December Newsletter

Newsletter - December 15, 2023

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TOPICS INCLUDE:

Climate Change Adaptation Video
BMPs for fish and producers
Invasive Species Forum 2024
Education - Watershed Wonders
December Collegial Recognition
Upcoming Events
Job Opportunities

NEWSLETTER

December - 2023

Our Offices will be closed December 18, 2023 until January 2, 2024. Wishing you a wonderful and safe holiday season!

Adapting to a Changing Climate in Saskatchewan

SAW, with support from Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), is continuing to develop watershed-based climate change adaptation plans for Saskatchewan. SAW has held 3 engagement meetings in the Northwest watershed district. The next community engagement meeting in the northwest will be on December 15, 2023, 10:30-3:30, at the Alice Turner Library, Saskatoon. Planning for the Northeast watershed district has started, and our first meeting will be held on January 25, 2024 in Yorkton. Details will be announced soon and promoted on SAW's social media platforms. If you are interested in attending a meeting in the Northeast watershed district, please contact Samantha at ccap@saskwatersheds.ca.

Throughout the 3-year CCAP project, SAW will showcase 6 climate adaptation demonstration sites that have been developed and implemented for climate change adaptation Best Management Practices (BMPs) that rural and urban communities can adopt to reduce climate change impacts. Some examples of climate change adaptation BMPs include cover cropping management, rotational grazing systems, food forests, green infrastructure, floating wetlands, and others. This process will include demonstration field days which are organized for the public to tour and collect information. Professional videos will be completed at each demonstration site and will be uploaded to SAW’s website and social media platforms for the public to access.

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.

2024 Invasive Species Forum

The Invasive Species Centre of Canada is a nation-wide organization dedicated to preventing the introduction and spread of high-risk invasive species in Canada, including aquatic invasive species. It is a not-for-profit organization that provides a centre point for knowledge, technology, and education of invasive species. The organization’s vision is a Canada where land and water are protected from invasive species. The Invasive Species Centre values the connection with stakeholders, knowledge and technology that prevents invasive species from impairing Canada’s environment and economy.

The Invasive Species Centre of Canada will be hosting their annual online forum February 12-15, 2024. The theme for the forum is “Empowering Action”. The forum is an event where industry, government, non-profit and individuals learn, and talk about issues, research, prevention, and management of invasive species in Canada and the United States. There will be over 40 presentations delivered by Invasive Species experts in North America. For more information, be sure to check out the Invasive Species Centre website (link below).

Click Here for More Information

Best Management Practices:

Best for Producers and Species at Risk

Best Management Practices – or BMPs – are the application of beneficial and practical practices for preventing and/or reducing negative modifications to the environment. Negative modifications could come from sources such as the runoff from a barnyard, corral, or agricultural cropland. A BMP could help decrease the negative impacts and could include practices such as soil testing or leaving a vegetation buffer adjacent to a creek or stream.

For example, using agronomic services to develop farm-specific nutrient management plans provides an opportunity for farmers to make important decisions about the formulation, rate, timing, and placement of fertilizer based on their soils and their operation. This in turn, will help save input costs for producers and prevents an influx of additional nutrients into waterways.

Through proper timing, intensity, and duration of grazing by livestock in riparian areas, wildlife habitat, and water quality can be protected. The riparian areas of streams, lakes and rivers are important for stabilizing the stream banks and shorelines, filtering impurities, trapping sediment, and regulating water temperatures. For some fish species, water temperatures regulate their spawning times. If temperatures are too warm, it could negatively impact the reproduction of fish. Fencing off or providing a watering system away from a water source, are examples of practices that can meet the objectives of BMPs. Protecting the riparian area is advantageous for ranchers, farmers, and even communities, because it protects the quality of water that we use to drink, wash, and grow our food.

Species at risk, such as the bigmouth buffalo, plains minnow, and mountain sucker, that live in streams and rivers throughout the province, greatly benefit from the implementation of BMPs. Relying on the water courses in our province, these fish populations can live and breed more successfully when their habitat is protected from degradation. Ultimately, BMPs help protect the quality of the water we use in our ever day lives.

There are programs available from the Government of Saskatchewan and SAW. Use the links below for more information.

For SAW Programs Click Here

For MOA Programs Click Here

Watershed Wonders

Watershed Wonders is a series of educational kits where kids can learn about the wet, wild, and wonderful world of their watershed. These kits were developed for students between the ages of 6-13+. However, any age group can use and enjoy the activities. SAW currently has “Beaver Trails and Cattails,” “My Watershed and Me,” and “Getting Our Feet Wet” kits in the Moose Jaw, Saskatoon, and Swift Current offices. Thanks to the generous funding from the City of Saskatoon, SAW is also excited to announce the launch of three new kits in the Saskatoon office. With the funding from the City of Saskatoon, SAW developed new versions of “Beaver Trails and Cattails” and “My Watershed and Me” and a brand-new kit called “Adventure Awaits.” “Adventure Awaits” is a set of ten adventure backpacks that can be borrowed by teachers, parents, and clubs for their next nature walk. If you are interested in borrowing a Watershed Wonders Kit or learning more, contact us at education@watersheds.ca or visit the SAW website.

Click Here for More Information

December

Collegial

Recognition!

Sierra has taken the lead on creating rotational grazing management plans and recognizes information that can be shared with the assigned coordinators to enable a smooth transition between the planning and application process for producers and staff. Sierra goes above and beyond to ensure excellent communication between staff members and producers. She works hard to create a supportive work environment for applications and reviews. Sierra’s inviting personality, professionalism, and agricultural knowledge are an asset during tradeshows. She is quick to engage with producers at trade shows as well as fellow staff members and attendees at conferences. Sierra’s dedication to delivering outstanding results for SAW and the PWCP has not gone unnoticed.

Upcoming Events

Click Here for More Information

Job Opportunities

Saskatchewan Association of Watersheds is hiring two positions - Administrative Assistant and Agri-Environmental Stewardship Coordinator (Southeast District).

Click Here for More Information

Meewasin Valley Authority is recruiting a seasonal Resource Management Field Coordinator. The incumbent will implement various resource management field programs including targeted grazing, prescribed fire, invasive species management, and ecological restoration throughout the Meewasin Valley.