The Rankin property abuts the Big Ranch/Musil Conservation Area. This area represents the largest, uncultivated grassland habitat in the Elk Valley.

A quarter of this property consists of forest or mixed open forest/grassland including mature stand of lodgepole pine, trembling aspen and cottonwood. The remainder of the property contains a mosaic of native grassland plant communities (grass-herb-shrub). The grasslands are the major source of ungulate winter forage and important habitat for small mammals and birds. Class 2 winter range for elk and moose, class 3 summer range for muledeer and white-tailed deer. Badgers, (Red-listed) have multiple dens on this property.