Kelly Ranches (40.1 km)
Located 17 km southeast of Red Deer, Kelly Ranches is a 320-acre property protected by the Nature Conservancy of Canada. The site features a mix of forests, grasslands, wetlands, and marshes, providing habitat for a wide range of wildlife. Birds such as pileated woodpeckers, Wilson’s snipe, mallard ducks, mourning doves, white-throated sparrows, ruby-crowned kinglets, blue jays, and chipping sparrows have been recorded here. The area supports plant species, including Saskatoon berry, blue violet, strawberry, red and black currants, buffalo bean, sweet-scented bedstraw, orchid, bishop’s cap, bog violet, sage, crocus, buttercup, Solomon’s seal, horsetail, and tamarack. The property was selectively logged in the past but large tracts of spruce forest remain with some springs and muskeg habitat included in the mix. Depending on the season, Kelly Ranches is also used for cattle grazing.
Access: Head 0.8 km south from Ghost Pine General Store on Range Road 254. The property is on the west side of the road allowance. Access requires permission from NCC.
Partners: NCC
Alberta Discover Guide: No
Located 17 km southeast of Red Deer, Kelly Ranches is a 320-acre property protected by the Nature Conservancy of Canada. The site features a mix of forests, grasslands, wetlands, and marshes, providing habitat for a wide range of wildlife. Birds such as pileated woodpeckers, Wilson’s snipe, mallard ducks, mourning doves, white-throated sparrows, ruby-crowned kinglets, blue jays, and chipping sparrows have been recorded here. The area supports plant species, including Saskatoon berry, blue violet, strawberry, red and black currants, buffalo bean, sweet-scented bedstraw, orchid, bishop’s cap, bog violet, sage, crocus, buttercup, Solomon’s seal, horsetail, and tamarack. The property was selectively logged in the past but large tracts of spruce forest remain with some springs and muskeg habitat included in the mix. Depending on the season, Kelly Ranches is also used for cattle grazing.
Access: Head 0.8 km south from Ghost Pine General Store on Range Road 254. The property is on the west side of the road allowance. Access requires permission from NCC.
Partners: NCC
Alberta Discover Guide: No
