in Canada. The Park is located at the northern end of the range of numerous North American Great Plains species at risk, including the black-footed ferret, black tailed prairie dog, and the Eastern yellow-bellied racer snake.
Grasslands National park is part of a worldwide network of protected areas involved in the conservation of native grasslands ecosystems. Globally, native grasslands are recognized as the most endangered ecosystem with approximately four per cent of the remaining temperate grasslands included within protected areas.
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New visitor facilities in Grasslands National Park provide exciting new opportunities for visitors to connect with the Park. The Rock Creek Campground features a cook shelter, boardwalk bridge and visitor centre. The project, with a total cost of approximately $325,000, was funded in part through Canada’s Economic Action Plan.
These new facilities will open up the park to neighbours, Canadians and international visitors, facilitating experiences and encouraging the discovery of the rich geological and palaeontological features of the East Block of the Park. This part of the Park, and its surrounding area, tell a story of fascinating land formations and fossils. The East Block is one of a handful of places around the world that reveals the Cretaceous-Tertiary Boundary – evidence bearing witness to a world-changing event.
In addition to new day use facilities, Grasslands National Park has acquired the Jenkins family ranchland (22.01 sq. km) in the East Block. These lands will contribute towards the unique natural and cultural prairie heritage being shared with Canadians. Since September 2000, there have been several large land transactions for both privately-owned freehold land and Provincial Crown leased land (previously under long-term leases to private individuals or family ranching corporations). All land acquisitions are conducted on a willing seller – willing buyer basis.
Parks Canada and its partners have taken significant steps to restore and present the ecological integrity within Grasslands National Park by protecting this heritage and enhancing the educational and experiential opportunities for those who visit this vast prairie wilderness. Grasslands National Park’s focus is on high quality visitor services and programs as well as reintroducing ecological processes and restoring populations of native prairie species. Significantly for Parks Canada, the newly acquired park lands contribute important habitat for the highly endangered greater sage grouse. This habitat includes critical areas for sage grouse nesting and brood rearing activities in support of the most active East Block mating site (lek).
With the new land acquisition, 61 per cent of the proposed boundary, or approximately 240 sq. km, have been attained in the East Block of the Park. It brings the total acquired lands of both the East and West Blocks of the park to 79 per cent of the proposed 921 sq. km area.
The creation of Grasslands National Park would not have been possible without the land stewardship and leadership of ranching families, surrounding communities, First Nations and stakeholders who collectively have protected these large tracts of undisturbed, biodiverse lands. Parks Canada also recognizes the valuable role that the Government of Saskatchewan has played in the establishment and on-going development of the park. These land acquisitions play a valuable role in Parks Canada’s efforts to complete the park and in enhancing visitor experience and the protection of the heritage resources.
Grasslands National Park of Canada is part of a national system of parks and historic sites that celebrate the national and cultural heritage of this land. In Grasslands National Park, Parks Canada conserves one of the largest areas of native grassland in Canada. The Park is located at the northern end of the range of numerous North American Great Plains species at risk, including the black-footed ferret, black tailed prairie dog, and the Eastern yellow-bellied racer snake.
Grasslands National park is part of a worldwide network of protected areas involved in the conservation of native grasslands ecosystems. Globally, native grasslands are recognized as the most endangered ecosystem with approximately four per cent of the remaining temperate grasslands included within protected areas.
News Release associated with this Backgrounder.
