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Historical Footnote
In 1986 when the first land was acquired, DUC directors came out by bus for a meeting and dedication ceremony. The bus mired in mud from the restored wetland and all the visitors had to be transported out by auto. The water restoration project had worked too well.
(Nycticorax nycticorax)
The Black-Crowned Night-Heron haunts wetlands at night when other birds have gone to roost, patrolling the shallows for wood frogs and small fish. They are distinguished by their large red eyes, two white plumes and characteristic squawk.
Antelope Creek Habitat Development 
A model for conservation management of mixed grass prairie
For 20 years, the Antelope Creek Habitat Development Area has been a model for managing mixed prairie grass to enhance livestock and wildlife productivity. Located near Brooks, Alberta, the project began in 1986 and continues to teach important lessons about how livestock grazing, wildlife habitat, and oil and gas development can co-exist on a landscape with mutual benefits.
Alberta Fish and Wildlife Division, Wildlife Habitat Canada, Ducks Unlimited Canada and the Alberta Fish and Game Association were the purchasing partners and the organizations which established the management practices for the site. Alberta Environment, Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, the Eastern Irrigation District, the Universities of Lethbridge and Calgary, Public Lands, Encana, Murphy Oil, and many others have helped play a part in making Antelope Creek Ranch the success story it has become.
The Antelope Creek Habitat Development Area is managed to enhance a productive plant cover for livestock and wildlife, and adequate nest cover for waterfowl on dry mixed grass prairie with associated wetlands and riparian areas. Research on the Ranch consists of a co-operative, multi-disciplinary monitoring program to document changes in range vegetation and range condition, forage production and utilization, litter reserves, cattle performance, soil chemical and physical characteristics, and changes in relative abundance and diversity of wildlife.
The area encompasses 5,500 acres, including Lake San Francisco and 36 constructed wetland basins. The habitat supports waterfowl, pheasants, birds of prey, gulls, pronghorn antelope, white-tailed deer, coyotes, badgers and other wildlife including rare and endangered species like the burrowing owl and black-crowned night-heron.
The Antelope Creek Habitat Development Area has managers on site and is a popular place for workshops, scheduled events and tours. For more information, go to www.antelopecreekranch.ca.
