Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan i

SASKATCHEWANPRAIRIECONSERVATIONACTIONPLANPREPAREDBYPCAP COMMITTEE1998PUBLISHEDBYCANADIANPLAINSRESEARCHCENTERUNIVERSITYOFREGINAcanadian.plains@uregina.cawww.cprc.ca

The Committee responsible for

developing this SaskatchewanPrairie Conservation ActionPlan would like to acknowledge thesignificant contribution made to thiseffort by a number of other individuals.The plan development entailed alot of organization and facilitation,and the people responsible for thiscritical component deserve recognition.Saskatchewan’s Prairie ConservationAction Plan is a synthesis of the workof nine principal editors: Dr. ZoheirAbouguendia, Mr. Alan Appleby, Mr.Phil Curry, Dr. Dave Gauthier, Ms.Leslie Hall, Mr. Wayne Harris, Mr.Tom Harrison, Dr. Paul James, andMr. Greg Riemer. We also thank Mr.Ed Wiken, Environment Canada, formaterial he provided on an ecosystemperspective for sustainabledevelopment.We are grateful for the workshopfacilitation services provided byDennis and Matt Phillippi of NaturalResources Inc., Bozeman, Montana.Dennis took charge of the pivotal

workshop in Mankota in February1997. His guidance of the group,complemented by Matt’s timelyrecording, contributed greatly to thesuccess of that gathering. They followedthis up by providing the samevaluable services to the wrap-upworkshop in December 1997.Several Saskatchewan Environmentand Resource Management secretarialstaff are among the unsung heroesof this initiative. Sustainable LandManagement Branch staff includingNatalie Oliver and Brenda Oates providedstrong support to Syd Barber’scoordinating work during fiscal1996-97 and before. However, mostof the work fell to Tera Anaka, whoused her excellent public relationsskills to good advantage in theprocess. Grasslands EcoRegion staffincluding Karen Repski, LaureSanders, Maureen Sigmeth andNicole Bos have provided invaluablesupport during fiscal 1997-98.Saskatchewan Stock Growers’Association Executive Director, PamMitchell, has been instrumental tothe close liaison between her organizationand process co-chair,Saskatchewan Environment andResource Management.Dr. Tom Dill was a stalwart supporterof the effort during his tenurewith the Grazing and PastureTechnology Program and, later, as aDucks Unlimited staff member. Hehas since moved back to his nativeNebraska.Owner Judy Smith and staff of theGrassland Inn at Mankota providedexcellent services and a very homeyatmosphere for our February 1997workshop there. There was anappropriate coincidence betweenthe name of her establishment andthe focus of the developing PrairieConservation Action Plan — nativegrassland.We thank Environment Canada andAutumn Downey for their permissionto use her painting, originallydeveloped for Environment Canada’sEcozones of Canada poster series, asthe cover art for this document.ii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSSaskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action PlanSaskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan iii

TABLEOFCONTENTSAcknowledgements iiExecutive Summary ivFinancial Contributors to Publication vi1. Introduction 12. Background 43. Vision Statement 54. Goals and Objectives of the New Action Plan 6Goal 1 6Goal 2 9Goal 3 13Goal 4 16Goal 5 195. Implementation of the Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan 226. Suggested Readings 247. Glossary of Terms 258. The Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan Committee 26Summary - Implementation Strategy 27Goal 1 27Goal 2 28Goal 3 29Goal 4 30Goal 5 31Implementation 32BackgroundThe North American Great Plainsregion extends over the widest latitudinalrange of any single ecologicalregion on the continent and is theonly region common to the threecountries of North America. Theprairies extend for about 1,500 kmfrom Alberta, Saskatchewan andManitoba in Canada, south throughthe Great Plains of the United Statesto southern Texas and adjacentMexico, and approximately 600 kmfrom western Indiana to the foothillsof the Rockies and into northeasternMexico.The Great Plains is a culturally-moldedecosystem. Beginning in the late1800s, Saskatchewan’s great expanse

of grasslands with areas of fertilesoils on the northern great plainsattracted settlers by the hundreds ofthousands. Today, agriculture is themost important economic activity aswell as the dominant land use forthis ecological region.The cultivation of the grasslands hascontributed to the development of aprosperous society. However, therehave also been impacts from theseland use activities that are beingaddressed through various conservationand management activities.These activities address a variety ofsocietal values that include issues ofagricultural sustainability, biodiversityconservation, the protection ofaboriginal heritage, and the maintenanceof ecosystem health.Goals and ObjectivesSaskatchewan’s Prairie ConservationAction Plan complements similarprovincial efforts in Alberta andManitoba and builds upon the firstPrairie Conservation Action Plan putforward by World Wildlife FundCanada in 1989. This plan reflectsagreement among representatives ofsixteen government agencies andnational and non-governmentalorganizations regarding the conservationof the province’s remainingnative prairie. The authors set forwardfive goals to help conserve thenative prairie.Goal 1: To sustain a healthy nativeprairie grazing resource.The native prairie provides a rangeof values, uses, goods and servicesfor our society including forage,water and soil conservation, recreation,medicinal plants, heritage,wildlife and genetic resources.Livestock producers can and domaintain healthy prairies with richwildlife and high levels of native biodiversity.Studies show that propergrazing by livestock has no adverseeffects on plant community or soilcharacteristics. Three objectives areproposed under this goal:• promote the adoption of soundrangeland practices;• foster an increased societal appreciationof the role of the livestock

