February 2026 | Volume 18 Issue 2 | |
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Happy February, Grassland Enthusiasts!
I recently started listening to a podcast called "OK.. But Birds" hosted by Dr. Scott Taylor out of Bolder Colorado. In episode 2, he interviewed Dr. John Fitzpatrick from Cornell University and around the 9 minute mark, Dr. Fitzpatrick talks about the losses of grassland birds, and how waterfowl have increasing. He goes on to explain how there were heavy investments in wetland habitats and they became protected. If you invest where the birds need, the populations respond positively. I feel like it's pretty well known, but it's nice to hear it presented so succinctly.
The International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP) monthly theme for February is 'Mobility, land and water security'. In February we will have the first IYRP book club, discussing All the Pretty Horses on February 25th at 12 PM CST. Register here.
Keep an eye out for events and resources celebrating grasslands on this Trello board.
As prairies are in the spotlight this year, the 2026 Prairie Conservation and Endangered Species Conference is occurring May 5 - 7, 2026 in Saskatoon, SK. Make sure to check out the tours and workshops that are also available. There's also more information about available Grants and Awards below and on the website. The Early-bird Registration deadline is February 12th! Spots are limited so register early! The draft program is available. You can find more information here: prairiecesc.ca.
Our January Native Prairie Speaker Series was about Long-billed Curlews. You can find the recording on YouTube. The February webinar will be about Swift Fox! Register here.
Also, Caitlin has lined up an amazing set of webinars for Prairie's Got the Goods Week! You can register for those presentations already! You can check them out here.
And finally, we would like to thank our sponsors for their generous support: Innovation Credit Union, K+S Youth+Us, North American Helium, Pembina, Ranchers Stewardship Alliance Inc., TC Energy, Wildlife Habitat Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada, as well as the continuous support of all the PCAP Partners!
We hope you will join us to celebrate grasslands and those who care for them throughout the year!
Starting in April, we will be trying a new Newsletter distribution method. We will be importing our contact list from Constant Contact, so hopefully you'll continue to get our newsletter.
Carolyn Gaudet, SK PCAP Manager
pcap@sasktel.net
| International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists! | Check out the SK Working Group's Trello board for upcoming International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists events and range-related content. You can find the Trello board for Canadian Resources here. You can find more global information at the official IYRP website: https://iyrp.info/ | Register here for the first IYRP Virtual Book Club. | |
Fast Approaching: Early-bird Registration Deadline for the 14th Prairie Conservation and Endangered Species Conference
This dynamic gathering brings together researchers, government and NGO staff, Indigenous and ranching communities, and conservation practitioners from across the prairies. Whether you’re working in the field, managing policy, or leading grassroots initiatives — PCESC is your place to connect, learn, and share.
🌟 Register now and save !
The Early-bird Deadline is February 12th!
Your conference registration includes:
✅ Evening Reception to kick-off the event
✅ Inspiring Keynotes & Breakout Sessions (Draft Program available online!)
✅ Poster Session & Tradeshow
✅ Banquet & Awards Night
In addition to the regular PCESC events, there are also Tours and Workshops available to get participants out on the landscape and experience native prairie or prairie species.
Awards and Grants - deadline for applications and nominations is February 22nd, 2026!
Young Professional Stewardship Grant: was developed to promote future involvement to achieve success with prairie conservation and endangered species management. The Young Professional Stewardship Grant is for professionals, ranchers, farmers or aspiring conservationists between the ages of 18-30 who live and/or work in Alberta, Saskatchewan or Manitoba.
Prairie Conservation Award: is granted to a deserving recipient from each of the three Prairie Provinces once every three years in recognition of significant long-term contributions
to native habitat or species at risk conservation.
📍 Learn more: www.prairiecesc.ca
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Stay tuned for news about our upcoming Native Prairie Speaker Series webinars! | |
A Prairie wide search for the elusive Swift Fox in Saskatchewan
Speakers: Tehlu Singh and Bea Prieto, SK Ministry of Environment
Tuesday February 24th, 2026 at 12 PM CT
Register Free
More information
Save the Date!
March Native Prairie Speaker Series
Topic: Native Plants and Yards
Speakers: Liz Deleeuw and Manna Parseyan, Edmonton Native Plant Society
Wednesday March 11th, 2026 at 7:00pm
Register free!
You can also find the other Native Prairie Speaker Series webinars that have been scheduled monthly until June!
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USask College of Agriculture and Bioresources presents Advancements in Agricultural Research Seminar Series
February 3-March 18, 2026
Celebrating Rural Ranching Women
February 5-6, 2026
Maple Creek, SK
North American Regional Women Pastoralist Gathering
February 7, 2026
tune in anywhere via Zoom https://ucanr.edu/site/livestock-and-range/nagathering
Meewasin's Webinar: Understanding grassland ecology through stewardship
February 10, 2026 @ 12 PM CST
SaskSoil’s annual Soil Health Conference
February 11-12, 2026
Saskatoon, SK
IYRP Book Club: All the Pretty Horses
February 25, 2026 @ 12 PM CST
Meewasin's Webinar: Meewasin State of the Valley Report
February 26, 2026 @ 12 PM CST
SK PCAP's Prairie's Got the Goods Week
March 16th-20th, 2026
Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan's AGM and Conference
March 21-22, 2026
Regina, SK
Prairie Conservation and Endangered Species Conference
May 5-7, 2026
Saskatoon, SK
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Employment Opportunities
Nature Saskatchewan is hiring five Summer Staff. Apply before February 22nd, 2026.
SK Stock Growers Foundation is hiring an Assistant Program Manager to start May 4th. Deadline for applications is February 20th, 2026.
Birds Canada is hiring Grassland Bird Technicians for the summer. Deadline to apply is February 7th, 2026.
Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute are hiring many Summer Field Technologists. Apply before Feb 28th, 2026
SK Association of Watersheds is hiring two Environmental Technicians. Deadline for applications is April 15th, 2026
Ducks Unlimited Canada are hiring multiple Conservation Technicians. Deadline to apply is February 23th, 2026
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2025/26 Education Programs:
Presenting Sponsors:
| | Carolyn Gaudet, Editor, Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan Newsletter | | |
SK PCAP gratefully acknowledges financial support in 2025-2026 from:
Ducks Unlimited Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Innovation Federal Credit Union, Nature Saskatchewan, North American Helium, Parks Canada - Grasslands National Park of Canada, K+S youth+us, Pembina, Ranchers Stewardship Alliance Inc, Saskatchewan Association of Watersheds, Saskatchewan Cattle Association, Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment - Fish and Wildlife Development Fund, TC Energy, University of Regina, University of Saskatchewan - College of Agriculture and Bioresources, the Department of Plant Sciences, and the College of Arts & Science, Water Security Agency and Wildlife Habitat Canada.
SK PCAP gratefully acknowledges in-kind support for 2025-2026 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, Meewasin Valley Authority, Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan, Nature Conservancy Canada, Nature Saskatchewan, Parks Canada - Grasslands National Park, Ranchers Stewardship Alliance Inc., Redberry Lake Biosphere Region, Salthaven West. Saskatchewan Aboriginal Land Technicians, 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 Stock Growers Foundation, 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, the Department of Plant Sciences, and the College of Arts & Science and Water Security Agency.
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