By Geoff Smith (@smithco on Twitter)

Pincher Creek-area ranch protected from development

Nov 7, 2016 | 9:45 AM

ALBERTA – The threat of subdivision or other development has been held off in an important area near Pincher Creek.

The Welsch family, working with the Nature Conservancy of Canada, has established a conservation easement on their ranch in the Porcupine Hills. The Welsch ranch covers 3,034 acres, overlooking the Oldman River 20 kilometres north of Pincher Creek. Reno and Corine established their ranch there in 1988.

“This family could have easily sold this land, or developed or used it in other ways, given the residential interest in the area,” NCC spokesperson Andrew Holland said. “But they didn’t, to their credit. They worked closely with us because they see the value of preserving it not only today but for future generations, and great on them for doing that.”

Holland said it will protect an area that not only sees a lot of cougars and bears, but some species at risk.

“There’s a nationally-endangered five-needled pine that can live up to a thousand years on this property,” he said. The threatened ferruginous hawk can also be found in the area during the summer months.

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In a news release, Reno Welsch said it will protect the land while allowing him to run his ranch the way he always wants it run.

“It also protects the land for agricultural use at a time where agricultural land, especially good ranch land, is getting harder and harder to find,” he said.

Part of the land was donated under a federal tax incentive program, and other federal and provincial programs were cited for helping make the project possible.

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