Thickwood Hills National Wildlife Area
The Thickwood Hills National Wildlife Area (NWA) is approximately 32 kilometers (km) northwest of Blaine Lake, Saskatchewan. The NWA lies at the boundary between the Aspen Parkland and Boreal Transition eco-regions.
Description
Thickwood Hills NWA lies within the scenic Thickwood Hills region of central Saskatchewan. Portions of the site were homesteaded in the early 20th century and were naturalized mid-to-late 20th century. The NWA is characterized by a complex network of wetlands mixed with dense poplar forests and grassy meadows. The site provides excellent habitat for both boreal and aspen parkland ecological communities. Protecting this special blend of communities is crucial to broader regional conservation due to widespread aspen deforestation in the area.
Wetlands at Thickwood Hills NWA provide habitat for nesting waterfowl and other wetland birds while playing host to many other mammals, amphibians, plants, fungi, and insects. Woodland and grassy meadows on site provide excellent nesting habitat for both arboreal and grassland birds while cultivating a rich biodiversity of other woodland and shrubby grassland communities. In spring, the NWA is lively with the sounds of ruffed grouse drumming, displaying grebes, and choruses of frogs. If you’re lucky you may even see a group of otters bobbing through the marsh!
Species of birds observed in the area include:
- red-necked grebe
- ruffed grouse
- lesser yellowlegs
- yellow warbler
- great horned owl
- white-throated sparrow
- least flycatcher
- song sparrow
- common raven
Mammals observed in the area include:
- moose
- American black bear
- river otter
- beaver
- muskrat
- red squirrel
Amphibians and reptiles observed in the area include:
- northern leopard frog
- boreal chorus frog
- wood frog
- red-sided garter snake
Plants observed in the area include:
- wood lily
- soapberry (Canada buffaloberry)
- fireweed
- paintbrush
- pink pyrola (Pink wintergreen)
- common bladderwort
- blue giant-hyssop (giant hyssop)
- autumn dwarf-gentian (northern gentian)
Find more information on Thickwood Hills NWA in the summary below.
Management
Under the Canada Wildlife Act, NWAs are protected and managed in accordance with the Wildlife Area Regulations. The primary purpose of NWAs is to protect and conserve wildlife and wildlife habitat. For this purpose and according to the legislation, all activities in a NWA that could interfere with the conservation of wildlife can be prohibited. Some activities may be authorized through Schedule I.1 of the Wildlife Area Regulations or the issuance of permits as long as they are consistent with habitat conservation and/or the management plan goals for the NWA. For more information, consult the NWA Management and Activities section.
Any authorized activities are listed in Schedule I.1 of the Wildlife Area Regulations; signage is also posted at access points.
Authorized activities listed in Schedule I.1 of the Wildlife Area Regulations for Thickwood Hills NWA:
- Wildlife viewing;
- Hiking;
- Non-commercial berry picking; and
- Sport hunting — including with dogs off-leash when hunting migratory game birds or upland game birds — without a commercial guide, from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset if the hunting is carried out
- in accordance with any applicable federal permit and any authorization required by the laws of Saskatchewan for sport hunting in that province; and
- without the use of toxic shot.
More information on access and permitting for Thickwood Hills NWA can be obtained by contacting the Environment and Climate Change Canada regional office.
Map of the area
Long description
This map shows the central region of Saskatchewan. The boundaries of Thickwood Hills National Wildlife Area (NWA) are indicated. A small inset map situates the NWA in relation to Alberta, Northwest territories, Nunavut, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the United States of America. Cropland, water, forest and shrubland, grasslands and barren ground are depicted on the map.
This map is for illustrative purposes only. It should not be used to define legal boundaries.
Summary
Protected Area designation
National Wildlife Area
Province/territory
Saskatchewan
Latitude/longitude
52.95 N 107.17 W
Size
298.6 Hectares
Reason for creation of protected area
To protect wetland, boreal transition, and migratory bird habitat and species at risk habitat.
Designation date (Gazetted)
2025
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Management Category
Habitat/Species Management Area (IV)
Additional designations
None
Keystone or flagship species
- ruffed grouse
- wood frog
- wood lily
Main habitat type
- wetlands
- aspen forest
- grassy meadow
Listed species under the Species at Risk Act (SARA)
- common nighthawk
- evening grosbeak
- northern leopard frog
Additional links
None
Main threats and challenges
Non-contiguous parcels make the site vulnerable to surrounding landscape change. Access to the site is limited due to weather conditions inhibiting dirt road access.
Management agency
Environment and Climate Change Canada (Canadian Wildlife Service)
Public access and usage
Authorized activities listed in Schedule I.1 of the Wildlife Area Regulations for Thickwood Hills NWA:
- Wildlife viewing;
- Hiking;
- Non-commercial berry picking; and
- Sport hunting — including with dogs off-leash when hunting migratory game birds or upland game birds — without a commercial guide, from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset if the hunting is carried out
- in accordance with any applicable federal permit and any authorization required by the laws of Saskatchewan for sport hunting in that province; and
- without the use of toxic shot.
Note: If there is a discrepancy between the information presented on this web page, any notice posted at the NWA site and the law, the law prevails, as it is the legal instrument authorizing the activity.
Contact us
Environment and Climate Change Canada - Prairie Region
Canadian Wildlife Service
115 Perimeter Road
Saskatoon SK S7N 3T5
Toll-Free: 1-800-668-6767 (in Canada only)
Email: enviroinfo@ec.gc.ca