Our Property (a.k.a. RDL)
Biodiversity Project & Image Gallery
We own property on the southern edge of the Boreal Transition Ecoregion of Saskatchewan in an area known as the Tiger Hills Uplands. The terrain is generally a series of small hills (hummocks) and water-filled depressions (kettles) that were formed by gigantic stationary ice blocks that melted at the end of the last ice age leaving behind stagnant moraines. The soil consists of unsorted glacial till with pockets of organic gray loam, clay and gravel. Rocks are numerous and range from fist-sized stones to car-sized boulders. The area was originally extensively covered by trembling aspen and balsam poplar bush with localised grasslands and conifer stands. However, much of the land has been cleared for agriculture with large tracts under cultivation for cereal and oilseeds production. These fields are interspersed with alfalfa/hay and grazing lands for cattle. Lakes, ponds, rivers and streams are numerous in the region and form part of the Carrot River Watershed.
The 400 acre (162 ha) property we own has approximately 140 acres (57 ha) of relatively natural bush comprised mostly of trembling aspen, balsam poplar and hazelnut. There are about 130 acres (53 ha) of alfalfa, hay and unused pasture. A number of willow-ringed wetlands are found on the land. These range from small vernal temporary pools to one that currently covers 110 acres (45 ha) and is about 6 feet (2 m) deep. There are also two temporary streams and a number of hillside water seeps found on the property. As the land lies near the southern edge of the Boreal Transition Ecoregion there are faunal and floral elements from the Boreal Forest, Aspen Parkland and Grassland ecoregions.
We are attempting to document, in the related pages, the rich diversity of plants, birds, animals and both aquatic and terrestrial macrovertebrates we find associated with the property.
(In the map below clicking on the arrows will provide images of views of the property. You do have to remember to close each new window for things to work properly.)
