Buffalo Lake is one of 24 critical landscapes in Alberta. It is of national ecological significance due to its unique habitat and diversity of plant and animal species.
 

Buffalo Lake Landscape

Buffalo Lake Landscape is a 440,000 acre area situated directly northwest of Stettler that encompasses Buffalo Lake, Red Deer Lake and other large water bodies. This landscape consists of rolling, aspen parkland with high wetland densities. It also contains the highest concentration of breeding waterfowl pairs per square mile (on average 80 pairs) in the Prairie Parkland Region.

Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) has designated Buffalo Lake as a critical landscape in need of immediate conservation action. The risk of habitat loss is high to very high due to agriculture, petroleum development, road construction and rural subdivisions. development which often lead to wetland drainage or fill.

DUC has been working on land purchase and conservation easement agreements, and a Buffalo Lake Wetland Restoration Initiative in this area for some time. DUC is currently working with municipal and provincial government partners and landowners on a Buffalo Lake Management Plan.

DUC’s objectives are to conserve and restore more than 1,100 wetland basins and approximately 300 acres of upland habitat with the cooperation of local landowners and the support of government and private donors. The estimated cost is $4 million over five years.

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Piping Plover on nest

The endangered Piping Plover can be found on sandy beaches and open lakeshores in SE Alberta. Its sand colored camouflage has done little to protect it from wetland drainage and increased predation.

 
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