As 2010 is the International Year of Biodiversity, I thought I would share with you part of an article written by David Braun, Former State Director, TNC Texas— “Ten Reasons to Care about Biological Diversity:”

1. "Because it's there" or The Moral Argument "Because it's there" or The Moral Argument "Because it's there" or The Moral Argument "Because it's there" or The Moral Argument ---- We did not create life on earth and it is not our place to destroy it. We share this planet with millions of other species, and it violates all our civilized notions of respect and fairness to shove another species out of existence.

2. "Don't pop rivets on the spaceship" or The Practical Argument "Don't pop rivets on the spaceship" or The Practical Argument "Don't pop rivets on the spaceship" or The Practical Argument "Don't pop rivets on the spaceship" or The Practical Argument ---- Nature and all its creatures are one complex, interrelated machine. Killing species is like randomly popping out rivets on the spaceship earth; one or two are not likely to be noticed, but at some point the whole thing is going to come apart. To survive we depend on the whole interdependent ecosystem.

3. "There's gold in them thar hills" or The Economic Argument "There's gold in them thar hills" or The Economic Argument "There's gold in them thar hills" or The Economic Argument "There's gold in them thar hills" or The Economic Argument ---- We have not even begun to discover the economic potential of other species. A few dozen plants and animals provide the bulk of our food, clothing, and building materials. Many, many species are being lost before anyone has given any thought to their economic potential.

4. "Isn't Nature beautiful?" or The Aesthetic Argument "Isn't Nature beautiful?" or The Aesthetic Argument "Isn't Nature beautiful?" or The Aesthetic Argument "Isn't Nature beautiful?" or The Aesthetic Argument ---- Nature is beautiful and interesting too. Our lives are enriched by it. Our artists and writers are inspired by it. Our hearts are uplifted by the grandness of wild places. We all lose when such beauty is lost.

5. "Incest is for idiots" or The Genetic Strength Argument "Incest is for idiots" or The Genetic Strength Argument "Incest is for idiots" or The Genetic Strength Argument "Incest is for idiots" or The Genetic Strength Argument ---- In genetic diversity is the strength to adapt and survive. All plant and animal breeders know that a key to improving domesticated species is to replenish them with genes from wild stocks. With the loss of species we impoverish the future gene pool for agriculture and other natural resource-based industries.

6. "Oh no! Bread mold in my petri dish" or The Research Argument "Oh no! Bread mold in my petri dish" or The Research Argument "Oh no! Bread mold in my petri dish" or The Research Argument "Oh no! Bread mold in my petri dish" or The Research Argument ---- Everyone knows that penicillin was derived from bread mold. But did you know that more than half of all modern medicines can be traced to wild organisms? Thousands of species are being thoughtlessly destroyed before they can be thoroughly researched.

7. "Inquiring minds want to know" or The Education Argument "Inquiring minds want to know" or The Education Argument "Inquiring minds want to know" or The Education Argument "Inquiring minds want to know" or The Education Argument ---- Nature is fascinating. Behaviors and adaptations of plants and animals can be as mind-expanding as they are interesting. In each generation, discovering the marvels of Nature can be the spark that ignites a lifelong quest for knowledge.

8. "It's better than television" or The Recreation Argument "It's better than television" or The Recreation Argument "It's better than television" or The Recreation Argument "It's better than television" or The Recreation Argument ---- Outdoor recreation is a connection to nature that most of us feel is essential. Biodiversity supports numerous outdoor activities from hunting and fishing to birdwatching and spelunking. In fact, outfitting for camping, canoeing, hiking and related nature study has emerged as one of our fastest growing industries.

9. "Consider the lilies of the fields" or The Philosophy Argument "Consider the lilies of the fields" or The Philosophy Argument "Consider the lilies of the fields" or The Philosophy Argument "Consider the lilies of the fields" or The Philosophy Argument ---- Humans have always asked the universal questions, Who are we? Why are we here? An appreciation of nature may not give the final answers but it shapes our understanding that we are only a part of a much larger creation.

10. "Were there really elephants, Mommy?" or The Legacy Argument "Were there really elephants, Mommy?" or The Legacy Argument "Were there really elephants, Mommy?" or The Legacy Argument "Were there really elephants, Mommy?" or The Legacy Argument ---- Can you honestly say you don't care that the world we leave our children won't have wild elephants or rhinoceroses? Or a million other species that were here when we came? Or vast prairies? Or rainforests? Or wilderness of any kind? If you can say you don't care, then let's hope the future children of the world don't care either. They won't have a choice.

