Three large community pastures in SW Saskatchewan closer to protection
Great conservation news: Canadian (federal) and Saskatchewan governments officially announced a formal land exchange of three former PFRA community pastures: Nashlyn, Govenlock and Battle Creek. The agreement between the Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture will enable the federal and provincial governments to work together with local ranching and Indigenous communities to preserve Saskatchewan’s native grassland ecosystem. ECCC will manage the three pastures for the conservation of species at risk and...
Read MoreSaskatchewan election – vote for the grasslands
On the eve of the 2016 Saskatchewan election, it is disappointing to see that the environment and sustainable development have not been a serious topic of debate. We have heard almost nothing what the major political parties will do to safeguard our disappearing native prairie landscapes. The prairie ecosystem is one of the most altered and threatened in North America; only 20% of Saskatchewan’s native prairie remain, and in some areas, such as in the Regina Plains, there are less than 1% native prairie left. Even protected areas do not have a secure future, as a series of political measures...
Read MoreIan Toews’ Grasslands film screening in Saskatoon
Saskatoon audiences will have an opportunity to view the poetic documentary about Saskatchewan grasslands this week. The film, produced by Gemini award winning filmmaker Ian Toews, will be shown on big screen at the Frances Morrison Central Library theatre, 311 – 23rd Street East in Saskatoon on Thursday, April 16, 2015 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. There is no admission charge and everyone is invited; bring along a friend or two. Following the screening, author and naturalist Trevor Herriot will provide an update on the state of the province’s grassland, and the work of Public Pastures –...
Read MoreWorld Wildife Day – March 3, 2014
March 3, 2014 has been designated the first ever World Wildlife Day by the United Nations. It is an opportunity to celebrate our planet’s incredible variety of animals and plants, and to raise awareness about the need for global conservation of all living creatures on our planet. This day was chosen as the World Wildlife Day as it was on this day the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was adopted. The Convention plays an important role in ensuring that international trade does not threaten the species’ well being. Here is a...
Read MoreGreater Sage Grouse emergency protection order takes effect
In December of 2013, the Canadian government announced an emergency order to enhance protection of the critically endangered Greater Sage Grouse . The order would restrict certain types of industrial activity (like gravel, oil or gas extraction, construction of new roads etc.) during important parts of the Sage Grouse’s life cycle and adopting land use practices in areas near the Sage Grouse habitat that could impact the dwindling populations. The emergency protection order came into effect today. I wrote about the Greater Sage Grouse emergency protection order in a previous blog...
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