BC Conservation Foundation contributed $10,000 in 2002 to the Nature Trust of BC to purchase and manage the 65 hectares “Rankin property,” which abuts Big Ranch. The property is the largest, uncultivated grassland habitat in the Elk Valley.
A quarter of the area consists of forest and mixed open forest/grassland including mature stands of Lodgepole Pine, Trembling Aspen and Cottonwood. Other areas of the property include native grasslands that are a source of winter forage for Elk, Moose, Mule Deer and White-Tailed Deer and smaller mammals and birds.