G R E E T I N G S F R O M P C A P M A N A G E R , M I C H E L L E Y A S K OW I C H

PRAIRIE CONSERVATION

ACTION PLAN

M A R C H 2 0 1 0M A R C H 2 0 1 0M A R C H 2 0 1 0M A R C H 2 0 1 0

V O L U M E 2 , I S S U E 3

P C A P N E W S L E T T E R

Compiled by:

Melissa Ranalli

S A S K A T C H E WA N E N V I R O N M E N T A L

S O C I E T Y U P D A T E

2

S K P R A I R I E C O N S E R V A T I O N

A W A R D W I N N E R

3

F E B R U A R Y S P E A K E R S E R I E S

S U MM A R Y

4

R E S E A R C H F R O M

T H E F I E L D 5

R A N C H I N G F R O M T H E G R O U N D U P —

W O R K S H O P

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R A N C H I N G F R O M T H E G R O U N D U P —

R E G I S T R A T I O N

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U P C O M I N G E V E N T S

A N D W O R K S H O P S 8

S P E C I A L P O I N T S

O F I N T E R E S T :

• PCAP’s 2010 Annual

Workplan is now available

on PCAP’s website under

the “Action Plans” link.

• See page 3 for a highlight

of the Grasslands

Conservation Council of

British Columbia, one of

PCAP’s national affiliates.

• See page 3 for a

Resource of Interest.

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :

Working on Environmental Issues for 40 yearsWorking on Environmental Issues for 40 yearsWorking on Environmental Issues for 40 yearsWorking on Environmental Issues for 40 years————Allyson Brady, Saskatchewan Environmental Society

SES began in 1970 as a totally volunteer-run, local Saskatoon organization – this at a time when there was no such thing as a provincial Department of Environment; no Environment Canada.

Over the past many years, SES has grown into a charity with members all over the province and beyond, and has been able to hire staff to work with our volunteers on a wide range of issues including sustainable agriculture and forestry, renewable energy generation, protection of our water sources, and preservation of important wild spaces and habitat.

Our Mission & style of workingOur Mission & style of workingOur Mission & style of workingOur Mission & style of working

The SES mandate is to work towards a world in which all needs will be met in sustainable ways. For the past 40 years, the SES has been building building building building a sustainable futurea sustainable futurea sustainable futurea sustainable future by doing research, providing sought after insight, developing programs and rational solutions. SES has established a reputation for sound science, good management, civility and an ability to work collaboratively.

A lot of our work towards building a sustainable future has been in helping to evaluate environmental policy on a wide variety of issues, such as pesticides, climate change, and forestry. This policy work varies in scope: from helping health regions use energy more efficiently, to contributing comments and expertise to Canadian environmental law changes and development.

SES has also helped people live sustainable liveslive sustainable liveslive sustainable liveslive sustainable lives in our programs to help citizens reduce toxins and conserve precious resources such as energy and water, in their homes, gardens, businesses, institutions, and organizations. Again our work is varied and diverse, helping institutions to use less water, energy and reduce their water in our Energy Awareness Training, a program which is being delivered throughout Saskatchewan and even in Ontario. Another example is our pesticide reduction program, helping people to become pesticide-free in their lawns and gardens.

SES’s work is governed by a volunteer board of directors – a talented group of individuals whose expertise includes ecology, chemistry, agriculture, law, finance, theology, health, business, education, recreation and home economics. In addition to our two full-time core staff people SES has project staff (which are often part-time or short-term) focused on specific projects or issues. We also have a substantial core of extremely dedicated volunteers, without which there would be no SES.

What does SES do? What does SES do? What does SES do? What does SES do?

Here are some examples:

• SES runs several practical energy conservation programs that help people in schools, small businesses and community organizations save energy in their operations. We have worked with over 200 schools throughout the province and this year alone we are working with 60 schools representing over 20,000 students to help them learn about how they can make a difference and protect the environment.

• We worked with a forestry company in northern Saskatchewan to re-design their operations so that they could achieve certification under the Forest Stewardship Council. This ensures that products have been harvested using the leading environmental and social practices in Canada.

