Porcupine Hills facts for kids

The Porcupine Hills are cool natural areas found in the prairie provinces of Canada. These hills are special because they are home to different types of plants and animals, and they play an important role in the local environment.

Porcupine Hills in Manitoba and Saskatchewan

One set of Porcupine Hills is located in the Canadian provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba. These hills are part of a larger landform called the Manitoba Escarpment. This escarpment was once the edge of a huge ancient lake called Lake Agassiz. This lake was formed by melting glaciers a very long time ago.

Where are the Manitoba-Saskatchewan Hills?

These hills are found northwest of a town called Swan River, Manitoba. They are also the starting point, or "headwaters," for the Swan River. This means the river begins its journey in these hills.

What is the Highest Point?

The highest point in the Porcupine Hills of Manitoba and Saskatchewan is Hart Mountain. It stands tall at 823 meters (about 2,700 feet) above sea level. This makes it the second-highest point in all of Manitoba! The area around these hills is protected as the Porcupine Provincial Forest.

Porcupine Hills in Alberta

There is another area also known as the Porcupine Hills in southern Alberta. These hills got their name because of the many Douglas-fir and pine trees that grow on their tops.

What Kind of Nature is There?

This region in Alberta is very diverse. It includes different types of natural areas:

• Montane and Subalpine Forests: These are forests found at higher elevations, with trees like fir and pine.
• Aspen Parkland: This is a mix of forests and grasslands, with lots of aspen trees.
• Prairie Grassland: These are wide-open areas covered in grasses.

This variety of habitats means that many different kinds of plants and animals can live in the Porcupine Hills.