Hanna area landowner Gottlob Schmidt has donated 380 hectares (940) acres to the province of Alberta
to create the new Antelope Hill Provincial Park. photo courtesy province of Alberta.
A landowner in the Hanna area has gifted his family’s land to the province of Alberta.
Gottlob Schmidt’s donation of 380 hectares, or 940 acres, of undisturbed native grasslands will create the new Antelope Hill Provincial park.
The land is located about 10 kilometres north of Hanna.
“I’m very happy to make this donation to the province and the people of Alberta.” said Schmidt.
“I’ve lived on this land since 1933, and my wish is to preserve the land in its natural state for future generations to enjoy.”
Mr. Schmidt will continue living on the land he gifted.
The province said it plans to open the new park for public use, and manage the land in accordance with the wishes of Mr. Schmidt, when he decides to leave.
The province rates the land as having high ecological value, because it has never been cultivated.
The land contains rare native grasslands, aspen groves and healthy wetlands, and is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, elk, and a ground squirrel species found only in the grasslands of North America.
Antelope Hill will become Alberta’s 76th provincial park.
The province says it will be manage the park for wildlife purposes and use for low-impact recreation such as hiking.