• In the past 4 years, SES’s pesticide reduction project has provided guidance and resources to over 1200 Saskatoon households; encouraging them to discontinue the “cosmetic” use of chemical pesticides on their lawns and gardens. And last summer, of the residents we surveyed, 50% who were not pesticide-free before, gave up pesticides!

• SES has had the opportunity to travel into Saskatchewan’s small communities to work with residents who were concerned about local, environmental issues. As we helped resolve problems around water pollution by pesticides, unlicensed oilfield waste disposal, and air quality concerns from an industrial plant, we empowered local people to more effectively address these issues in their communities.

• SES provides an information service, speakers, public meetings and media resources on a wide range of environmental topics; we are the voice for the environment that the public depends on.

And as we continue to work on these issues, other pressing matters become apparent:

• the development of the tar sands in northwest Saskatchewan which threaten our forests, our water and endangered wildlife species, such as the woodland caribou;

• the damming and diverting of our rivers, the lifeblood of ecosystem health and human health;

• the loss of native prairie, a vital part of biodiversity and our cultural heritage.

We see the SES as a way for hope; a way to help Build a Sustainable FutureBuild a Sustainable FutureBuild a Sustainable FutureBuild a Sustainable Future and help ourselves and others to Live Sustainable LivesLive Sustainable LivesLive Sustainable LivesLive Sustainable Lives.

S A S K A T C H E W A N E N V I R O N M E N T A L S O C I E T Y U P D A T E

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Page 3 V O L U M E 2 , I S S U E 3

PCAP would like to congratulate the winner of the 2010 Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Award, Mr. Pat Fargey! Pat received the award at this year’s Prairie Conservation and Endangered Species Conference in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The Prairie Conservation Award is granted to a deserving recipient from each of the three prairie provinces in recognition of significant long-term contributions to native habitat or species at risk conservation.

Pat has spearheaded and been involved with many provincial, national and international initiatives, such as the Frenchman River Biodiversity Project, the South of the Divide Multi-species Action Plan, the Northern Mixed Grass Transboundary Conservation Initiative, the Crossing the Medicine Line Network, and the Prairie Conservation Action Plan. As the Species at Risk/Ecosystem Management Specialist with Parks Canada – Grasslands National Park, Pat has dedicated the last two decades to working towards both species and ecosystem conservation on many levels. Pat has lead and contributed to the recovery of some of Canada’s most iconic and endangered species at risk by yielding real solutions to recovery challenges of these imperiled species. His notable accomplishments include developing recovery strategies for the Greater Sage Grouse, Swift Fox, Black-footed Ferret and Black-tailed Prairie Dog species, fostering international research for Sage Grouse and Swift Foxes, assisting in the development of a North American Action Plan for prairie dogs, Burrowing Owls and Ferruginous Hawks through a tri-national workshop of the Commission for Environmental Conservation, the down listing of the Swift Fox from Endangered to Threatened at the end of 2009 by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, and after an absence of 70 years, the reintroduction of Black-footed Ferrets to Canada in October 2009. He was also instrumental in the reintroduction of plains bison to Grasslands National Park through the development of a multi-jurisdictional research approach to grazing at the Park that included researchers, ranchers, other government departments, students and environmental groups.

Pat’s character was perhaps best described by Axel Moehrenschlager, the Head of the Centre for Conservation Research at the Calgary Zoo, who described Pat as being a “master of equality and balance: courageous yet careful, determined yet patient, intellectual yet pragmatic, a dreamer yet a realist. There is no one who is more respected by government leaders, managers, scientists and landowners alike. The respect does not just come from the actions he does, but truly through the sincere, honest and kind person that he is.”

If you were unable to attend the award ceremony at the Prairie Conservation and Endangered Species Conference in Winnipeg, but would like to see Pat receiving his award (as well as the Alberta and Manitoba award recipients), visit the PCAP homepage (www.pcap-sk.org) and click on the link under the “What’s New” column to watch the archived presentation.

T H E P R A I R I E C O N S E R V A T I O N A W A R D G O E S T O . . . P A T

F A R G E Y !

