Future of native grasslands in doubt – interview with Trevor Herriot
Radio Canada International has posted an interview with the naturalist and Saskatchewan writer Trevor Herriot about the uncertain future of the native prairie grasslands found on former PFRA community pastures. One of my images of a stallion running through a prairie with sage brush was used as a page opener for the story posted on RCI web site. During the interview, Trevor spoke eloquently about the state of native prairie in Saskatchewan and all the wildlife that depends on the remaining large tracts of grasslands found on the former Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA)...
Read MoreDramatic storm cloud passing through the Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan
Dramatic shelf cloud formation on the leading edge of a rain storm passing through the West Block of Grasslands National Park. Val Marie, Saskatchewan. Back to the Grasslands National Park photo gallery.
Read MoreCalgary Zoo to begin a captive breeding program for Greater Sage Grouse
Greater Sage Grouse populations are at critically low numbers in Canada. The estimated population size is less than 100 birds, most of them can be found in the grasslands of southwest Saskatchewan and southeast Alberta. In December of 2013, Environment Canada published the first ever Emergency Order under the Species at Risk Act to protect the Greater Sage Grouse on crown lands (see the related post, A step in the right direction). Later that month, Environment Canada released a proposal for the Amended Recovery Strategy for this species. There have been previous attempts to...
Read MoreSaskatchewan grasslands in peril – an illustrated talk
If you happen to be in Saskatoon today, come down to the Public Library – I will be presenting an illustrated talk titled: Saskatchewan Grasslands – a Vanishing Landscape? Friday, January 24, 2014 at 2 pm Frances Morrison Public Library in Saskatoon, 311 – 23rd Street East This event is open to the general public and I will be happy to see you in the crowd. Here is the official promo piece: Temperate grasslands are one of the most altered and modified landscapes in the world. In North America, 80% of the grasslands have been converted (only ~20% remain). Recent estimates...
Read MoreSunset in Frenchman River Valley, Val Marie PFRA pasture
Sunset over prairie in Frenchman River Valley at Val Marie PFRA community pasture, Saskatchewan. Val Marie PFRA is the largest community pasture in Saskatchewan, containing over 41,256 hectares (101,946 acres) of magnificent native prairie. Frenchman River flows through the pasture, with rugged valley slopes adding to it’s photographic appeal. Return to the Saskatchewan photo gallery.
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Dr. Branimir Gjetvaj is a biologist and internationally published environmental photographer specializing in western Canadian landscapes. He leads photography workshops and photo tours, and gives public presentations on photography, natural history and conservation biology topics.