May 2021 | Volume 13 Issue 5 |
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Good day grassland enthusiasts,
After the success of the virtual Native Prairie Restoration/Reclamation Workshop in February 2021, the planning committee is considering doing it again in 2022! We ask that past participants or those interested in attending complete this survey by June 4th, just to ensure there is interest in another virtual workshop before we start the planning process.
Our May Native Prairie Speaker Series presentation will be Phil Rose with the Alberta Conservation Association talking about sage grouse and grassland songbirds. You can register here! You can also register for the June webinar as well.
If you missed the April webinar, Sarah Semmler, who did an awesome presentation on native pollinators, the webinar recording can be found on our YouTube Channel!
And finally, we would like to thank our sponsors for their generous support: Camp Wolf Willow, EcoFriendly Sask, K+S Potash, Pembina Pipelines, Saskatchewan Cattlemen's Association, SaskEnergy, SaskPower, SaskTel, Wildlife Habitat Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada, as well as the continuous support of all the PCAP Partners.
Stay safe and take care!
Carolyn Gaudet, SK PCAP Manager
Ph. 306 352 0472
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Native Prairie Appreciation Week!
NPAW Webinars:
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PCAP Partner Spotlight...
SaskEnergy Incorporated
by Daniel Dietrich, Manager, Environmental Assessment
At SaskEnergy, we recognize the importance of Saskatchewan's natural landscapes. That is why we are excited to have recently joined the PCAP partnership.
When it comes to the importance of healthy grasslands for cattle grazing, the protection of culturally sensitive sites, or protecting habitat for rare grassland wildlife, SaskEnergy is committed to the care of these resources. SaskEnergy’s corporate policies, such as our environment and sustainability policy and our biosecurity policy, help us keep true to our commitments.
We understand the value that our provincial landscapes provide to the people of Saskatchewan. When routing, constructing, and operating our natural gas infrastructure, SaskEnergy does so in an environmentally responsible manner, helping to reduce our impact on the land, water, and wildlife. Recognizing the stewardship role we play as an organization with assets spread across the southern half of the province, SaskEnergy is also committed to working with landowners and stakeholders to help reduce the spread of invasive species through numerous initiatives, partnerships and research.
As part of project planning and development, we evaluate potential landscape impacts. Gas line route planning generally includes assessments of vegetation, land use and cultural sensitivities, potential invasive species, terrain, and wildlife habitat, to name a few. We use multiple data layers and tools within our GIS system to review routing options that will help limit impacts on land users and landscapes. Once a route is determined, we may conduct field assessments to further understand potential project impacts. This can include soil and vegetation assessments, wildlife and weed surveys as well as water resource assessments (e.g. wetlands and watercourses). Based on the findings of our assessment, construction is planned in a manner that minimizes disturbance to soil, vegetation, cultural sites, and wildlife.
Once projects are complete, SaskEnergy works with landowners/stakeholders to return the land back to its original use (e.g. native seed). In addition, when gas lines or other infrastructure are no longer required, we work with landowners/stakeholders to abandon these assets and return the land to its original use.
Supporting conservation and environmental organizations is another key aspect of our commitment to the land and the wildlife that calls it home. SaskEnergy partners with numerous organizations across Saskatchewan to help educate stakeholders and communities, protect sensitive landscapes, and restore landscapes that have been impacted. In addition, we are a proud partner on many research projects in Saskatchewan, ranging from remediation/restoration of industrial sites to provincial wildlife inventories.
SaskEnergy’s vision of “environmental sustainability and economic prosperity for future generations” aligns closely with what PCAP aims to achieve. We are proud to partner with PCAP and its member organizations and agencies as we work together to conserve native prairie and species at risk in Saskatchewan.
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PCAP Partner Initiatives
The Saskatchewan Burrowing Owl Interpretive Centre (SBOIC) has an online gift shop! They even have SBOIC masks, with their Burrowing Owl logo! Check it out here!
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SK PCAP Native Prairie Speaker Series
Plan to attend our May Native Prairie Speaker Series webinar!
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Save the date!
Topic: Bats
Speaker: Cory Olson, Alberta Community Bat Association
June 8th @ 12 PM MT
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May 12, 2021 @ 7 PM CST
May 17, 2021 @ 7 PM CST
May 26 & 27, 2021
May 31, 2021 @ 6:30 PM MST
June 5-6, 2021
Eagle Creek Regional Park, SK
World Migratory Bird Day
June 12, 2021
June 13-19, 2021
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Many of us car owners in SK will be receiving an unexpected SGI rebate in May, consider donating it to conserving grasslands for many future generations and species through the Field of Dreams initiative.
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2021/22 Speaker Series Supporting Sponsors
Camp Wolf Willow
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2021/22 Education Programs:
Presenting Sponsors:
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2021/22 Education Programs
Supporting Sponsors:
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Carolyn Gaudet, Editor, Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan Newsletter |
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SK PCAP gratefully acknowledges financial support in 2021-2022 from:
Camp Wolf Willow, Ducks Unlimited Canada, EcoFriendlySask.ca, Parks Canada - Grasslands National Park of Canada, Pembina Pipelines, Saskatchewan Cattlemen's Association, Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment - Fish and Wildlife Development Fund, SaskEnergy, SaskPower, SaskTel, University of Regina, University of Saskatchewan - College of Agriculture and Bioresources, Water Security Agency and Wildlife Habitat Canada.
SK PCAP gratefully acknowledges in-kind support for 2021-22 from:
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada - Science and Technology Branch, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Association, Environment Canada - Canadian Wildlife Service, Friends of the Royal Saskatchewan Museum, Friends of Wascana Marsh, Meewasin Valley Authority, Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan, Nature Conservancy Canada, Nature Saskatchewan, Parks Canada - Grasslands National Park, Prairie Wind & Silver Sage, Ranchers Stewardship Alliance Inc., Redberry Lake Biosphere Reserve, Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities, Saskatchewan Association of Watersheds, Saskatchewan Bison Association, Saskatchewan Burrowing Owl Interpretive Centre, Saskatchewan Cattlemen's Association, Saskatchewan Environmental Society, Saskatchewan Forage Council, Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment, Saskatchewan Ministry of Energy and Resources, Saskatchewan Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport, Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association, Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation, SaskEnergy, SaskOutdoors, SaskPower, Society for Range Management - Prairie Parkland Chapter, South of the Divide Conservation Action Program Inc., University of Regina, University of Saskatchewan - College of Agriculture and Bioresources.
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