A PCAP National Affiliate: Grasslands Conservation Council of British ColumbiaA PCAP National Affiliate: Grasslands Conservation Council of British ColumbiaA PCAP National Affiliate: Grasslands Conservation Council of British ColumbiaA PCAP National Affiliate: Grasslands Conservation Council of British Columbia

The Grasslands Conservation Council of British Columbia (GCC) is a strategic alliance of organizations and individuals that was established as a society in August 1999, and then as a registered charity in December 2001. The diverse group of individuals and organizations that contribute to the GCC includes: government officials; range management specialists; ranchers; grasslands agrologists and ecologists; First Nations; environmental groups; and grassland recreationists and enthusiasts. The members of the GCC all share a deep commitment to the conservation and stewardship of the grasslands in our province. For more information on the Grasslands Conservation Council of British

Columbia, their programs and strategic plan, visit their website:

www.bcgrasslands.orgwww.bcgrasslands.orgwww.bcgrasslands.orgwww.bcgrasslands.org

R E S O U R C E O F

I N T E R E S T

The Canadian Environmental Network Biodiversity Best Practices Handbook 2009: Case Studies From the Environmental Non-Government Sector is available on PCAP’s website under “Literature.” PCAP is

showcased on page 17.

www.pcapwww.pcapwww.pcapwww.pcap----sk.orgsk.orgsk.orgsk.org

Photo: Andrea Kotylak

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S P E A K E R S E R I E S S U MM A R Y - N A T U R A L G A S D E V E L O PM E N T & G R A S S L A N D

S O N G B I R D A B U N D A N C E I N S O U T H W E S T E R N S K : T H E I M P A C T O F G A S W E L L S

On February 9, 2010, Holly Kalyn-Bogard, Master of Science student from the University of Regina, spoke to a Weyburn audience about her graduate work investigating the effects of natural gas development on grassland songbird abundance in southwestern Saskatchewan.

Holly began by describing how Native grasslands once covered over 162,000,000 ha on the Great Plains of North America. Today, approximately 22% of native prairie is remaining in Saskatchewan. Because many grassland songbirds rely on these habitats for foraging and breeding, these species are also in decline (approximately 70% of grassland species are in decline). However, Holly explained how even when the amount of habitat loss is accounted for, the observed species declines are greater than expected. One of the factors that might partly explain this phenomenon is oil and gas development and the associated disturbance features.

The number of gas wells in Saskatchewan has tripled over the last ten years, but few studies have examined the effects of natural gas activity on songbirds. The few studies that have looked at natural gas impacts on songbirds have shown reductions in nest initiation, nest success and chick survival, and avoidance of well pads, roads and pipelines. The disturbance features associated with well pads that Holly suggested might impact songbird abundance are: 1) noisy generators that run throughout the day that may interfere with the males’ calls; 2) vegetation structure (e.g., crested wheat has been used to reclaim sites in the past); 3) perching sites for predators and brood parasites; 4) burrowing sites for ground predators; and 5) pipelines, roads and traffic which songbirds might avoid.

Holly limited her Speaker Series presentation to one of her research objectives: to determine the magnitude in which density and proximity of gas wells influence the abundance and occurrence of grassland songbirds.

Holly examined four species: Sprague’s Pipit, a Threatened species that has been in decline since the 1970s, Baird’s Sparrow which is considered Not at Risk, McCown’s Longspur, a species of Special Concern, and the Chestnut-collared Longspur which is a Threatened species. Holly studied five federal pastures in the southwestern corner of Saskatchewan: two pastures to the north of the Trans-Canada highway and three south of Consul, Saskatchewan. The north and south pastures differ in the amount of development they have supported (southern pastures have only seen approximately 16 years of development), in soil type, vegetation type, and the bird communities associated with each area is also different.

Holly looked at two spatial scales: a landscape scale, relating well density to bird abundance, and a local scale, relating distance of bird locations to gas wells. Holly included sections without wells present, those with 1-4 wells were considered low density sites, sections with 5-9 wells were medium density sites, and those with more than 10 wells were considered high density sites. Because vegetation structure might also explain bird abundance, Holly conducted vegetation surveys, examining vegetation height, litter depth, percent live grass, percent dead grass, percent forbs, percent shrubs, percent bare ground, percent lichen, and percent club moss.

Among the northern pastures, only the abundance of the Chestnut-collared Longspur increased with distance from the well and only in the medium well density sites. The abundance of Sprague’s Pipits and Baird’s Sparrows (McCown’s Longspur is not found in the north) showed no relationship to well density or distance. What was clear across species was that there was a minimum distance from the well before individuals were found. For example, Sprague’s Pipits were not found any closer than 35 m from a well and Baird’s Sparrows were not found any closer than 75 m from wells.