industry in prairie conservation,and• support the efforts of private andpublic land managers who conservenative prairie in Saskatchewan.Goal 2: To conserve the remainingprairie resource.Much of Saskatchewan’s prairie landbase is intensively cultivated. Suchareas are characterized by fertilearable soils which evolved under ourmost productive grasslands. Theconservation of the remaining nativeprairie would be fostered by accomplishingthe following five objectives:• identify and monitor the extentand health of remaining nativeprairie;• encourage voluntary landownerstewardship to conserve theremaining privately owned nativeprairie;• use the potential of the ConservationEasements Act to conservenative prairie;• ensure that property taxation andassessment policies are at leastneutral relative to native prairie;and• change regulations, policies, programsand economic instrumentsthat are the most significant interms of their negative impact onprairie conservation, i.e. removepolicy and program disincentivesto conservation.iv Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan

EXECUTIVESUMMARYGoal 3: To maintain Saskatchewan’snative prairie biologicaldiversity.This is a daunting task as extensivecultivation and transportation corridorshave shrunk and fragmentedthe habitat base. Many ofSaskatchewan’s species at risk aregrassland species. Eight objectivesaddress this goal:• complete Saskatchewan’s RepresentativeAreas Network;• seek to stop further cultivation;• minimize the threat from exoticspecies invasion;

• restore degraded prairie ecosystems;• develop indicators of native prairiehealth;• aid species recovery;• improve understanding of biodiversity,and• minimize the impacts of industrialdevelopments.Goal 4: To promote the sustainableuse of native prairie to enhance thequality of life.Conservation means wise use. Goalfour endeavours to recognize thevalue of remaining native prairiethough improvements in human useof those remnants. Objectives toachieve these improvements include:• better range management;• ecotourism development;• use of native plants to develop“ecovars” (see Glossary);• the development of a native plantseed industry;• developing new pharmaceuticaland biochemical uses for nativeplants and,• quantifying the economic andenvironmental contribution ofnative prairie and perennial grasslands.Goal 5: To promote education anddevelop communication programsregarding the conservation and sustainableuse of native prairie.The last goal sets an objective thatencourages an ecosystem managementapproach to land within theprairie ecozone. Attaining this objectiverequires the development andimplementation of communicationsand public education programsthrough a full partnership of interests.Implementation of the PlanImplementing conservation programsin the prairies requires workingwith a large number of privateowners, lessees, rural and urbanmunicipalities, the provincial andfederal governments, First Nationsand a host of interest groups. Sevenobjectives are outlined for successfulimplementation of the plan.1. Develop a detailed implementationplan complete with budget andagency responsibilities.2. Seek formal endorsement of thedetailed implementation plan.

3. Form a steering committee fromthe PCAP partnership to oversee theimplementation phase.4. Establish a home office with astaff person to coordinate on-goingimplementation activities amongthe partner groups.5. Develop a communication programthat keeps the PCAP alive.6. Issue yearly updates or progressreports that outline the activitiestowards the achievement of PCAPgoals and objectives.7. Organize local meetings andbroader regional or prairie wideworkshops and public informationsessions.One of the more important aspectsof Saskatchewan’s PCAP is that itdetails which agency or non-governmentalorganization can contributeto the delivery of each activity and itprovides a time line for deliverables.Provisions are also made to ensurethat coordinated implementation isachieved through the creation of agroup that will steer and monitorthe actions of the plan.Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan vviCanadian Wildlife ServiceGrasslands National ParkGrazing & Pasture Technology ProgramPrairie Farm Rehabilitation AdministrationAgriculture & Agri-Food CanadaSaskatchewan Wetland Conservation CorporationWorld Wildlife Fund Canada

FINANCIALCONTRIBUTORSTOPUBLICATIONSaskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan

This plan is intended to offer

direct actions for the conservationof native prairie inSaskatchewan. It represents a consensusamong numerous agencies,organizations and institutions toaddress the loss and deterioration ofremaining native prairie. The plan isintended to achieve sustainabledevelopment objectives within thecontext of appropriate managementof prairie ecosystems. It complementssimilar provincial efforts inAlberta and Manitoba and buildsupon the first Prairie ConservationAction Plan put forward by WorldWildlife Fund Canada in 1989.Sustainable DevelopmentSustainable development is a typeof contract made cooperativelyamong citizens that commits themto meeting their own needs withoutseriously compromising the rightsof others. It emphasizes the need tolive within and as part of nature, ofsaving for the future and ensuringthat the environmental attributesthat support life are maintained. Incurrent thinking, there are threeprincipal environmental goals forsustainable development: to assureecosystem integrity; to assurehuman health and well-being; andto assure natural resource sustainability.Sustainable developmentcannot be achieved without achievingall of these elements. Typically,five questions are asked in regard tosustainability: What is happening?Why is it happening? Why is it significant?What is being done aboutit? Is it sustainable?The Prairie Conservation Action Planrecognizes that the conservation ofnative prairie can only be accomplishedwithin this view of sustainabledevelopment, which requiresthat we think, plan and act in termsof ecosystems.EcosystemsAn ecosystem is a dynamic complexof organisms, including humans,

