Moose Mountain Creek National Wildlife Area

The Moose Mountain Creek National Wildlife Area (NWA) is approximately 38 kilometers (km) north of Stoughton, Saskatchewan. The NWA lies at the boundary between Aspen Parkland and Moist Mixed Grass eco-regions.

Description

Moose Mountain Creek NWA is situated on the Moose Mountain Creek valley in southeastern Saskatchewan. The NWA is characterized by areas of marsh, tame and mixed native grassland, and poplar bluffs. The site provides excellent habitat for both mixed grassland and aspen parkland ecological communities. Protecting this special blend of communities is crucial to broader regional conservation efforts due to widespread land cultivation in the area. Native grassland is the most at-risk ecosystem globally. Protection of this site contributes to preserving the important natural heritage of this unique community.

Photo of Moose Mountain Creek NWA — Moose Mountain Creek NWA. Photo: Alex Fisher

The marsh at Moose Mountain Creek NWA provides habitat for nesting waterfowl and other wetland birds, as well as a host of mammals, amphibians, plants, fungi, and insects. During spring and fall migrations the marsh attracts large flocks of waterfowl who stop over to feed and rest. Mixed grass prairie and poplar bluffs on site provide excellent habitat both for arboreal and grassland nesting birds. Management of grasslands 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. Look in early summer for bright patches of Hoary Puccoon that cloak the hillsides!

Species of birds observed in the area include:

American bittern
northern shoveler
blue-winged teal
clay-coloured sparrow
common yellowthroat
marsh wren
red-winged blackbird
sedge wren
sora
western meadowlark

Mammals observed in the area include:

moose
white-tailed deer
beaver
muskrat

Amphibians and reptiles observed in the area include:

boreal chorus frog
wood frog
northern leopard frog
plains garter snake

Plants observed in the area include:

needle-and-thread grass
plains muhly
Richardson’s alumroot
prairie crocus
prairie violet
hoary puccoon
yellow lady’s slipper
white beardtongue (white-flowered Beardtongue)

Find more information on Moose Mountain Creek 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 Moose Mountain Creek 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
1. in accordance with any applicable federal permit and any authorization required by the laws of Saskatchewan for sport hunting in that province; and
2. without the use of toxic shot.

More information on access and permitting for Moose Mountain Creek NWA can be obtained by contacting the Environment and Climate Change Canada regional office.

Map of the area

Long description

This map shows the southeast region of Saskatchewan. The boundaries of Moose Mountain Creek 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

49.966 N 103.11W

Size

162.7 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

American bittern
moose
hoary puccoon

Main habitat type

mixed grassland
poplar bluff
wetland

Listed species under the Species at Risk Act (SARA)

Baird’s pparrow
bank swallow
bobolink
common nighthawk
long-billed curlew
Sprague’s pipit
western grebe
northern leopard frog

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. Small size makes the site vulnerable to surrounding landscape change.

Management Agency

Environment and Climate Change Canada (Canadian Wildlife Service)

Public access and usage