On the southern pastures, which had lower well densities, the abundance of the McCown’s Longspur and the Sprague’s Pipit (although weakly so) was positively associated with distance from the well. Chestnut-collared Longspurs were not found any closer than 32 m from a well and Sprague’s Pipits and Baird’s Sparrows were not found closer than 60 m from wells. Holly hypothesized that these patterns might be due to a sound effect since generators are loud, possibly interfering with male songs, and she suggested that grassland songbird species abundance patterns might be better understood once vegetation characteristics and cumulative disturbance effects are included in her models.

-Melissa Ranalli, PCAP Education Coordinator

Photo: Holly Kalyn-Bogard

P C A P N E W S L E T T E R

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R E S E A R C H F R O M T H E F I E L D

Loss of plant species after chronic lowLoss of plant species after chronic lowLoss of plant species after chronic lowLoss of plant species after chronic low----level nitrogen deposition to prairie grasslandslevel nitrogen deposition to prairie grasslandslevel nitrogen deposition to prairie grasslandslevel nitrogen deposition to prairie grasslands

Christopher M. Clark1 & David Tilman1

AbstractAbstractAbstractAbstract

Rates of atmospheric deposition of biologically active nitrogen (N) are two to seven times the pre-industrial rates in many developed nations because of combustion of fossil fuels and agricultural fertilization1,2. They are expected to increase similarly over the next 50 years in industrializing nations of Asia and South America2. Although the environmental impacts of high rates of nitrogen addition have been well studied3–8, this is not so for the lower, chronic rates that characterize much of the globe. Here we present results of the first multi-decadal experiment to examine the impacts of chronic, experimental nitrogen addition as low as 10 kgNha-1 yr-1 above ambient atmospheric nitrogen deposition (6 kgNha-1 yr-1 at our site). This total input rate is comparable to terrestrial nitrogen deposition in many industrialized nations2. We found that this chronic low-level nitrogen addition rate reduced plant species numbers by 17% relative to controls receiving ambient N deposition. Moreover, species numbers were reduced more per unit of added nitrogen at lower addition rates, suggesting that chronic but low-level nitrogen deposition may have a greater impact on diversity than previously thought. A second experiment showed that a decade after cessation of nitrogen addition, relative plant species number, although not species abundances, had recovered, demonstrating that

some effects of nitrogen addition are reversible.

1 1 1 1 Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, 100 Ecology, 1987 Upper Buford Circle, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108, USA.

This article can be found in full at:

http://msbarker.com/biodiv/2008_Nature_Clark_Tilman.pdfhttp://msbarker.com/biodiv/2008_Nature_Clark_Tilman.pdfhttp://msbarker.com/biodiv/2008_Nature_Clark_Tilman.pdfhttp://msbarker.com/biodiv/2008_Nature_Clark_Tilman.pdf

or in the journal NatureNatureNatureNature in volume 451, p. 712-715 (2008).

C A L L O U T F O R R E S E A R C H A R T I C L E S !

PCAP is looking for research to feature in our “Research From the Field” page that might be of interest to our partners and affiliates. Articles can be informally published, describing current ongoing research, or formally published ones. If you have written or know of a research article that you would like to see featured, please let Melissa know by email: pcapeducation@sasktel.net

or by phone: (306) 352-0472.

Photo: Krista Connick Todd

V O L U M E 2 , I S S U E 3

Page 6

R A N C H I N G F R OM T H E G R O U N D U P W O R K S H O P & T O U R , J U N E 2 3 & 2 4 , 2 0 1 0

Plan on Attending…Plan on Attending…Plan on Attending…Plan on Attending…

“Ranching From the Ground Up”“Ranching From the Ground Up”“Ranching From the Ground Up”“Ranching From the Ground Up”

Wednesday June 23 & Thursday June 24, 2010

Based out of Swift Current, SK

A Workshop & Tour held in Conjunction with Saskatchewan’s

12th Annual Native Prairie Appreciation Week (NPAW) June 20-26, 2010

Organizing Partners:

This event will feature many interactive tour stops to provide producers & participants with a view of hands-on management techniques, the diversity

of native prairie, & much more!

This workshop & tour is hosted by the Society for Range Management Prairie Parkland Chapter and

will be based out of Swift Current, SK.Swift Current, SK.Swift Current, SK.Swift Current, SK.

