Uniting to Conserve the Waldron Ranch

Jul 24, 2015 8:00 AM ET
Sunset at the Waldron Ranch. Photo by Kyle Marquardt

In 2014, Nature Conservancy Canada (NCC) celebrated the completion of its fundraising to purchase a conservation easement on this spectacular land from the co-operative of 72 ranchers who own it, protecting the landscape indefinitely for traditional ranching activity and as important wildlife habitat for species including grizzly bear, wolf and elk. It is the largest conservation initiative of its kind in Canadian history, and one in which TransCanada has played an indirect role.

TransCanada is a longtime supporter of NCC as is clear with contributions totaling $2.7 million to the NCC’s conservation programs since 2003.

We are the owner and operator of pipelines that have run through the Waldron lands for over 60 years. TransCanada’s infrastructure on the Waldron includes the Burton Creek Compressor Station, the original Nova Gas Transmission Ltd. pipeline and the Foothills pipeline.

“TransCanada works with groups trying to find if there’s a way we can re-establish rough fescue and other native species,” says Ian Jerrard, TransCanada’s local land agent in the Waldron area, who has worked for decades with local landowners and other stakeholders during project planning, construction, operation and maintenance. “And we work hard with the landowners to achieve something that’s at least as good as it was before we came to the area.”

Learn more about how TransCanada’s environmental stewardship in the environment section of the 2014 CSR Report.