Great Sandhills National Wildlife Area
The Great Sandhills National Wildlife Area (NWA) is approximately 35 kilometers (km) southeast of Leader, Saskatchewan. The NWA lies within the Mixed Grassland eco-region.
Description
Great Sandhills NWA rests on the western edge of Saskatchewan’s scenic Great Sandhills region. The NWA is characterized by areas of tame and mixed native grassland, alkali wetlands and stabilized dunes. The site provides excellent habitat for mixed grassland communities and species that thrive in dune habitats. Native grassland is the most at-risk ecosystem globally. Protection of this site contributes to preserving the important natural heritage of this unique community.
The mixed grasslands at Great Sandhills NWA provide habitat for nesting grassland songbirds, as well as a host of mammals, plants, fungi, and insects. Alkali wetlands provide habitat for migrating waterfowl and wetland birds. Management through cattle grazing on the NWA attempts to replicate the grazing activity of roaming herds of bison that once lived in the area. This management is important for recycling nutrients, limiting vegetation litter, and encouraging a great diversity of plants to thrive. Listen closely in spring and you may hear the trill of a Baird’s Sparrow or see a grazing pronghorn!
Species of birds observed in the area include:
- chestnut-collared longspur
- Baird’s sparrow
- clay-coloured sparrow
- grasshopper sparrow
- horned lark
- Savannah sparrow
- western meadowlark
Mammals observed in the area include:
- pronghorn
- mule deer
- white-tailed deer
- coyote
- American badger
- Richardson’s ground squirrel
Reptiles and amphibians observed in the area include:
- plains garter snake
- bullsnake
- great plains toad
Plants observed in the area include:
- needle-and-thread grass
- western wheatgrass
- needle-leaf sedge
- saltgrass
- blue grama
- Rocky Mountain beeplant (Pink beeplant)
- woolly plantain
- pincushion cactus
- slender beardtongue
Find more information on Great Sandhills NWA in the summary below.
Management
Under the Canada Wildlife Act, NWAs are protected and managed in accordance with the Wildlife Area Regulations. The primary purpose of NWAs is to protect and conserve wildlife and wildlife habitat. For this purpose and according to the legislation, all activities in a NWA that could interfere with the conservation of wildlife can be prohibited. Some activities may be authorized through Schedule I.1 of the Wildlife Area Regulations or the issuance of permits as long as they are consistent with habitat conservation and/or the management plan goals for the NWA. For more information, consult the NWA Management and Activities section.
Any authorized activities are listed in Schedule I.1 of the Wildlife Area Regulations; signage is also posted at access points.
Authorized activities listed in Schedule I.1 of the Wildlife Area Regulations for Great Sandhills NWA:
- Wildlife viewing;
- Hiking;
- Non-commercial berry picking; and
- Sport hunting — including with dogs off-leash when hunting migratory game birds or upland game birds — without a commercial guide, from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset if the hunting is carried out
- in accordance with any applicable federal permit and any authorization required by the laws of Saskatchewan for sport hunting in that province; and
- without the use of toxic shot.
More information on access and permitting for Great Sandhills NWA can be obtained by contacting the Environment and Climate Change Canada regional office.
Map of the area
Long description
This map shows the southwest region of Saskatchewan. The boundaries of Great Sandhills National Wildlife Area (NWA) are indicated. A small inset map situates the NWA in relation to Alberta, Northwest territories, Nunavut, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the United States of America. Cropland, water, forest and shrubland, grasslands and barren ground are depicted on the map.
This map is for illustrative purposes only. It should not be used to define legal boundaries.
Summary
Protected Area designation
National Wildlife Area
Province/territory
Saskatchewan
Latitude/longitude
50.69 N 109.36 W
Size
474.7 Hectares
Reason for creation of protected area
Protection of native prairie and migratory bird habitat and species at risk habitat.
Designation Date (Gazetted)
2025
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Management Category
Habitat/Species Management Area (IV)
Additional designations
None
Keystone or flagship species
- Baird's sparrow
- pronghorn
- Needle-and-thread Grass
Main habitat type
- mixed grassland
- alkali wetland
Listed species under the Species at Risk Act (SARA)
- Baird’s sparrow
- bobolink
- chestnut-collared longspur
- common nighthawk
- long-billed curlew
- Sprague’s pipit
- loggerhead shrike
- thick-billed longspur
- great Plains toad
- ferruginous hawk
- smooth goosefoot
- slender mouse-ear-cress
Additional links
None
Main threats and challenges
Alien invasive species and shrubby encroachment altering the structure of upland cover that may reduce the abundance of some wildlife.
Management Agency
Environment and Climate Change Canada (Canadian Wildlife Service)
Public access and usage
Authorized activities listed in Schedule I.1 of the Wildlife Area Regulations for Great Sandhills NWA:
- Wildlife viewing;
- Hiking;
- Non-commercial berry picking; and
- Sport hunting — including with dogs off-leash when hunting migratory game birds or upland game birds — without a commercial guide, from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset if the hunting is carried out
- in accordance with any applicable federal permit and any authorization required by the laws of Saskatchewan for sport hunting in that province; and
- without the use of toxic shot.
Note: If there is a discrepancy between the information presented on this web page, any notice posted at the NWA site and the law, the law prevails, as it is the legal instrument authorizing the activity.
Contact us
Environment and Climate Change Canada - Prairie Region
Canadian Wildlife Service
115 Perimeter Road
Saskatoon SK S7N 3T5
Toll-Free: 1-800-668-6767 (in Canada only)
Email: enviroinfo@ec.gc.ca