Accommodations have been reserved in Swift Current until June 1, 2010 at the following

locations:

Days Inn – 773-4643

Westwind Motel – 773-1441

Holiday Inn – 773-8288

P C A P N E W S L E T T E R

Page 7 V O L U M E 2 , I S S U E 3

R A N C H I N G F R OM T H E G R O U N D U P W O R K S H O P & T O U R , J U N E 2 3 & 2 4 , 2 0 1 0

Early Bird Registration; Register by May May May May 31, 201031, 201031, 201031, 2010 & you’ll be entered to win a

$100$100$100$100 Esso gift certificate.

Registration Form

(Regular deadline is June 11, 2010)

Name ______.

Address ______.

City/Prov/State _____.

Postal Code ______.

Phone ______.

Cell # ______.

Fax _____________________________.

e-mail ______.

Agency/operation _____

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Full Registration: $ 130

Producer/Student Full Registration: $100

Day 1 Only: $80

Day 2 Only: $60

Total Amount _________________.

Day 1 Pick-Up

Swift Current Cadillac

**Please provide us with your cell number in

case we need to reach you for pick-up **

Thursday, June 24, 2010 Thursday, June 24, 2010 Thursday, June 24, 2010 Thursday, June 24, 2010 ---- Day 2 Day 2 Day 2 Day 2 –––– Hazlet/Lac Pelletier Area Hazlet/Lac Pelletier Area Hazlet/Lac Pelletier Area Hazlet/Lac Pelletier Area

8:00am8:00am8:00am8:00am –Tour departs at 8:00am sharp8:00am sharp8:00am sharp8:00am sharp from the Holiday Inn Express parking lot in Swift Current. Registration for those attending Day 2 will

take place at the buses.

Morning activities include a tour of Brian Weedon’s operation highlighting a water monitoring project, impacts of oil & gas development on native

prairie, producers’ rights, and reclamation.

Following lunch at Brian’s, Dwight Dokken Dwight Dokken Dwight Dokken Dwight Dokken will give a demonstration on “Problem Solving and Horsemanship.” “Problem Solving and Horsemanship.” “Problem Solving and Horsemanship.” “Problem Solving and Horsemanship.” Afternoon stops include Duncairn Dam (history, infrastructure and water management of the dam) and a corral relocation project at Lac Pelletier.

4:30pm 4:30pm 4:30pm 4:30pm – Arrive back in Swift Current

Make Cheques Payable to:

Society for Range Management – PPC

Mail registrations to:

NPAW Registrations

c/o Trevor Lennox, SMA

Box 5000, 350 Cheadle St. W

Swift Current, SK

S9H 4G3

trevor.lennox@gov.sk.ca

Ph (306) 778-8294

Fax (306) 778-8604

Lunches & snacks/refreshments will be provided for both days.

Supper will be provided on Day 1.

Be prepared for all weather

conditions.

Moderate walking is required for field tours.

For more Information

please contact:

Jessica Williams, SMA

jessica.williams@gov.sk.ca

Ph (306) 778-8292

Fax (306) 778-8604

Wednesday, June 23, 2010 Wednesday, June 23, 2010 Wednesday, June 23, 2010 Wednesday, June 23, 2010 ---- Day 1 Day 1 Day 1 Day 1 –––– Ponteix/Cadillac Area Ponteix/Cadillac Area Ponteix/Cadillac Area Ponteix/Cadillac Area

*Please indicate on registration form if you would like to be picked up in

Cadillac (Day 1 ONLY).*

7:30am7:30am7:30am7:30am – Registration by the buses at Holiday Inn Express parking lot in

Swift Current. Buses leave at 8:00am sharp!Buses leave at 8:00am sharp!Buses leave at 8:00am sharp!Buses leave at 8:00am sharp!

8:45am8:45am8:45am8:45am – Pick up participants in Cadillac at the Community Hall

Morning activities include a presentation on Species at Risk Best Management Practices and the infamous Plant ID Contest at the Auvergne-

Wise Creek AESB Community Pasture.

Following lunch at Ponteix Parish Hall, the afternoon will include presentations on native prairie grazing (Chris Nykoluk, AAFC-AESB & Trevor Lennox, SMA) and fire ecology (Sue Michalsky), a tour of Orin Balas’

extensive grazing system & Doug and Hayley McMillan’s intensive system.

