An active grazing lease covers this large Natural Area located about 30 km southeast of Wainwright.
Map of the Area
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Biophysical Observations (via iNaturalist)
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Observations & Projects for this Natural Area
- Observations for this Natural Area.
- No iNaturalist Projects.
Other Information
Ribstone Creek Heritage Rangeland Natural Area (83.27 km2), about 30 km southeast of Wainwright, is a diverse complex of sand plains, active dunes, calcareous fens and riparian wetlands. The area preserves habitat for numerous breeding birds, including Sharp-tailed Grouse dancing grounds.
Under Grazing Lease. Most of this natural area is under a grazing lease and has hunting and access restrictions. Check the guidelines for Recreation on Agricultural Public Land when planning a visit [1]. For example, visitors are instructed to leave all gates as found, not harass cattle and slow down/drive with caution when livestock are near (or crossing) roads.
County and Private Land make up the parcels within the site that are not part of the NA. Further to the south is the Hutterian Brethren of Ribstone colony [2].
Ribstone Creek is named for a large stone that was carved by First Nations to bear a resemblance to a rib cage; it is a rough translation from the original Cree name. This name was noted on an 1887 Geological Survey of Canada map [3].
1959 Historical Cairn was erected by the Alberta Government which bears the following inscription [4]:
‘Ribstones’ or ‘stone gods’ have been found in several places in central and southern Alberta. These objects, of sacred significance to many Indians, are stones carved to represent the ribs of the buffalo, in solemn recognition of how important the buffalo was to the Indian way of life. Gifts of beads, tobacco or meat were offered occasionally to these rock-hewn gods which often were located atop of imposing hill. These petroglyphs are a reminder today of other forms as well such as stone piles, mosaics, tee pee rings and medicine wheels.
HR or NA or Both? Alberta Protected Areas come with 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. Along with six other sites it was given the NA designation in the late 1990s during the Special Places 2000 program. The rationale was that this was the ‘best fit’ for interim management until the legislation for the Heritage Rangeland class was proclaimed. Management of these sites is a hybrid between a NA and HR until legislation is in place [5].
Site Statistics
| Site Name | Ribstone Creek Heritage Rangeland |
| Site Type | Natural Area |
| Subtype | Order-in-council (OC) |
| Natural Region(s) | Central Parkland |
| O.C. No. (Land Ref. Manual) | 210/00 |
| PASite ID (Map Ref #) | 588 |
| Site # (Parks Website) | 461 |
| Total Area | 8327.22 ha. (20576.79 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 – Ribstone Creek Heritage Rangeland Natural Area | Alberta Parks (All links accessed on 2026-01-03).
- Alberta Government, Recreation on Agricultural Public Land
- Municipal District of Wainwright No. 6, Ownership Map
- Aubrey, Merrily K., ed. Concise Place Names of Alberta. Calgary: University of Calgary Press, 2006, p. 274.
- Alberta Register of Historic Places, Ribstone Heritage Monument.
- Alberta Government Fact Sheet, “Heritage Rangeland” Natural Areas.
SAPAA 