Located about 30 km southeast of Drumheller, this Ecological Reserve protects the largest remaining fescue grassland in the world.
- Map of the Area
- Biophysical Observations (via iNaturalist.ca)
- Other Information
- Site Statistics
- References
- Further Reading
- Site Inspections
Map of the Area
Any maps and map views are for general information only. Do not rely on them for navigation or to determine legal boundaries.
Biophysical Observations (via iNaturalist.ca)
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Observations & Projects for this Natural Area
- Observations for this Natural Area
- No iNaturalist Projects,
Other Information
This ER is part of the largest remaining fescue grassland in the world. Habitats include lush plains rough fescue grassland, moist meadows, shrub thickets and aspen woodland. The endangered Piping Plover nests along Little Fish Lake on the edge of the reserve.
This site is situated on the lower south slopes of the Hand Hills upland. Elevations range from 815 to 970 m above sea level. Threatened Ferruginous Hawks and Prairie Long-tailed Weasels occur here and the Piping Plovers nest along Little Fish Lake on the edge of the reserve. Vegetation includes porcupine grass, June grass, spear grass and northern wheatgrass on lightly grazed areas. Blue grama grass and low sedge grow on more heavily grazed sites.
Although motorized vehicles for recreation are not allowed, motorized access is sometimes permitted for grazing lessees to access their grazing reserves.
Patchwork of Protection. There are two protected areas within the Hand Hills area: Hand Hills Ecological Reserve and Little Fish Lake Provincial Park. They cover only 7.2% of the Alberta Wilderness Association’s Hand Hills Area of Concern, a relatively small proportion of the total area. Little Fish Lake is within an Important Bird Area (IBA), and although Little Fish Lake Provincial Park has been established, the lake itself and its shoreline remain unprotected. The remaining area within the Hand Hills consists of a patchwork of public lands and private property [1].
Small Hands or Descriptive? There are two explanations for the name, Hand Hills. The first was recorded in 1859 by Palliser as honoring a Blackfoot Leader who was killed on the hills and who had small hands. The second explanation is that they are descriptive, the geography resembling outstretched fingers of a hand [2].
Political Hay in 1987. 1987 was the designated Year of Wildlife Conservation in Canada by provincial and territorial wildlife ministers and their agencies. In Alberta, Wildlife ’87: Gaining Momentum was spearheaded by Cam Finlay, a well-known Alberta naturalist. More than a dozen new Natural Areas and several Ecological Reserves were designated during this period including the NA and ER in this area [3].
Site Statistics
| Site Name | Hand Hills |
| Site Type | Ecological Reserve |
| Subtype | Order-in-council (OC) |
| Natural Region(s) | Northern Fescue |
| O.C. No. (Land Ref. Manual) | 33/88 |
| PASite ID (Map Ref #) | 486 |
| Site # (Parks Website) | 403 |
| Total Area | 2229.02 ha. (5507.80 ac.) |
| Steward-Status | |
| Recreation Activities | Hiking – backcountry |
| IUCN | VI |
| Operated By | Parks Division |
| Notes and Comments |
References
The following links are provided as a courtesy but are not verified or endorsed by SAPAA. Clicking on the link will cause you to leave the SAPAA website. Primary source of information is Information & Facilities – Hand Hills Ecological Area | Alberta Parks (All links accessed on 2023-02-05).
- Alberta Wilderness Association, Areas of Concern, Hand Hills.
- Aubrey, Merrily K., ed. Concise Place Names of Alberta. Calgary: University of Calgary Press, 2006, p. 143.
- History of Natural Areas and Ecological Reserves 1977-1994, SAPAA Newsletter No. 41 January 2022, pp. 3-4.
Further Reading
Site Inspections
- No Site Inspections to date.
SAPAA 