and their physical environment,interacting as a unit. Ecosystems varyin their size and their compositionand are related among one another.They can be as large as the entireecosphere or they can be very smallareas. They can be pristine or heavilyhuman-modified systems. In itsbroadest sense, an ecosystemincludes environmental, social, andeconomic elements. Ecosystems aredynamic, constantly changing overtime. Humans, however, are nowone of the foremost agents whichbring about change. Interventionsby humans have resulted in impactsover local and large areas andthrough different time periods.Many questions arise: Will agriculturalareas remain productive andagricultural activities be sustainable?Will wildlife species and habitat survive?Will ecosystems recover fromdegradation due to pollution, overuseor other factors?North America is a mosaic of diverseecosystems. Many possess uniqueSaskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan 1

INTRODUCTIONPrairie mixed grassland.

1natural features of worldwide significanceand many are consideredhighly productive. Traditionally,humans in western society haveviewed themselves and their activitiesas separate and isolated fromthese ecosystems. It is apparent,however, that human activities andthe environment are highly related.There is recognition that withouthealthy ecosystems, a high quality oflife and economic prosperity cannotbe sustained. This view is a coreprinciple in what has become knownas the Ecological Perspective whichrecognizes the importance of viewinghumans as part of, rather than

separate from, the world’s ecosystems.In recognition that environmentalissues are complex and notrestricted to political or jurisdictionalboundaries, an ecological perspectiveis necessary to promote a commonbasis for understanding. It is animportant tool to foster cooperativework on protecting the environmentand to discuss matters affecting thesustainability of resource use,human activities, and ecosystemintegrity.The Ecological Perspective isbased on:• accepting that interactions betweenthe environment (air, water,land and biota), and human activities(social, cultural and economicsystems) are inseparable;• realizing that humans are a majordriving force of ecological change;• recognizing environmental thresholds,and their importance andlinkage to human activities;• incorporating the needs of currentand future generations;• implementing a “long-term” perspectivethat is anticipatory, preventativeand sustainable.It is essential that ecosystems do notbecome stressed beyond a thresholdthat results in undesirable and irreversiblechanges. We need to understandthe diversity of ecosystems,their importance to a variety ofhuman and non-human needs, andtheir status over the long term.Failure to do so undermines ourability to assess the integrity ofecosystems and eventually couldresult in environmental degradation,poverty and loss of economic wealthto nations.An ecological perspective canimprove understanding about theconditions and trends that are shapingthe prairies. As a planning tool,an ecological perspective can ensurethat a comprehensive and holisticapproach is taken on environmentalissues, rather than an isolated or“sector-by-sector” analysis. It canassist in setting priorities for actionthat consider the unique and criticalenvironmental assets found in the

prairies. An ecological perspectivecan provide a common organizationalperspective amongst the diverseinterests of citizens and aid in developmentof cooperative policies andplanning efforts.Figure 1 shows the Prairie Ecozonewhich occupies approximately 5% ofthe total area of Canada.Saskatchewan contains approximately51% (241,000 sq. km.) of theprairies of Canada and this ecozoneoccupies approximately 38% of theprovince. Under one-third of thePrairie Ecozone of Canada is inimproved and unimproved rangelandand pastures, with unimprovedrangeland making up the largest partof that amount. Cropland accountsfor approximately two-thirds of thePrairie Ecozone and the remainder iscomprised of urban areas, water bodies,forested lands, and transportationcorridors.More than 80% of the economic activityof the province is generated in thisecozone, with agriculture as the dominantland use. Called the breadbasketof Canada, much of Canada’s andSaskatchewan’s cropland, rangelandand pasture are located in this ecozone.The other major activities contributingto the economy are mining(coal, potash, mineral, and aggregates)and oil and gas production.Despite the dominance of agriculturalactivities on the landscape, themajority of the population is found inurban communities.The partners in developing this planrecognized the need to move awayfrom an emphasis on individual environmentaland socio-economic elementsand shift towards a more comprehensiveand consensualapproach. The plan provides a commonbase for developing a dialogueand enhancing communicationamong different jurisdictions, organizationsand disciplines. It was builtthrough a process of consultation,collaboration and compromise. It ispresented to a wide range of users.Each action encourages furtherrefinements to be made. In thefuture, this plan will be revisited to

reflect our growing understandingof the ecology of the prairies.2 Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action PlanSaskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan 3Figure 1. Rangeland and pasture in the Prairie Ecozone of Canada (derived from satellite image data providedbythe Manitoba Centre for Remote Sensing; prepared by Lorena Patino, Canadian Plains Research Center, University ofRegina).

