Old Man on His Back Prairie and Heritage Conservation Area

Old Man on His Back Prairie and Heritage Conservation area (Photo by Branimir Gjetvaj)

The Old Man on His Back Prairie and Heritage Conservation Area (OMB) continues to be one of the Nature Conservancy of Canada's (NCC's) flagship projects in Saskatchewan. It is a beacon of hope for protecting our remaining intact native grasslands. Located in southwestern Saskatchewan, the area features vast natural lands with significant cultural and historical value. Thanks to Peter and Sharon Butala, the ranch's previous owners, this 5,297-hectare ranch will be protected for the long term.

Plains bison

Since 1995, NCC's Saskatchewan Region has conserved this prairie grassland ranch, leasing areas and fields for sustainable cattle grazing and managing genetically pure plains bison. In 2003, NCC introduced a herd of genetically pure plains bison to OMB. NCC manages the property as a working ranch and showcases the positive relationship between agricultural land use and land conservation.

Nocturnal preserve

Nestled in natural darkness from sunset to sunrise, OMB was designated a Nocturnal Preserve by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada in 2015. This designation makes OMB the Nature Conservancy of Canada's first nocturnal preserve in all of Canada. This property attracts both novice and seasoned stargazers and naturalists who visit the ranch to experience the vast natural prairie and dark night skies.

25 years of grassland conservation at OMB

Throughout 2022, NCC celebrated 25 years of grassland conservation on this flagship property. OMB is a tribute to long-term land stewardship and a great source of NCC pride. Every year, visitors to OMB can also view the plains bison, learn of Saskatchewan's early settlers and view a host of wildlife that live on and love this land. 

Sharon and Peter Butala at Old Man on His Back, Saskatchewan (Photo by Todd Korol)

 
Cultural history

In centuries past, herds of bison roamed free here, pursued by ancestors of the Nikaneet Cree. Medicine wheels and teepee rings are testaments to previous human presence. At one time, the Northwest Mounted Police pastured their horses on part of the property.

Conservation values

Old Man on His Back provides habitat for a variety of plants and animals. Wheat grasses, blue grama and June grass dominate the uplands. Imperiled species, such as ferruginous hawk and swift fox, frequent the property. Pronghorn, mule and white-tailed deer are also commonly sighted here.

In the summer of 2011, a burrowing owl den was spotted here for the first time in eight years.

Plains bison calves, Old Man on His Back, SK (Photo by Don Getty)

Old Man on His Back is part of the semi-arid mixed-grass prairie area. It is an excellent example of our remaining mixed prairie grassland, which originally spanned two provinces and five states and more than 65 million hectares. Most of the mixed-grass prairie disappeared quickly with settlement and conversion to croplands.

Dry prairie landscape is under great threat of cultivation in southwestern Saskatchewan. Fortunately, this property is surrounded on three sides by federally and provincially owned community pasture, forming a large block of intact native prairie.

Listen to our podcast and transport yourself to this important natural area. Learn about NCC’s conservation work here.

Come visit us!

An interpretive centre on the property helps NCC share this rich natural and cultural heritage. The centre also promotes residents' and visitors' awareness and value of this area. Visitors can enjoy a rare opportunity to see the prairie in its ageless beauty, complete with a conservation herd of plains bison. The centre tells the story of the land, people and wildlife on the Northern Great Plains of southwest Saskatchewan. For any inquiries, please call 1.866.622.7275.

(Disclaimer: All visitors to NCC properties do so at their own risk.)

Partners

The Nature Conservancy of Canada conserved the Old Man on His Back Prairie and Heritage Conservation Area in partnership with Peter and Sharon Butala, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Agriculture. Additional conservation partnerships are helping restore cultivated lands back to native grasses in this area.