6:00pm6:00pm6:00pm6:00pm – Supper at the Cadillac Community Hall, including evening

entertainment

8:30pm8:30pm8:30pm8:30pm – Arrive back in Swift Current

Page 8

Growing With Pride Growing With Pride Growing With Pride Growing With Pride ———— 2010 SARM Annual Convention 2010 SARM Annual Convention 2010 SARM Annual Convention 2010 SARM Annual Convention

March 8-11, 2010 - Queensbury Convention Centre, Evraz Place, Regina, SK

www.sarm.ca/events/event_calendar

Speaker Series Speaker Series Speaker Series Speaker Series ———— Etienne Soulodre P.Ag, Range Agrologist, SWA Etienne Soulodre P.Ag, Range Agrologist, SWA Etienne Soulodre P.Ag, Range Agrologist, SWA Etienne Soulodre P.Ag, Range Agrologist, SWA

“Ecology and Economics of Riparian Areas on the Prairies: What we know and what we don’t!”“Ecology and Economics of Riparian Areas on the Prairies: What we know and what we don’t!”“Ecology and Economics of Riparian Areas on the Prairies: What we know and what we don’t!”“Ecology and Economics of Riparian Areas on the Prairies: What we know and what we don’t!”

March 16, 2010 (12:10-12:50pm) - Regina, SK

Royal Saskatchewan Museum Auditorium, 2445 Albert Street

Robert Bateman Get to Know Contest Launch Event Robert Bateman Get to Know Contest Launch Event Robert Bateman Get to Know Contest Launch Event Robert Bateman Get to Know Contest Launch Event ———— Nature Saskatchewan and the Robert Bateman Get to Know Nature Saskatchewan and the Robert Bateman Get to Know Nature Saskatchewan and the Robert Bateman Get to Know Nature Saskatchewan and the Robert Bateman Get to Know

ProgramProgramProgramProgram

April 25, 2010 - Regina, SK

Royal Saskatchewan Museum Auditorium, 2445 Albert Street

Cypress Hills 2010: Biodiversity in SouthCypress Hills 2010: Biodiversity in SouthCypress Hills 2010: Biodiversity in SouthCypress Hills 2010: Biodiversity in South----western Saskatchewan Ecosystems western Saskatchewan Ecosystems western Saskatchewan Ecosystems western Saskatchewan Ecosystems ---- A National Biodiversity Education A National Biodiversity Education A National Biodiversity Education A National Biodiversity Education

Field Workshop Field Workshop Field Workshop Field Workshop ---- Canadian Wildlife Federation Canadian Wildlife Federation Canadian Wildlife Federation Canadian Wildlife Federation

May 10-14, 2010 - Regina, SK

Breeding Bird Survey TrainingBreeding Bird Survey TrainingBreeding Bird Survey TrainingBreeding Bird Survey Training————Nature Saskatchewan Nature Saskatchewan Nature Saskatchewan Nature Saskatchewan

May 14-15, 2010

Baillie Birdathon Baillie Birdathon Baillie Birdathon Baillie Birdathon ———— Nature Saskatchewan Nature Saskatchewan Nature Saskatchewan Nature Saskatchewan

May 22, 2010 - Last Mountain Bird Observatory near Govan, SK

Bison on the Edge Conference Bison on the Edge Conference Bison on the Edge Conference Bison on the Edge Conference ---- Sturgeon River Plains Bison Stewards Sturgeon River Plains Bison Stewards Sturgeon River Plains Bison Stewards Sturgeon River Plains Bison Stewards

June 8-10, 2010 - Big River, SK

“Ranching from the Ground Up” “Ranching from the Ground Up” “Ranching from the Ground Up” “Ranching from the Ground Up” ---- Society for Range Management Workshop & Tour held in conjunction with NPAW Society for Range Management Workshop & Tour held in conjunction with NPAW Society for Range Management Workshop & Tour held in conjunction with NPAW Society for Range Management Workshop & Tour held in conjunction with NPAW

2010201020102010

June 23-24, 2010—Based out of Swift Current, SK

www.pcap-sk.org or www.naturesask.ca

Teaching and Learning with Monarch Butterflies Teaching and Learning with Monarch Butterflies Teaching and Learning with Monarch Butterflies Teaching and Learning with Monarch Butterflies ---- Monarch Teacher Network Monarch Teacher Network Monarch Teacher Network Monarch Teacher Network

July 26-27, 2010 - Regina, SK

Space is limited so apply early.

