April Newsletter

Newsletter - May 15, 2024

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TOPICS INCLUDE:

Tree for Life Program - Last Chance
Harvesting Rainwater
CCAP Update
Off-Site Watering: Benefits for Fish
Eco-Buffers
Watershed Wonders
Welcome to the Team - New Staff
Collegial Recognition

NEWSLETTER

May - 2024

Saskatchewan Tree for Life Program

The 2024 Saskatchewan Tree for Life Program is coming to an end for 2024! The Tree for Life Program began three years ago and continues to be an important part of SAW's programming. The program seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and raise funds to support water quality in our province.

Purchasing tree seedlings supports programming and projects that support healthy watersheds in Saskatchewan!

The Tree for Life Program will be accepting orders until May 17, 2024 – while supplies last!

Harvesting Rainwater

Have you ever heard the term “Harvesting Rainwater”? Usually, when we use the word “harvesting” it is associated with crops or gardens, and not rainwater. Harvesting rainwater includes collecting rainwater and storing it, or using it, rather than allowing it to run off. One of the most common methods of rainwater harvesting is collecting rain off a house roof into a rain barrel, or a tank.

Often, we concern ourselves with ensuring rainwater disappears as quickly as it falls. We create infrastructure – ditches, underground pipes, tile systems – to take the water away. We use a lot of funds and work hard to take water away, we also use a lot of funds and work hard to bring water in. But what if, instead of sending the water away, we capture it for later use?

In January, at the 16^th Annual SAW Conference, we had the pleasure of learning about harvesting rainwater from Brad Lancaster. Mr. Lancaster presented information about the potential of capturing rain as close as possible to where it falls, and some of the benefits of doing so. He also gave great examples, and showcased studies that talked about the benefits in his presentation. Mr. Lancaster talked about beneficial, generative infrastructure – a strategy that allows regenerative infrastructure to take root.

One way to do this – to create a strategy that allows for regenerative infrastructure – is to first change topography. An example of this would be to create small basins (also referred to as raingardens), and then plant native plants. By changing the topography, runoff from roofs, sidewalks, driveways, or roads can be captured and used to ensure water is available to the plants and the raingardens are allowed to become regenerative and sustainable. In the United States, 30% - 70% of potable water goes to irrigation. Through the creation of systems that could be used to harvest rainwater, there could be a 30% - 70% reduction in potable water consumption, because the need for irrigation is removed. There is also a significant reduction in flooding because the runoff is being stored, used, and infiltrates into the ground rather than sent down traditional water-removal systems. Other benefits include pollution infiltration, increase in soil life and health, as well as carbon sequestration.

Mr. Lancaster does an excellent job taking you through the journey of harvesting rainwater and provides examples and stories of how well this concept works. We invite you to click on the link below and watch his presentation.

View Brad Lancaster's Presentation Here!

Climate Change Adaptation Planning (CCAP) Project Update

SAW, with support from Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), is continuing to develop watershed-based climate change adaptation plans for Saskatchewan.

In Year 1 of the CCAP project, SAW held four community engagement meetings in the Northwest Watershed District, and the Northwest Watershed District Climate Change Adaptation Plan will be available this spring! SAW held three community engagement meetings in the Northeast Watershed District, with the final meeting in Yorkton on March 28, 2024.

SAW also completed one demonstration site and workshop at Aaron Gray’s farm near Langenburg, SK, where he showcased the Best Management Practices, or BMPs, that can be implemented by agriculture producers and communities, to help build resiliency to the impacts and effects of changing climatic conditions. Sharing on-the ground experiences and observations, like those on Aaron Grey’s operation, help us see the many benefits that implementing BMPs can provide. Using BMPs such as cover crops and rotational grazing, help maintain healthy soils and landscapes – which will be essential to adapting to a changing climate in the Canadian Prairies. There will be three demonstration sites and workshops in Year 2 of the CCAP project.

Planning for the Southeast Watershed District has begun. The first meeting will be held June 21, 2024 from 10:30 am - 3:30 pm at the Royal Canadian Legion in Weyburn. If you are interested in attending one of the meetings scheduled in the Southeast Watershed District, or have any questions related to the CCAP Project, please contact Samantha or Lydia for more information at ccap@saskwatersheds.ca

We are excited to share the first climate change adaptation demonstration video from this series. This video showcases a regenerative agriculture demonstration workshop and field day that was held on July 19, 2023, in Langenburg, Saskatchewan with producer, Aaron Gray.