The first Prairie Conservation

Action Plan (PCAP) was developedin the late 1980s throughan initiative led by World WildlifeFund Canada. The major concerns ofthe first PCAP were the protection ofCanada’s remaining native prairieand its associated endangeredspecies. The plan set out a vision forPrairie Canada that committed toleave some “Wild in the West.” Itstated in its introduction:“Canadians need to ensure thatnative prairie, with its wild plantsand animals, survives in the west andis conserved for its intrinsic values,from which this and future generationscan benefit.”The time frame for the plan wasbetween 1989 and 1994 in whichtime ten principal goals were to beachieved: to identify the remainingnative prairie and parkland; to protectat least one large, representativearea in each of the four major prairieecoregions; to establish across thethree prairie provinces a system ofprotected native prairie ecosystemsand, where possible,connection corridors— this system shouldinclude representativesamples of eachhabitat subregion; toprotect threatenedeco-systems and habitatsby preparing andim-plementing habitatmanagement andrestoration plans; toprotect and enhancethe populations ofprairie species designatednationally orprovincially as vulnerable,

threatened,endangered or extirpated,by implementingrecovery and managementplans; toensure that no additionalspecies becomethreatened, endangeredor extirpated; toencourage governmentsto more explicitlyincorporate conservation ofnative prairie in their programs; toencourage balanced use of privatelands that allows sustained use ofthe land while maintaining andenhancing the native biologicaldiversity of the prairies; to promotepublic awareness of the values andimportance of prairie wildlife andwild places; and to promoteresearch relevant to prairie conservation.While the first PCAP provided avisionary master plan for the conservationof prairie species and spaces,it lacked mechanisms to ensure thatthe actions were executed and theirresults monitored. It was left to thegood will of the participants to takeon the tasks that all thought theycould or should do, and work torealize the ten goals. In reviewingthe 1989 plan, it is apparent thatnone of the goals were fully met andthat a few have seen very littleprogress. There was no coordinatedimplementation strategy or mechanisms.Primarily, the action plan’slack of effectiveness was due to thelack of involvement from the agriculturalsector and a lack of time-specific,assigned responsibilities to carry outthe tasks.The importance of achieving thegoals of the first plan within the contextof sustainable agriculture inSaskatchewan prompted SaskatchewanEnvironment and ResourceManagement (SERM) and the SaskatchewanStock Growers’ Association(SSGA) to establish a process forrenewal of the plan. The processinvolved bringing together a partnershipof various provincial and federalorganizations and agencies,called the Saskatchewan Prairie

Conservation Action PlanCommittee, to revise and create anew version of the SaskatchewanPrairie Conservation Action Plan.This document is the result of theirsubstantial efforts.4 Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan

BACKGROUNDFirst PCAP report

2Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan 5

VISIONSTATEMENT

OFTHEPARTNERSHIP 3* Note that for the purposes of this Action Plan, “native prairie” is defined as native grassland and parklandaquaticand terrestrial habitats within the Prairie Ecozone of Saskatchewan.

“The native prairie* is to besustained in a healthy state inwhich natural and humanvalues are respected.”6

GOALSANDOBJECTIVES

OFTHENEWACTIONPLAN 4TOSUSTAINAHEALTHYNATIVEPRAIRIEGRAZINGRESOURCE

Background and RationaleThe native prairie provides a rangeof values, uses, goods and servicesfor our society, including forage,water, soil conservation, recreation,medicinal plants, heritage, wildlife,and genetic resources. However,many of these values are, as yet,unrealized by our society. In additionto being an important habitatand source of forage and water forwildlife, the remaining nativeprairies provide significant grazingfor livestock, including cattle, sheepand specialized livestock. Ranchingand livestock production play animportant role in conserving theremaining prairies. Properly managedranches have maintainedhealthy prairies with rich wildlifeand high levels of native biodiversity.Ranching and livestock productionalso contribute significantly to therural and provincial economy, providingmore than five million AnimalUnit Months’ production for livestockwith an estimated annualincome of $200-300 million. Inaddition, ranching represents animportant western Canadian heritageand way of life. It is, therefore,important to conserve and maintainthe remaining native prairie for theuse and enjoyment of present andfuture generations.The native prairies evolved undernatural disturbances such as fire,drought and grazing. Individualprairie plants and communities possessstrategiesto cope with these disturbancesand a moderate level ofdisturbance appears to be necessaryto maintain the ecological integrityand biodiversity of the nativeprairies. Interference by people hasminimized or eliminated prairie firessince the advent of European settlement.Grazing by bison, the dominantnative grazer, has been largelyreplaced by domestic livestock.Long-term studies show that propergrazing by livestock has no adverseeffects on plant community or soilcharacteristics. For example, a recentstudy revealed that cattle diet doesnot significantly overlap with deer

