Napier Lake Ranch

Napier Lake Ranch spreads across a vast expanse of native grassland in BC’s Nicola Valley. Where the land gently rolls, swaths of tall grasses blow in the breeze, making the evidence of the abundance of birds and other small animals that flourish here. Easier to spot are the hawks and falcons that circle in the sky above, searching for the movement in the waving grasses below. Steep slopes give way to cliffs and rock outcrops, a favourite habitat for hibernating snakes and bats. Pockets of trembling aspen woodlands grow in the gullies on the property, providing shade and niche habitat for wildlife.

Situated in the heart of the Nicola Valley, Napier Lake Ranch occupies an important transition zone from mild-elevation grasslands to Douglas-fir forests, linking a variety of habitats that provide movemnet corridors for animals shifting between summer and winter ranges.

The ranch is strategically located along a flyway for many species of birds. It connects to other conservation properties both to the north and south across the Douglas Plateau–a large area designated as an Important Bird Area, noted for its diversity.

Napier Lake Ranch is an exceptional piece of a rare ecosystem complex that is rapidly disappearing in British Columbia.