U P C OM I N G E V E N T S A N D W O R K S H O P S

P C A P N E W S L E T T E R

March’s Native Prairie Speaker SeriesNative Prairie Speaker SeriesNative Prairie Speaker SeriesNative Prairie Speaker Series presentation will conclude this season’s series. The Speaker

Series WILL RESUME WILL RESUME WILL RESUME WILL RESUME in the Fall.

Presentations are broadcast online and archived. See the website below to watch a speaker series LIVE

or visit the PCAP website (www.pcap-sk.org) under “Communications” to watch archived presentations.

www.ustream.tv/channel/nativewww.ustream.tv/channel/nativewww.ustream.tv/channel/nativewww.ustream.tv/channel/native----prairieprairieprairieprairie----speakerspeakerspeakerspeaker----seriesseriesseriesseries

Photo: Andrea Kotylak

Photo: Andrea Kotylak

Big Muddy Valley

PO Box 4752

Regina, SK S4P 3Y4

Phone: (306) 352-0472

Fax: (306) 569-8799

E-mail: pcap@sasktel.net (Michelle)

pcapeducation@sasktel.net (Melissa)

The Prairie Conservation Action Plan Prairie Conservation Action Plan Prairie Conservation Action Plan Prairie Conservation Action Plan (PCAP) (PCAP) (PCAP) (PCAP) Partnership brings together agenc ies and or gan izat i ons representing producers, industry, provincial & federal governments, non-government organizations and research & educational institutions working towards a common vision of prair ie and spec ies at r isk conservation in Saskatchewan.

Our Mission:Our Mission:Our Mission:Our Mission: The PCAP partnership represents the collaborative efforts of multiple interests toward promoting and conserving Saskatchewan's native prairie. The PCAP Partners work together to deliver innovative and critical prairie conservation activities that represent the shared objectives of a diverse mix of stakeholders and that benefit the social, cultural, economic and ecological fabric of Saskatchewan.

Our Ecosystem Goal:Our Ecosystem Goal:Our Ecosystem Goal:Our Ecosystem Goal: Native prairie ecosystem health and biodiversity are conserved and restored as part of a functioning landscape.

Our Economic Goal:Our Economic Goal:Our Economic Goal:Our Economic Goal: Sustainable uses of native prairie improve the liveli-hoods of Saskatchewan people.

Our Cultural Goal:Our Cultural Goal:Our Cultural Goal:Our Cultural Goal: Native prairie is a valued part of our culture and identity as Saskatchewan people.

P R A I R I E C O N S E R V A T I O N A C T I O N P L A N

www.pcap-sk.org

Focus Groups:Focus Groups:Focus Groups:Focus Groups:

At Home on the Prairie

Prospering with Prairie

Caring for Prairie

Accounting for Prairie

A Working Prairie

OUR VISION:

HEALTHY NATIVE PRAIRIE ECOSYSTEMS AS VITAL PARTS OF

OUR VIBRANT AND STRONG COMMUNITIES.

The PCAP gratefully acknowledges funding and in-kind support from:

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) through Agri-Environment Services Branch (AESB) and Semiarid Prairie

Agricultural Research Centre (SPARC), Agriculture Council of Saskatchewan through the Advancing Canadian

Agriculture and Agri-Food Saskatchewan (ACAAFS) program, the Carl Block Memorial Stewardship Education Fund

(CBMSEF), Cattle Marketing Deductions Fund (CMDF), Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC), Environment Canada (EC)

through the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS), Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), Government of Canada Habitat

Stewardship Program for Species at Risk (HSP), Horned Cattle Purchases Fund (HCPF), Nature Conservancy of

Canada (NCC), Nature Saskatchewan (NS), Parks Canada - Grasslands National Park of Canada (PC-GNP),

Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM), Saskatchewan Burrowing Owl Interpretive Centre (SBOIC),

Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture (SMA), Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment (SME), Saskatchewan Ministry of

Environment – Go Green Fund, Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment – Fish and Wildlife Development Fund (FWDF),

Saskatchewan Ministry of Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport – Royal Saskatchewan Museum (RSM), Saskatchewan

Stock Growers Association (SSGA), Saskatchewan Watershed Authority (SWA), SaskEnergy, SaskPower,

TransCanada Corporation, the University of Regina (UofR) and the University of Saskatchewan – College of Agriculture

and Bioresources (UofS).