diet, even in ungulate-rich areassuch as the Great Sand Hills. Studiesin the U.S. show some improvementof deer habitat as a result of plannedlivestock grazing systems. The scientificliterature suggests that moderategrazing by herbivores is often beneficialto the plant community as awhole. Diversity tends to increasewhen grazing reduces the numbersof dominant species. In some cases,net primary productivity is greaterwith the grazers than it would bewithout them, therefore, grazing by Cattle grazing on rangeland.Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Planungulates may help with nutrientcycling, an essential eco-systemfunction.Objective 1: Maintain oradopt sound rangelandmanagement practicesthat are reflective of localconditions.Ecologically-based management andmonitoring is key to maintaining thehealth, native biodiversity and ecologicalintegrity of prairie ecosystems.This is achieved through the applicationof sound rangeland managementpractices that take into accountall forage resources and multiple uses.Range management is a relatively newfield in Saskatchewan. The first rangecondition guide was developed onlyrecently. The SSGA and theExtension Service of SaskatchewanAgriculture and Food are jointly conductingrange management extensionactivities. The Prairie FarmRehabilitation Administration hasmade substantial contributions toour understanding of range management.Both provincial and federallyfunded programs have resulted in anincreased awareness of the importanceof proper rangeland management.However, more work is neededto help additional ranchersimprove their native prairie throughecologically-based planned managementand monitoring. Industries,such as the energy sector, operatingon native prairie will also need toadopt ecological approaches in theirexploration, production practices

and restoration efforts.The present rangeland extensionprograms in Saskatchewan tend tobe disconnected from one anotherSaskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan 7Using principles of appropriate range management leads to healthy riparianhabitats and water and soil conservation.Well managed rangelands provide protection against soil and water erosion.and short-term in nature, largely dueto intermittent funding. There is aneed for a more stable program thatstill involves producers in its administrationand direction.Objective 2: Foster anincreased societal appreciationof the beneficial roleplayed by the livestockindustry in the conservationof native prairie.The urban population of Saskatchewanis expanding while the ruralpopulation base is declining. Also,many city people are becoming distancedfrom the natural ecosystem.There is, therefore, a need to reachall segments of the population toexplain the values of our nativeprairie, the role played by the livestockindustry in its maintenance,and the functions of prairie conservation.Objective 3: Recognize andsupport the efforts of privateand public land managerswho conserve nativeprairie in Saskatchewan.Some ranchers, other livestock producersand land managers arepresently doing a remarkable job inconserving their native prairies.Their efforts should be recognized.Also, information about their operationsshould be compiled and madeavailable to other ranchers.Exchange of information among alllivestock producers is an effectiveway to promote sound rangelandmanagement practices.8The conservation efforts of livestock producers should be recognized.Urbanization and cropland production have significantly reducednative prairie in Saskatchewan.Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan

Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan 9Background and RationaleProduction agriculture is the dominantland use activity on much of thesouthern Saskatchewan landscape.Since the early 1900s the availabilityand the quality of remnant nativeprairie and other natural areas havedeclined markedly due to settlementand agricultural development. Inmany regions, these natural areashave been reduced to small remnantswithin a matrix of differingagricultural uses. Although the totalarea of land used for agriculture inSaskatchewan has remained relativelystable since the 1970s, the amountand quality of these smaller remnantswithin the larger agro-ecosystemhas decreased. Many of theseareas are threatened with furtheragricultural disturbance and development,lack of active managementand invasion by exotic plants.The impact of cultivation on thenative grasslands of Saskatchewanhas been the most intensive inecoregions with the most productivesoils.Wetland and wetland margins, andlacustrine soils where potential foragricultural production is high, continueto be threatened, particularlyin eastern parts of Saskatchewan.Such areas are relatively easy tofarm, particularly in dry years, andmany are underlain with productivesoils. Institutional policies, culturalattitudes and lack of awareness havefirmly entrenched wetland drainageas an acceptable tool in agriculturalproduction.

TOCONSERVETHEREMAININGPRAIRIERESOURCECrop production dominates the moist, mixed grassland.Strip cropping in the treeless expanse of the mixed grasslands.Further north, in the ParklandEcoregion, aspen and brushencroachment continue to threatenidled grassland areas, particularlythe rough fescue grasslands.Continued loss and degradation ofthese areas place wildlife and native

biological diversity at risk. Agriculturalproductivity is dependent onthe sustainable use of resources suchas soil, water, energy and nutrients.The conservation of biodiversity alsodepends on the sustainable use ofremnant native areas, no matter howsmall. Although environmental sustainabilityin agriculture does notrely totally on maintenance of theseareas, a truly sustainable agriculturewill conserve and enhance naturalresources and the quality of the environmentfor future generations.Impediments to ConservationThe major impediments to conservationof native prairie remnant areas(including wetlands) include1:1. Impacts on farm profitability• Wetlands, wetland margins andnative prairie remnants can beseen as losses in agricultural productionand are a cost to thefarmer. Farmers attempt to maximizereturn/acre by farming allavailable land and making capitalimprovements through drainingand farming wetlands, breakingheadlands, ploughing nativeprairie, and clearing bush.Unused and marginal lands representa potential income to thefarming operation (opportunitycost). The rate and extent to whichthese unused resources are developeddepends on the inherentproductivity of the land, climaticconditions and economic or“farmability” factors such as slope,stoniness, costs of development,location and potential use withinthe farming unit.• Higher land costs and higher costsof production including changesto the Western GrainsTransportation Act (WGTA) haveincreased pressure on farmers tocrop available acreage with highvaluecrops. This is particularlytrue for leased land where therenter attempts to maximizereturn per acre in a short period oftime, often to the detriment of longtermagricultural sustainability.2. Impacts on farm productionand management

