Seeing is believing. Members of the PF Calgary Board of Directors got a small glimpse of the habitat conservation work that PF Calgary is investing in thanks to its supporters.
On Tuesday, June 22, Managing Director Perry McCormick led a group of six PF Calgary Directors on a tour of the northern pastures and the irrigation infrastructure of the Eastern Irrigation District; known by the locals as the Rosemary Grazing Pasture, and Finnegan Field.
Here, literally hundreds of wetlands were created over 35 years ago by running small ditches and canals to all low lying areas on the pastures. These massive wetland complexes were built by Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC)funded in large part by the State of California. These complexes provide thousands of acres of lush habitat, often referred to the Ribbon of Habitat and are a boon for upland game birds.
But, as you might imagine, 35 years later, the infrastructure is in need of repair on a constant basis.
Control gates and culverts all eventually rust out. Delivery canals become choked with cattails and require cleaning out. Many of the basins are also choked with cattail. The upside is that this habitat provides excellent thermal cover for ring-necked pheasants and sharp-tailed grouse.
The subsurface irrigation and sandy soils produce a multitude of shrub species, such as thorny buffalo berry, wild rose, Saskatoon, chokecherry and various species of willow.
In short, all these factors combine to make a perfect landscape for upland gamebirds.
PF Calgary has been supporting the maintenance of this infrastructure for several years. This year, we have committed over $100,000 to repair issues on the Verger and Finnegan Field complexes.
Another major upside for PF Calgary is these projects are located within the Eastern Irrigation District, which is open to the public for recreation and hunting. If you choose to head out that way, stop in at the Eastern Irrigation District office for maps and a permit. Remember to stay on the trails and obey the signs.
The tour began on the southend and worked its way north, with a stop at the University of Alberta Mathias Research Ranch for lunch.
The landscape did not disappoint. It was wonderful to see the prairie after six inches of rain and six years of drought.
A special thank you to DUC for supplying the lunch and to Marcel Buzc, manager of the Mathias Research Ranch for allowing us access and hosting the lunch.
Monies raised from our recent Dinner & Auction and upcoming Casino are instrumental in helping to maintain these critical habitats.
To see more of our work, please visit our habitat projects page.
The tour began at the south end and headed north to the Finnegan Field complex.
The tour bus chariot for the day.
Crab Lake ditch supplies water to the Field & Stream, Verger, Solano and Will J, Reid Complexes in the Gem area.
This new structure at Crab Lake was funded by Pheasants Forever Calgary two years ago, and guarantees water delivery to several wetlands across the EID North Pastures.
Finnegan Field is the last wetland complex before the water runs into the Red Deer River near Finnegan ferry. The structures in this complex are more than 30 years old and in need of repair. PF Calgary will hire local contractors to make sure these wetlands remain on the landscape.
Lunch at the University of Alberta Mathias Research Ranch.