North Cypress-Langford Enters Into Landmark Conservation Agreement with Nature Conservancy of Canada

North Cypress–Langford and Nature Conservancy Partner to Protect Native Prairie and Marshland

By Rrain Prior – Local Journalism Initiative

After months of planning, the Municipality of North Cypress–Langford (NCL) and the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) are preparing to finalize a landmark agreement to conserve 22 parcels of ecologically significant land, including native prairie and marshland.

Under the proposed agreement, four parcels within the Douglas Marsh will be donated outright to the NCC. The remaining 18 parcels—consisting primarily of native prairie currently used as grazing land—will remain under municipal ownership but will be protected through a conservation easement. These parcels will continue to be leased to local ratepayers for grazing.

A recent public meeting in the village of Wellwood, held jointly by the NCL council and the NCC, offered residents the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the implications of the conservation deal.

“These agreements help protect sensitive ecosystems, ensure responsible land management, and conserve habitat for wildlife,” said Reeve Ray Drayson. “But just as importantly, they support the lifestyle and legacy of our farming communities by promoting land use practices that respect both conservation and agricultural traditions.”

Questions About Land Use and Municipal Control

While many attendees supported the goal of land conservation, some expressed concerns about the long-term implications of the agreement. Chief among them were fears about relinquishing control over municipal land and the perceived permanence of the easements.

One attendee voiced support for the conservation goals but questioned the need to donate municipal land: “I’m totally on board with the whole conservation thing,” they said, “but why do we have to give up land to get that agreement?”

Council and the NCC emphasized that the decision to donate the four marshland parcels was voluntary and not a prerequisite for entering into the broader conservation agreement.

What the Agreement Means for the Community

Functionally, little will change in how the land is used. The conservation easements are designed to preserve the land’s current use as grazing territory while prohibiting development that would harm the native prairie. The land will remain under municipal ownership, with the conservation restrictions written into the agreement. If sold, the land would retain these protections regardless of the new owner.

To offset the reduced value of the land under conservation, NCC will compensate the municipality for the difference between the current market value and the post-easement value, based on a third-party appraisal.

Although the four marshland parcels will become NCC property, this transfer will generate new tax revenue for the municipality.

A Vital Ecosystem

Douglas Marsh is part of the Assiniboine Delta, which contains one of the last large, intact stretches of native prairie grassland in Manitoba. Due to its rich biodiversity and environmental significance, this region is one of nine NCC priority conservation areas in the province.