• Headlands, bush and wetland marginsare seen as sources of weeds,pests and diseases that may infestcropland. In fact, natural areasmay provide increased protectionfrom these forces.• Large machinery size necessitatesthe move to larger, more uniform10Wetlands and prairie potholes in southern Saskatchewan are extremelyimportant for migratory waterfowl and other species.1 After Grudens-Schuck, N. 1996. Barriers to farmers re-establishing natural habitat on their land.Draft discussion paper, Federation of Ontario Naturalists. 27 pp.Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action PlanSaskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan 11field size. Aspen bluffs, wetlandsand poorly designed shelter-beltsare often inconveniences andincrease management costs for thefarmer.• The costs of preserving or restoringthese areas and seeding themback to native perennial species ishigh and farmers often lack thetime and expertise to accomplishthe task.3. Loss of control of landresource and perceived risk• Many farmers fear that partnershipswith government agencies orother groups that conserve orrestore native areas will lead to anincrease in depredation by waterfowl,big game or wild predators,or restrictions in agricultural use.• Restrictions in the use of theseareas for haying or grazing can bea major problem especially if thefarmer is not involved in the managementof these areas.• There is an increased cost to thefarmer if agencies responsible formanagement do not manage properlyor devote sufficient resourcesto the task.4. Lack of incentives for preservation,restoration or management• Several government agencies anddepartments have in the past promotedand may still allowdrainage, land breaking and bushclearing, sometimes with financialand technical assistance. Thesetypes of promotions can be atcross-purposes with activities andprograms of other government

agencies and departments.• Current taxation policies at themunicipal, provincial and federallevels indirectly or directly subsidizeor encourage drainage, landbreaking and bush clearing.• Tax assessment based on propertyvalue and agricultural productivitydirects farmers to maximize productionon arable acres and toincrease arable acres.• Traditional valuation proceduresfor land minimize the worth ofwetlands, bush areas and remnantprairie areas. Often, organizationswill pay more for land that is brokenand cultivated than to preservethat same piece of land in itsexisting natural state.Objective 1: Identify andmonitor the extent andhealth of the remainingnative prairie.Acquire and interpret recent digitalland cover and soil maps for theprairies of southern Saskatchewan.Using data on the occurrence ofdepressional edge salinity, identifyareas of high risk for drainage ordestruction. Also identify whichareas require protection from cultivationand those areas requiringrestoration.Objective 2: Encourage voluntarylandowner stewardshipto conserve theremaining privately ownednative prairie.• Develop a communication strategy.• Support private stewardship programsthat involve landownerextension work.• Promote public education regardingprairie conservation.Objective 3: Fully explorethe potential for theConservation EasementsAct to conserve the nativeprairie.In general, using ConservationEasements as a tool for conservationthat excludes all other land uses isnot sustainable or acceptable to

rural communities and must beexamined in the context of thewhole agro-ecosystem.• Determine the types and levels ofincentives required for nativeprairie conservation, restorationor management (paid easement ordonated easement). Easementscould be coupled with other programsor incentives.• Determine valuation proceduresfor various types of ConservationEasements (CEs) (donated or paid)and for specific land use rights orrestrictions in land use rights.• CEs can be cumbersome and timeconsumingto implement. Developprotocols that simplify the process,agreements and valuation procedures.12• Develop protocols on the monitoringof CEs, particularly in relationto donated easements and relationshipto Revenue Canada’sincome tax provisions. Designatedgroups will need to devoteadequate resources to enforcingand managing protected areas.• Develop cost/benefit analyses for:(a) CEs where only limited rightsare granted and the landownerretains the majority of rights, forexample, in the case of the preservationof wetlands and wetlandmargins and the landowner retainsthe right to farm the arable land;and (b) CEs where the majority ofrights are donated or given away.If within a CE agreement alandowner retains some rights,then the landowner has more of avested interest in ensuring the viabilityof the CE and not renegingon obligations such as taxes.• Management costs and perceivedrisks to the landowner will bereduced if landowners areinvolved in the management ofareas protected under easements.• Seek clarification to the ConservationEasements Act and Regulationsas to whether provisions inthe Tax Enforcement Act, specificallythe right of municipalities toexpropriate property for unpaidtaxes, supersedes or takes priority

over a registered CE.• Develop partnerships and networkswith designated groups tofacilitate CE work on various habitattypes in Saskatchewan. Forexample, the SaskatchewanWetland Conservation Corporation(SWCC) is partnered with theNature Conservancy of Canada(NCC) to use CEs to secure nativeprairie. Groups interested in wetlandpreservation and restorationmay wish to partner with DucksUnlimited (DU).Objective 4: Ensure thatproperty taxation andassessment policies are atleast neutral but, in thelonger term, preferablyfavour the conservation ofnative prairie.• Determine the impact of existingtax assessment policies and landuse ratings on the conservation ofnative prairie and other naturalareas. Work to change taxationpolicies that encourage “development”of land or place an unrealisticvalue on parcels of undevelopedland.• Determine the potential costs andbenefits of implementation of aconservation land tax credit programand other income tax creditsfor conservation purposes.Objective 5:Change regulations,policies, programsand economic instrumentsthat are the most significantin terms of their negativeimpact on prairie conservation.Actions to achieve this objectiveinclude:• promote adherence to provincialwetland policies;• work to change regulations thatare in conflict with stated governmentpolicies and laws;• work with existing governmentagencies or groups to encouragemore multiple-use projects andimproved watershed management;• promote the development of watershed

