Throughout the winter we’ll be highlighting the folks who took part in our Grassland Conservation Champions Program in 2025. First up is Arron Nerbas!

Arron is a beef producer in Shellmouth, MB. He owns and operates Nerbas Bros Angus, alongside his brother and his parents. Located along the Manitoba escarpment by the Assiniboine River, their property includes a patchwork of different landscapes and elevations.  

The dry, flat pastures at the top of the escarpment provide important grassland habitat for the Sprague’s Pipit, a species at risk. Listed as a Threatened species both provincially and federally, the Sprague’s Pipit is a grassland specialist and requires very specific habitat like the native prairie provided by Arron’s property. Their lovely cascading flight song can be heard coming from the sky, as they perform their aerial display far above the grassland. These pastures also provide habitat for other grassland species such as the Grasshopper Sparrow and Short-eared Owl.  

As you move towards the river, the landscape shifts into rolling hills and aspen bluffs. In these areas, a variety of bird species can be found – Western Meadowlarks, Vesper Sparrows, Black-billed Cuckoos, and Northern Flickers just to name a few. Down in the river valley, the wetter terrain brings different species including Black Terns and Red-winged Blackbirds.  

Arron is enthusiastic about providing diverse habitat and managing his livestock in a way that supports the health of the land and promotes biodiversity. Arron hosts a podcast with Amy Hughes called Think Outside The Fence, which aims to inspire positive change in agriculture. 

Thank you to Arron for being a Conservation Champion!