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On the Saskatchewan border, this multi-parcel site protects critical bird habitat and is located about 250 km southeast of Edmonton.

[FP, DESPITE SIZE, STRAIGHTFORWARD]

• Map of the Area
• Other Information
• Site Statistics
• References and Further Reading

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.

Other Information

Killarney-Reflex Lakes Heritage Rangeland Natural Area is a kame moraine, sand plain & sand dune complex with small alkali lakes. The site preserves a large portion of an internationally significant shorebird migration area. Some of the world’s largest concentrations of stilt sandpipers have been reported here; Reflex Lake supports one of Alberta’s densest breeding populations of piping plover, an endangered species in Canada. This site lies in the Parkland Natural Region, Central Parkland Sub-region. The site was established or expanded as part of the Special Places program.

Killarney Lake was likely named after similarly named lakes in Ireland [1]. At least 213 bird species have been seen in the larger area which includes Dillberry Lake Provincial Park. One such bird is the endangered piping plover. No wonder the region is recognized as an Important Bird Area [2].

Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) is on Alberta’s Red List as an endangered species. There are only 100-150 breeding pairs left in the province. Its name is from the “queep, queep” melodic piping call it makes. Interestingly, the female abandons the family before the young fledge leaving parental duties to the male [3].

Privately Owned Land Parcels are found between the NA and the PP [4].

HR or NA or Both? Protected Areas have specific classifications two of which are ‘Heritage Rangeland’ and ‘Natural Area’. So which of these two is this NA? The answer appears to be both and in limbo. It along with six other sites were given the NA designation in the late 1990’s during the Special Places 2000 program. The rationale was this was the ‘best fit’ for interim management until the legislation for the Heritage Rangeland class was pro- claimed. Management of these sites is a hybrid between a NA and HR until legislation is in place [5].

Site Statistics

Site Name	Killarney-Reflex Lakes Heritage Rangeland
Site Type	Natural Area
Subtype	Order-in-council (OC)
Natural Region(s)	Central Parkland
O.C. No. (Land Ref. Manual)	211/00
PASite ID (Map Ref #)	589
Site # (Parks Website)	449
Total Area	2731.07 ha. (6748.37 ac.)
Steward-Status
Recreation Activities	none noted
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 – Killarney-Reflex Lakes Heritage Rangeland Natural Area | Alberta Parks (All links accessed on 2023-01-10).

1. Aubrey, Merrily K., ed. Concise Place Names of Alberta. Calgary: University of Calgary Press, 2006; p. #.
2. McAdam, Leigh, and Debbie Olsen. 200 Nature Hot Spots in Alberta: The Best Parks, Conservation Areas and Wild Places. Second edition. Buffalo, New York: Firefly Books, 2022.ty Maps – Yellowhead County (yhcounty.ca).
3. McGillivray, W. Bruce, and Glen P. Semenchuk. The Federation of Alberta Naturalists Field Guide to Alberta Birds. Edmonton: Federation of Alberta Naturalists, 1998, p. 101.
4. Ownership Map | Municipal District of Wainwright No. 61 (mdwainwright.ca).
5. “Heritage Rangeland” natural areas – Open Government (alberta.ca).

Editing, Review and Silence Procedure

1. FRANK: Publish page
2. HUBERT/PATSY: Assign page for editing by update tbd in the Title (4-
3. Review for readability and alignment to SAPAA organizational reputation.
4. Best available image
5. Review for accuracy including:
   1. Correct map and site statistics
   2. Area size is correct
   3. Standards (e.g. use of hyphens, spelling, etc.)
   4. References are accessible and and notes match
6. Review for formatting, e.g.: Centered captions, No empty blocks
7. TEAM: Last walk through
   1. Any final discussion or notes
   2. Remove [name] from title
   3. Add to log book for silence procedure
   4. Delete these notes.