conservation and/or restorationplans and improve watershedmanagement;• promote on-farm conservation planningfor conservation and enhancementof on-farm wildlife habitatand native biodiversity.Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action PlanSaskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan 13Background and RationaleThe diversity of living organisms isoften used as an indicator of ecosystemhealth. As yet, comprehensiveknowledge on the extent, conditionand distribution of remaining nativeprairie in Saskatchewan is lacking,although, as the first PCAP reportidentified, substantive changes haveoccurred. It is known that losses tonative prairie have been greatest inthe Moist Mixed Grassland andAspen Parkland Ecoregions whilethe Mixed Grassland and CypressUpland Ecoregions have fared somewhatbetter. Breaking of the nativesod and replacing it with agriculturalcrops is the primary reason for thereduction in the physical area ofnative prairie and its associated biologicaldiversity. However, othermore subtle changes have alsoimpacted the life-forms of theprairies. The control of fire, theintroduction of non-native species,overharvesting of species, climatechange, wetland drainage, industrialdevelopments and roads have allexerted effects.The dramatic decrease in the extentof native prairie has been accompaniedby the loss of biological diversity.Some species are known to have disappeared(e.g., Plains Wolf, PlainsGrizzly, Black-footed Ferret, SwiftFox) while others have sufferedsevere reductions (e.g., BurrowingOwl, Sage Grouse). However, basedon simple consideration of speciesarearelationships, many other lessvisible species (e.g., plants, insects)have probably also been extirpated.For example, a 90% reduction inarea predicts that the number ofspecies will be reduced by approximately50%. The elimination ofthese species has effected changes in

ecological patterns and processes.The large herds of native grazerssuch as bison, elk and antelope havebeen replaced by domestic livestock.Domestic livestock grazing patternsdiffer somewhat from those of thenative ungulates, resulting in differencesin vegetation composition.The permanent changes that haveoccurred in Saskatchewan’s nativeprairie, combined with the smallamount remaining, are factors whichmust be considered in future managementdecisions if native biodiversityis to be maintained.

TOMAINTAINSASKATCHEWAN’SNATIVEPRAIRIEBIOLOGICALDIVERSITYObjective 1.Ensure thatthe remaining nativeprairie is protected fromcultivation.Further losses of native prairie willresult in a greatly accelerated loss ofnative biodiversity. Remaining nativeprairie under the control of theCrown should be maintained andconserved with appropriate management,perhaps in the same way thatthe United States maintains its“National Grasslands.” The Governmentof Saskatchewan should considerthe establishment of ProvincialGrasslands, similar in nature to itsalready established ProvincialForests. The conservation of nativeprairie under private control shouldbe encouraged, for example, withthe help of Conservation Easements.Objective 2: Complete theRepresentative AreasNetwork in the prairieecoregions.Representative areas of native prairiewill maintain biodiversity and providebenchmarks by which to monitorand assess success at managementelsewhere. Selection of areas whichare truly representative is essential.Landscape features which combine adiversity of life forms must be identifiedand managed in a manner that

will allow the areas to be self sustaining.Such areas will then allowthe assessment of impacts of humanactivities in other portions of thelandscape and make modificationswhere necessary to maintain andenhance ecological integrity.Objective 3:Minimize thethreat of introduced andinvasive species to nativeprairie.Species such as Downy Brome,Purple Loosestrife and Knapweedsare highly competitive and invasive.Many such species are already threateningprairie ecosystems and havethe potential to form monoculturecommunities to the exclusion ofnative species. Monitoring all specieswith the potential to invade is essentialif the integrity of Saskatchewan’snative prairie is to be assured.Objective 4: Pursue therestoration of degradedprairie ecosystems.Some prairie landscapes no longersupport viable natural communitiesor have vegetation communities thatare severely degraded. Identificationof all such areas and implementingproper management or restorationto increase their ecological integrityis necessary if the overall objective ofretaining Saskatchewan’s naturalprairie biodiversity is to be achieved.Objective 5: Encourageand support the developmentof indicators ofnative prairie health.14Conservation of diverse landforms is essential to ensuring the maintenanceof nativebiodiversity.Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action PlanSaskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan 15Ongoing monitoring is essential forsuccess in maintaining both the biologicaldiversity and the ecologicaldiversity of the native prairie.Monitoring all components of eachecosystem would be an impossibletask but using appropriate species,communities, or other indicatorsthat are sensitive to change, can providean ongoing assessment of management

