Hondo is part of a group of natural areas (including Otauwau and Saulteaux) used for botany research and study by the University of Alberta. Collectively, these sites represent a diversity of forest communities within easy access of Highway 2. Hondo Natural Area consists of a mosaic of undulating sand ridges and wet depressions with pine-lichen stands, mixed aspen-white spruce stands, black spruce-sphagnum fens, patterned fens and lake shoreline. The area provides excellent habitat for wildlife.