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 MoreIslands of Grass – conserving Canada’s native grasslands
Mark your calendars for March 28, 2019: you are invited to a public talk “Islands of Grass: Getting native grasslands on Canada’s conservation radar” that I will be presenting together with Saskatchewan writer and naturalist Trevor Herriot. We have been invited to give an evening keynote at the School of Environment and Sustainability (SENS) graduate student research symposium. This plenary talk is open to the public, and all are welcome to attend. Date: March 28, 2019 Time: 5:30 p.m. Location: Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Saskatoon East – University (in the “High Up Above...
Read MoreGrasslands on Canada’s top 10 endangered places list
The National Trust for Canada (NTC) has released today its latest Top 10 Endangered Places at Risk. NTC is a national charity that leads action to save historic places of cultural and natural significance. The organization’s goal is to inspire Canadians to identify and celebrate their heritage landmarks, cultural landscapes and communities, and conserve them for present and future generations. Two prairie landmarks made the top 10 list: Saskatchewan’s grasslands and wooden grain elevators. These places that define identity, community spirit and a sense of belonging are slowly eroding due to...
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 MoreJane’s Walk 2016 – nature photography at Northeast Swale
I will lead a nature photography walk to Meewasin’s Northeast Swale. This guided photo walk is part of the 2016 Jane’s Walk festival taking place in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. We will focus out lenses on wild critters and details in nature found on a beautiful prairie landscape along the northeast edge of town. Date: Saturday, May 7, 2016 Time: 7 – 8 p.m. Jane’s Walk is a global movement of neighbour-led walking tours inspired by urbanist Jane Jacobs. The idea behind Jane’s Walk is quite simple: encourage people to walk, talk to their neighbours and build a community based on diversity. The...
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