Rumsey Natural Area

Rumsey Natural Area supports exceptional wildlife diversity for a prairie ecosystem. The extensive native grassland provides critical habitat for grassland birds including Sprague's pipits, Baird's sparrows, and Chestnut-collared longspurs, all species of conservation concern. Sharp-tailed grouse perform elaborate mating displays on traditional lek sites each spring. Ferruginous hawks, one of Canada's largest hawks, nest in the area hunting Richardson's ground squirrels and other prey. American badgers, rare in much of Alberta, maintain populations here, digging extensively for ground squirrels. White-tailed deer and mule deer inhabit the area, along with occasional pronghorn visits. Coyotes and red foxes are common predators. The grassland supports diverse small mammal communities including various mice, voles, and shrews. Short-horned lizards and bull snakes represent the herpetofauna. The intact native grassland ecosystem supports species assemblages rare elsewhere in Alberta.

Rumsey Natural Area preserves exceptional native fescue grassland, one of the most endangered ecosystems in North America. Dominant grasses include plains rough fescue, northern rough fescue, and Parry oat grass forming the grassland matrix. These native grasses support far greater biodiversity than introduced pasture species. Forbs and wildflowers are abundant, including three-flowered avens, prairie crocus, golden bean, and numerous other species creating spectacular spring and summer displays. Shrubs including wild rose, saskatoon, and chokecherry grow in scattered patches and along coulees. Aspen groves occur in moister areas, creating habitat diversity. The area includes wetland complexes supporting sedges, rushes, and aquatic plants. The native plant communities have never been cultivated, maintaining soil structure and seed banks lost elsewhere. Plant diversity is exceptional, with over 400 vascular plant species recorded. The grassland represents centuries of co-evolution with grazing ungulates and fire.

Rumsey Natural Area lies within the Interior Plains physiographic region on gently rolling glaciated terrain. Bedrock consists of Cretaceous sedimentary rocks including sandstones and shales, though these are buried beneath thick glacial deposits. The landscape was shaped by continental glaciation, with ice sheets depositing till and creating the current topography. The gently rolling terrain reflects uneven glacial deposition and subsequent erosion. Glacial kettles and depressions hold seasonal and permanent wetlands. Soil development on glacial parent materials has created rich prairie soils, particularly Dark Brown Chernozems and Black Chernozems, among Canada's most fertile soils. The fact that these soils were never cultivated makes Rumsey exceptional, preserving natural soil structure and biological communities. Post-glacial processes including organic matter accumulation from prairie vegetation have enriched the soils. The area's geology creates the moisture and drainage patterns supporting diverse grassland and wetland communities.

The natural area experiences a continental climate typical of Alberta's grassland-parkland transition zone. Winters are cold with temperatures often dropping below -25°C and extreme cold reaching -35°C or lower. Snow cover is variable, often blown clear from exposed areas and accumulating in sheltered spots. Summers are warm with July temperatures averaging 15-20°C, occasionally exceeding 30°C during heat waves. Annual precipitation is moderate at approximately 400-450mm, with most falling during the growing season from May through July. The area experiences periodic droughts that influence vegetation and wildlife. Chinook winds occasionally bring rapid winter warming. Strong winds are common, particularly in spring and fall, influencing vegetation structure and fire behavior. The growing season lasts approximately 110-125 days. Weather variability is characteristic, with year-to-year differences in temperature and precipitation affecting ecosystem dynamics.

Rumsey Natural Area lies within traditional territories of Blackfoot peoples and was utilized by Cree and Métis communities. The native grassland supported vast bison herds that were central to Indigenous cultures for thousands of years. Hunting, gathering, and ceremonial activities occurred across the landscape. The area's wetlands provided additional resources and attracted diverse wildlife. European settlement brought dramatic changes in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with bison extirpation and agricultural conversion of most native prairie. The Rumsey area avoided cultivation due to various factors including land ownership patterns and topography. Limited grazing occurred but avoided the intensive cultivation that destroyed most fescue grassland. Recognition of the area's exceptional conservation value grew through the 20th century as ecologists recognized how rare intact native prairie had become. The Natural Area designation formalized protection of this irreplaceable ecosystem.

Rumsey Natural Area was designated in 1977 as one of Alberta's first Natural Areas, recognizing the exceptional conservation value of this extensive intact native grassland. At approximately 5,000 hectares, it represents one of the largest protected fescue grassland sites in Alberta. The designation aimed to preserve an ecosystem largely eliminated elsewhere through agricultural conversion. Unlike provincial parks, the Natural Area designation emphasizes ecological protection with minimal recreational development. Management focuses on maintaining the grassland through appropriate fire regimes and grazing, recognizing these as natural disturbances that shaped the ecosystem. The area serves as a critical biodiversity reservoir, protecting species and communities lost from surrounding agricultural lands. Research programs have used Rumsey as a reference site for understanding native prairie ecology. The Natural Area has become increasingly valuable as native grassland continues to decline elsewhere.

Rumsey Natural Area offers opportunities for experiencing native prairie largely absent from recreational development to maintain ecological integrity. The main attraction is the extensive native fescue grassland itself, providing opportunities to observe an ecosystem now rare across its former range. Spring brings spectacular wildflower displays from April through June as the prairie bursts into bloom. Bird watching is exceptional, particularly for grassland species including several of conservation concern. Sharp-tailed grouse lek viewing in spring attracts wildlife enthusiasts. The area offers opportunities for nature photography, capturing grassland landscapes and wildlife. Research and educational groups utilize the site for studying native prairie ecology. Walking through the grassland provides direct experience of the prairie ecosystem. The area's relatively undeveloped character appeals to those seeking solitude and authentic natural experiences. Seasonal changes create different experiences throughout the year.

As a Natural Area emphasizing ecological protection, Rumsey features minimal visitor facilities. Access is via local roads from Highway 21, approximately 50 kilometers east of Innisfail. Road conditions vary with weather, potentially becoming difficult when wet. Parking is informal at access points. No camping facilities exist within the natural area. Visitors should be self-sufficient with water, food, and supplies. The nearest services are in Trochu, Drumheller, and other regional communities. Cell phone coverage is limited. The site is accessible year-round but spring and summer offer optimal conditions for experiencing grassland wildflowers and wildlife. Winter access requires preparation for cold conditions. No maintained trails exist; visitors walk through the grassland. Interpretive facilities are minimal. The area is not heavily promoted for recreation, prioritizing conservation. Visitors should stay on established routes to minimize impacts on vegetation.

Conservation at Rumsey Natural Area focuses on maintaining one of Alberta's largest intact native fescue grasslands and the biodiversity it supports. The grassland has never been cultivated, preserving natural soil structure, plant communities, and associated species. Management includes prescribed fire to mimic natural fire regimes that maintained the prairie historically. Appropriate grazing regimes replicate the role of bison in grassland ecology. The area provides critical habitat for multiple species at risk including grassland birds and plants. Monitoring programs track vegetation composition, wildlife populations, and ecosystem health. Climate change considerations include altered precipitation patterns, drought frequency, and invasive species pressure. Research at Rumsey informs grassland conservation across Alberta and beyond. The site serves as a genetic reservoir for native plant species increasingly rare elsewhere. Education initiatives highlight the importance and rarity of native grassland ecosystems. Rumsey demonstrates that conservation of large, intact ecosystems provides irreplaceable values for biodiversity, research, and education.