Photo credit: Nature Conservancy Canada

Awarded to the Nature Conservancy of Canada to safeguard 129.5 hectares of high-quality habitat for wildlife and low impact recreation.

PROPONENT: Nature Conservancy of Canada

DESCRIPTION: The Larsen Lake property is made up of 129.5 hectares of second growth mixed forest, wetland areas, and approximately 200 meters of Larsen Lake shoreline. The lakeshore and parcel boundaries have been fenced in the past; however, range fencing has fallen in disrepair over the last 15 years and no longer serves to prevent trespass. While not in the Agricultural Land Reserve, the property experiences cattle trespass from neighbouring lands, which has contributed to the degradation of the Larsen Lake shoreline and wetland marsh habitat throughout the property. In addition, recreational access has been unrestricted, and has contributed to the spread of invasive plants throughout the property, and further contributed to soil compaction, erosion, and wildlife disturbance. These threats negatively impact the quality of available habitat on the property both in the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems present. Damage to wetland systems affects their associated ecosystem services, which in turn can negatively impact nearby infrastructure and residents. The Larsen Lake Range Fencing Project will help to mitigate these threats and allow for the restoration of their impacts throughout the property as follows.

The goal of the Larsen Lake Range Fencing Project is to safeguard 129.5 hectares of high-quality habitat for wildlife and low impact recreation. Installation of wildlife friendly fencing around the parcel will prevent further degradation of the mixed forest, wetland areas, and Larsen Lake shoreline, and will give the ecosystem and the NCC team an opportunity to restore damaged areas. A healthy, well-functioning ecosystem provides high quality wildlife habitat, inspiring low-impact recreation opportunities, and ecosystem services to surrounding communities.

OBJECTIVE: This project has the following objectives:

  • Develop a fencing plan for the Larsen Lake wildlife friendly perimeter fencing.
  • Using regional fencing contractors, wildlife friendly fencing will be installed to prevent cattle and high impact vehicle trespass into the Larsen Lake property.
  • Enhance land management and community partnerships in RDEK Electoral Area F.