Protecting Riparian Areas Benefits Livestock Operations and Fish Habitat

On many farm and ranch operations in Saskatchewan, livestock drink directly from fish-bearing waterbodies. However, landowners have realized this may not be best practice, as allowing livestock direct access to a waterbody to drink can damage riparian areas. Riparian areas act as a natural buffer for a waterbody by stabilizing streambanks, minimizing erosion, reducing sedimentation, and limiting nutrient deposition, which are critical for maintaining good water quality for livestock and healthy habitat for fish.

With funding provided by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, SAW will work with landowners in southwest Saskatchewan on Battle Creek and Rock Creek to implement projects including riparian area fencing and off-site watering systems. These projects help protect riparian areas, improving water quality for livestock and enhancing habitat for Plains Sucker and Plains Minnow, two native fish species that are considered threatened and listed on the Species at Risk Act.

For more information, or if you are interested in participating, please contact Ryder at r.rutko@saskwatersheds.ca or 306-774-2136.

Eco-Buffers: The New Type of Shelterbelt

For many years, we have used shelterbelts to protect our land and homes from strong Saskatchewan winds. Shelterbelts incorporate trees and shrubs planted in multiple, linear rows. Taking this concept one-step further, ecological buffers (or eco-buffers), are designed to mimic natural forest habitat. An eco-buffer is a new type of shelterbelt design that is more structurally complex – they integrate native trees and shrubs in a narrow, dense, more natural arrangement, with a greater number of species than a traditional shelterbelt.

When designed well, an eco-buffer provides protection from the wind and trap snow. Once established, eco-buffers have little to no maintenance, they are self-regulating, resilient, and self-sustainable. When designing an eco-buffer, there are several factors to consider.

For example:

· Plant species that are native to the area

· Use a variety of fast and slow growing plant species

· Fruit plants

· Use a variety of trees and shrubs that grow at different heights

· Establish connectivity to existing habitat (when possible).

Eco-buffers provide great habitat for wildlife, including pollinators. Pollinators (such as butterflies, bees, bats and even birds) are important for crop growth and gardens. Most of the crops we grow and the food we eat rely on pollinators. The use of native species, and several different species, in an eco-buffer provide the habitat pollinators need. For wildlife, eco-buffers provide an important corridor connecting different landscapes, as well as food and shelter.

For more information about Eco-Buffers, please use the link below.

Click Here for More Information

Watershed Wonders Kits

Watershed Wonder Kits are the Saskatchewan Association of Watersheds (SAW) core educational awareness and programming for youth and the public across Saskatchewan. The kits - which are free to borrow - are an educational resource for teachers to incorporate into their lesson planning, for families that are homeschooling, for club activities and outdoor camps. They are designed for children ages 6-13, and contain a variety of interactive and educational activities to help children learn about watersheds. Currently, the kits are located throughout the province in Moose Jaw, Swift Current, Regina, and Saskatoon.

From funding support from the City of Saskatoon, SAW has developed a brand new kit called Adventure Awaits. This kit is comprised of 10 backpacks that contain all the materials needed for a nature walk. They are meant to be taken outside on an outdoor adventure. Included are supplies for children and families to birdwatch with binoculars, pond dip, and make their own plant artwork. All activities are outlined in the accompanying adventure guide.

For more information, visit our website, or contact Jory Cadman, SAW’s Watershed Education Coordinator at education@saskwatersheds.ca

Click Here for More Information

Welcome to the Team!!

Martha Shareski

Administrative Assistant

Martha is SAW's administrative assistant, with years of experience in administration, graphic design, and management. Born and raised in Moose Jaw, she recently moved back after studying and working in Toronto for 5 years, obtaining a Bachelor of Design and work experience in her field.

She is excited to join SAW's team and to contribute to the important, impactful work of the organization. Outside of work, Martha enjoys working on her art, watching movies, and spending time with her cat.

May Collegial Recognition

Jory is a great team player, friendly and a hard worker. Jory has been working hard on hosting her event for Caring for our Watersheds, which was a huge success for the students that took place provincially. Jory is knowledgeable and excels within her role as the Education Coordinator.