About

Current Activities

The Hanen Society is focussed on the conservation of the Society's ranch in the Pekisko valley, employing best practices in managing native grassland and riparian areas.

The Hanen Society supports a number of worthy conservation projects in the region including grassland, forest and riparian area enhancement; education of industry, the public and land stewards in such efforts; as well as efforts to improve land management practices.

The Society is most interested in projects that are underway or ready to proceed with clear and measurable objectives.

History

The Hanen Society was founded by Zahava Hanen in 1993. Zahava was keenly intersted in the conservation and restoration of the natural grasslands situated on the eastern slopes of the Canadian Rockies and their heritage of sustaining the buffalo herds and the first nations who coexisted with the buffalo and grass. Zahava spent much of her life working to ensure that industrial impacts on these lands were moderated and development practices improved to ensure the grasslands and the flora and fauna that depended on them would survive and flourish.

Zahava Hanen, Founder

Zahava Photo
Link to Zahava Hanen Fonds at Glenbow (U of C)

Recent Grants

2024 15 Year Total
Trout Unlimited   150,000
Nature Trust BC 100,000 150,000
Golden Rod and Gun 12,000 12,000
Oldman Watershed 30,000 320,000
Alberta Tomorrow 20,000 340,000
Cows and Fish 35,000 220,000
Grassland Restoration Forum 33,000 236,470
Other   434,500
Total 230,000 1,946,470

Replacing hanging culverts and fenland restoration

half culvert fenland resto

Trout Unlimited work is focussed on the reconnection of the Whispering Pines Creek in the Waiparous area through the installation of open bottom arches in relacement of hanging culverts at road crossings to allow upstream fish migration and natural downstream flow. Work also includes fen restoration to remediate channeling caused by off road vehicles.

Ungulate habitat enhancement

bull river map

Nature Trust BC and Golden Rod and Gun Club projects focus on ungulate habitat enhancement at Bull River and the Kickinghorse Canyon through thinning of overgrown forests and encouragement of natural grassland and brush development.

Work with the Oldman Watershed Council is focussed on building bridges and offstream watering troughs as well as rehabilitating riparian areas.

Alberta Tomorrow projects include landuse simulation software development and 360 virtual tours of Alberta's natural regions with a focus on classroom education.

Cows and Fish projects (including work with Southern Alberta Land Trust Society) involve landowner engagement with innovative grass and riparian health practices as well as completion of riparian health assessments and inventories.

Grassland Restoration Forum develops targeted grazing monitoring methods, recovery strategies for native grassland adversely impacted by industrial development, and watershed resiliency and restoration outreach workshops.

Directors and Officers

Jamie Blair

2008 to present
Chairman of the Board and President

Matt Blair

2017 to present
Director and Treasurer

Jeff Screen

2024 to present
Director

Tim Swinton

2010 to present
Director

Kip Woodward

2010 to present
Director