BirdWatch Canada cover and article about the PFRA pastures
A few months ago Saskatchewan author Laura Stewart wrote an article about the plight of PFRA community pastures which was published in the Briarpatch magazine. A few of my images were selected to illustrate the story. Laura recently wrote a cover story for the fall issue of BirdWatch Canada magazine titled “Prairie Grasslands in Peril?” The magazine publishes feature articles about the world of birds. Laura Stewart eloquently discusses the threats to grassland birds through recent changes in the type of use and management of prairie grasslands, including changes to and...
Read MoreA step in the right direction: endangered Greater Sage Grouse to be protected by an emergency order
After many months of inaction and a few lost court cases, (see also news item about a court order requiring the government to designate critical habitat under the Species at Risk Act), the federal Environment Minister Leona Aglukkaq announced today that an emergency order to protect an endangered species Greater Sage Grouse will be issued in the coming months. The order will impose restrictions on development and industrial activities to protect the Sage Grouse and its habitat on provincial and federal Crown lands in Alberta and Saskatchewan. The proposed restrictions will not affect...
Read MoreCanadian Parks and Wilderness Society – 50 years of caring for the wilderness
A celebratory news The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) is launching a special ‘Week for the Wild’ from October 21-26, 2013 to celebrate the 50th anniversary as Canada’s leading national voice for parks and wilderness. CPAWS 50th Anniversary Cocktail Reception – October 23, 2013 As part of these celebrations, CPAWS will host a cocktail reception at the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa on October 23rd from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., featuring the presentation of the prestigious Harkin Conservation Award to this year’s recipients. The Harkin Award honours individuals who have...
Read MoreCanada Parks Day & State of Canada’s Parks report
It was Canada’s Parks Day this weekend. This is an annual event where thousands of Canadians participate in educational and family-oriented events. Activities are organized in national parks, national historic sites, provincial parks, territorial parks and in community and regional parks across the country. Canada’s Parks Day is usually celebrated on the third Saturday in July of every year. Another, related event is the annual release of a report by the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) on the ecological health and status of our parks, both federal and provincial....
Read MoreArticle about PFRA community pastures by Laura Stewart
Saskatchewan singer, song-writer and author Laura Stewart wrote a passionate and reflective article about the PFRA community pastures for the latest edition of Briarpatch magazine. A few of my images were used to illustrate the story. Here are a few excerpts from the article titled A voice for the grasslands: The struggle for an endangered prairie ecosystem. “My first such assignment (.. survey of plant species..) in a PFRA pasture was 15 years ago. So powerful and overwhelming was that meeting with vastness and vibrant prairie life that the sensations come back to me at...
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