VIRTUAL LEARNING FOR COTTAGE COMMUNITIES THAT CARE ABOUT THEIR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
#1 - Monday February 28 @ 10am: A PANEL DISCUSSION ON PRAIRIE WETLAND CONSERVATION POLICIES.
Join as Amanda Cooper Team Lead for the Wetlands Unit with Alberta Environment and Parks, David Hay Acting Director with the Drainage and Water Rights Licensing Branch in Manitoba, and our Moderator Jeff Olson with the Citizens Environmental Alliance discuss the wetland policies in Alberta and Manitoba and what Saskatchewan could learn from their policies.
Monday Feb 28 @ 10 am:
#2 – From the Calling Lakes Ecomuseum:
EFFECTS OF FARMLAND DRAINAGE ON OUR ENVIRONMENT
Saskatchewan is the only province in Canada without a wetland policy.
Concerned citizens, researchers, farmers, ranchers, civil servants and environmentalist took the opportunity to attend a series of webinars in 2021 called 'Farmland Drainage and the Environment'. Speakers highlighted the extent and impacts of farmland drainage such as:
There is an estimated 2.4 million acres of farmland in Saskatchewan with illegal drainage. 90% of nutrients going into the Qu’Appelle River and causing toxic algae blooms has been traced to non-point sources like farmland drainage.
Wetland drainage increases mercury levels in downstream lakes.
Draining 50% of wetlands results in loss of wildlife habitat and disappearance of 74% of bird species. The Water Security Agency has proposed regulations that would allow 50% of wetlands to be drained and some parts of Saskatchewan already have 90% of wetland loss.
Every year 3.8 million tonnes of carbon are released by draining wetlands at a cost of $190 million annually. Wetlands play an important role recharging groundwater.
Webinars were all recorded and are available on CEA Youtube Channel.
SAVE THE DATE. The Citizens Environmental Alliance is holding their 3rd Annual Farmland Drainage and Environment Virtual Conference, February 28 to March 4, 2022.
The following topics will be discussed at these webinars:
· A Panel Discussion on Prairie Wetland Conservation Policies.
· “Why do we need more nature-friendly agriculture?”
· Panel discussion on economic development, law, ethics and land stewardship in farmland drainage practises in the prairies.
· “The role of prairie depressions in groundwater recharge.”
· “Does drainage pay?”
· An Update on the status of Farmland Drainage in Saskatchewan.
Speakers will address each of these topics during the course of the conference. For more information and to register please ctrl click on the link below.
CLEM is working with the Last Mountain Lake Stewardship Group to ensure the health of our lakes in southern Saskatchewan. We believe that working together is what is best for improving water quality. For more information, ctrl click on: www.lmlsg.ca/SAWS or visit our Facebook page.
#3 - Ducks Unlimited Canada- Saskatchewan
Conservation Easements (CEs) are legal tools to help you protect the natural areas on your land. Ducks Unlimited Canada CEs pay roughly 30% of fair market value. Your land may be eligible. Contact us to learn more at 1-866-252-DUCK or du_regina@ducks.ca or ctrl click on: https://loom.ly/OWzt9Jc
