June Newsletter

Newsletter - June 14, 2024

Please consider viewing this email in your web browser or adding us to your address book for an optimal viewing experience.

TOPICS INCLUDE:

Aquatic Invasive Species
Microplastics and Ecosystems
CCAP Update
The Value of Pollinators
Caring for Our Watershed
Welcome to the Team - New Staff
Collegial Recognition

NEWSLETTER

June - 2024

Aquatic Invasive Species:

Be on the Lookout!

After a long winter and spring, the summer season is here! Already, the lakes and rivers are busy with activity – fishing, kayaking, canoeing, waterskiing, swimming, and a variety of other fun activities. This also means Saskatchewan waterbodies are going to be monitored for aquatic invasive species (AIS). SAW has partnered with the Saskatchewan Fish and Wildlife Development Fund and the Water Security Agency to monitor over 40 waterbodies across Saskatchewan for invasive quagga and zebra mussels.

Zebra and quagga mussels, both native to southeastern Europe, can cause significant damage to waterbodies once established. When these invasive mussels invade a body of water, they ravenously feed on phytoplankton and zooplankton, removing an important food source for native species. They will also attach to native mussels, weaken them, and kill them. Large colonies of quagga and zebra mussels will occupy habitat used by fish for spawning, making them unusable. Threats to human use include clogging water intake lines, encrusting boats and docks left in the water and even clog boat motors. Once invasive mussels become established in a waterbody it is almost impossible to eradicate them. Early detection is a vital component in preventing the spread of these invasive mussel species.

Members of the SAW team will be collecting samples this summer to test for the presence of veligers. Veligers are the free-swimming larval form of mussels and are not visible to the naked eye. Preventing the spread of zebra and quagga mussels also comes from carefully cleaning and drying all water recreation equipment – including fishing line, nets, buckets, and even snorkeling gear. Cleaning, draining, drying your boat, trailer and all gear is essential to keeping Saskatchewan waters mussel-free. The Ministry of Environment is working hard to prevent invasive mussels from entering Saskatchewan waters. “Pull the Plug” is a campaign, that follows the law of removing the drain plug while transporting watercraft. For more information, visit their website.

Click Here for More Information

Microplastic Impacts on Canadian Ecosystems

For many years now, plastics in the environment has been a hot topic. We have seen the images of turtles or birds with plastic wrapped around appendages. We have seen the images of large amounts of plastic that comes out of the ocean. We know that macroplastics (the large pieces of plastic) are causing issues around the world. Over the last 15 years, the world has produced half of the plastics ever made, and this amount is predicted to double by the year 2050. Plastic is light, strong, flexible, and cheap to produce – some of the reasons why it is so widely used. It has also been important in the modernization of medicine, space travel and cars, safety (helmets), and so much more. When plastic is put out into the environment, it takes a very long time to break down – hundreds of years even. As it breaks down, it breaks down into smaller particles known as microplastics (pieces of plastic less than 5mm).

During the 2024 SAW Conference, Dr. Ryan Prosser, from the University of Guelph shared his research and findings on the impact of microplastics in the environment. There is conflicting information about the effects of microplastics, so Dr. Prosser and his team are committed to providing excellent, solid science.

Dr. Prosser and his team looked how freshwater fluttedshell mussels (Lasmigona costata) were impacted. These mussels filter massive amounts of water each day, and do not move very far. This assisted the team to be able to sample different populations of mussels in the same waterbody. Samples of mussels were taken from the Grand River of Ontario, upstream and downstream of wastewater facilities. The team opens the mussels, removes all organic tissue, and filter it to isolate microplastics. They look at each piece of plastic for film, fiber and colour to help determine the source of the pieces. In this study, they found that 71% of the mussels sampled had 1-7 pieces of microplastics in them. They also found there was not a lot of difference in samples taken upstream versus downstream.

The next question they wanted to start answering was whether microplastics impacted the health of invertebrates. For this study, they looked at larval and juvenile mussels and used different shapes, sizes, and types of plastic. They found that the viability and survival of the larvae and juvenile mussels did not change and there was no adverse effect.

Next, they looked at a type of freshwater worm, emergent insect (mayfly) and a gastropod and found there to be no impact. They looked at the soil – earthworms, springtails, ants, and millipedes – and found there to be no impact. They also looked at plants, and whether microplastics would inhibit their growth or their relationship with fungus – and found there to be no impact.

Although the results of Dr. Prosser’s studies seem to be quite positive, he does point out that more work needs to be done.

To view Dr. Prosser’s presentation, please use the link below.

View Dr. Prosser'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 community engagement meetings in the Northwest and Northeast Watershed Districts. The Northwest Watershed District Climate Change Adaptation Plan is completed and will be available on the SAW website soon!

Planning for the Southeast Watershed District has started. The first community engagement meeting will be held on June 21, 2024, in Weyburn at the Royal Canadian Legion (150 3^rd Street NE, Weyburn, SK).

SAW will also host three demonstration site and workshops during Year 2 of the project. More details about the demonstration sites will be shared soon.

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.

What do Minnows Eat, Anyways?

Plains Sucker (Pantosteus jordani) and Plains Minnow (Hybognathius placitus) are small fish species that live in shallow creeks and streams in Southwest Saskatchewan. Unfortunately, both species are habitat limited, and considered threatened and listed on the Species at Risk Act. One way to sustain populations of these fish is to ensure that existing habitat is healthy and abundant with the foods they prefer.

The Plains Sucker and Plains Minnow each have a unique feeding strategy. The Plains Sucker has a mouth specialized for eating filamentous algae on the bottom of a creek. Plains Minnow, on the other hand, eat decaying plant and animal matter throughout the water column. Although these two species feed differently, both require an abundance of food and healthy habitat to live in Southwest Saskatchewan.

With funding provided by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, SAW will be working with landowners to implement projects including riparian area restoration, 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.

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

The Value of Pollinators for Trees

Plants, including trees, play an important role in our environment. Carbon sequestration, river and streambank stabilization, temperature control, wildlife habitat, medicine, and food are a few of the important role’s trees play. Most tree species rely on pollinators to reproduce, flower and produce seeds and fruit.

When we think of pollinators, we often think of honeybees; however, pollinator species aren’t limited to honeybees. Bumble bees, wasps, bats and some bird species are pollinators. According to a study done in 2023 by the National Science Review, 90% of plants that flower rely on pollinators for reproduction.

When a pollinator species visits a tree’s flowers for food, they brush up against the male (stamen) or female (pistil) parts of the flower, picking up and depositing pollen from flower to flower. This allows the plant to become fertilized so that it can produce seeds, fruits, and new plants.

Pollinators face several obstacles that have created a decline in their populations. Activities that help support an increase in pollinator populations, include:

Planting clusters of native, flowering plants (flower gardens, window boxes, roadsides).
Reducing or eliminating the use of pesticides.
Initiating shelterbelt planting projects.

Pollinators are generally small, but they are mighty and play an important role in our everyday lives. Trees that provide food, sequester carbon, support wildlife and clean air rely on pollinators to do their jobs. Providing pollinator habitat is worth the effort towards a sustainable future. We encourage you to visit the website below to learn more.

Click Here for More Information

Caring for Our Watershed

Winners Announced!

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.

June Collegial Recognition

Robin is a valuable member of the SAW team. She is friendly, knowledgeable, and a team player. Her knowledge of the agriculture industry makes her relatable to the producers that she works with for the Prairie Watersheds Climate Program. She works hard to help producers navigate the PWCP application process, as well as helping out with other SAW programs and events when asked. Keep up the great work Robin!