success.Objective 6:Recoverspecies and ecologicalcommunities at risk.Although the natural biodiversity ofthe native prairie has been irrevocablychanged by the extinction ofspecies, there are both species andcommunities that are at risk oralready extirpated. These are themissing links to achieving the ultimategoal of rebuilding native biodiversityin the prairies. Recovery ofthese species and communitiesshould be conducted in a mannerthat will allow them to be self-sustaining.Objective 7: Improve ourunderstanding of naturalbiodiversity.Communicating the meaning andimportance of natural biodiversity isessential. Only through properunderstanding by all members ofour society can the maximumchance of success be assured. Thecommunication mechanisms andprocesses to improve understandingmust be sensitive to the diversity ofmeans by which humans achievetheir understanding, whetherthrough scientific, traditional orspiritual means.Objective 8: Minimize theimpacts of industrialdevelopments on nativeprairie.Human activities such as mineraldevelopment and building of roadsand other transportation corridorshave the potential to negativelyinfluence native prairie. It is importantthat the impacts of these activitiesbe minimized through carefulplanning and the appropriate applicationof new technologies.Industry is working to minimize its impact on the prairies.16Background and RationaleLarge patches of native prairie,located mostly in the southwest,have provided a base for cattle andlivestock grazing and the ranchingindustry as a whole. It is reasonableto assume that ranching will continue

to provide the main income fromnative prairie in these areas. It isimportant to promote ranching andlivestock production as economicallyand ecologically beneficial to nativeprairie conservation.In contrast, the remnant nativeprairie that exists as small patcheswithin a larger matrix of cultivatedland has traditionally been viewedas wasteland. The majority of theseareas are either ungrazed and underutilized(from an economic perspective)or they are a “dumpingground” for livestock and can beovergrazed. In either situation,their long-term persistence isthreatened.In addition to grazing, othersources of income from nativeprairie will fill niche markets andwill likely be used to supplementthe overall farm income. Promotingalternative uses of native prairie,such as provided by hunting andfishing, ecotourism, seed marketingand production, and potentialbiotechnological developments, canjustify conservation on an economiclevel. There is also great potentialto promote and market nativeprairie in terms of Saskatchewan’shistory and heritage. Among theattractions of native prairie are:• paleontological / cultural artifacts– (dinosaurs, First Nations culture,European establishment,ranching history);• outdoor recreation (hiking / outbackcamping / trail rides /wildlife watching / hunting).It is important that these uses ofremnant prairie areas be undertakenwithout damaging native prairieecosystems.Objective 1: Promote theeconomic advantages ofgood range managementon remnant nativeprairie.It is important to aim informationon economic advantages of goodrange management to those areasthat are not dominated by ranching,and where less value is placed on

the benefits of sound range management.

TOPROMOTETHESUSTAINABLEUSEOFNATIVEPRAIRIETOENHANCETHEQUALITYOFLIFERemnant native prairie used largely as pasture in the Moist MixedGrassland Ecoregion.Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan

Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan 17Objective 2: Identify andpromote native prairieand its associated heritageresources as ecotourismdestinations.Actions to achieve this objectivemust include specific considerationof native prairie within the provincialecotourism strategy. Specialattention should be directedtowards promoting the ecologicallysensitive development and use ofnative prairie.Objective 3: Encourage thedevelopment of nativeplant ecovars and anative seed productionindustry, including attentionto wild-type seed production.There is a need to support and promoteorganizations with activitiesin this area. The United StatesDepartment of Agriculture (USDA),Ducks Unlimited and Agricultureand Agri-Food Canada are presentlydeveloping ecovars of several nativeplant species. A support systemshould be provided for groups andorganizations for: (1) promotingthe native plant and seed industry;(2) acting as a marketing agent fornative seeds by linking producersand buyers; and (3) developing aregistry of native prairie landownerswho would allow seed collectionon their land.Increased research funding for ecovardevelopment should be encouraged.Cooperation from theCanadian Seed Growers Associationand other users of native seedshould be encouraged to fundnative seed research and development.Ecovars and wild-type seedshould be added to the CanadaSeeds Act. Standards for seed certification,including purity and germinationstandards that are appropriateto native seed and their intendeduseshould be developed.Standards should be developed andpromoted for the collection, production,and use of wild-type seed,

with consideration given to theinteraction of where seed is collected,where it is grown and where it isused.The use and production of wildtypeseed should be promoted,especially where native biodiversityconservation is the central goal ofrestoration. Wild-type seed, collectedand grown on sites similar in conditionto the restored area, will providethe best opportunity to restoreHikers on ecotour in Grasslands National Park.indigenous genetic diversity of theplant community.The development of key seed productionsites, as determined bystakeholders such as the NativePlant Material Working Group,should be encouraged.Reclamation regulations thatrequire disturbed native areas to berestored to the pre-existing nativeplant community should be developed.Regulating reclamation procedureswill not only conservenative diversity, but also willincrease market demand for nativeseed, in turn promoting expansionof the native seed industry.Objective 4: Advance theexploration of nativeprairie for new genetic, biochemical,pharmaceuticaland other resources ofpotential use to humans.Ensure that part of any increase inthe economic benefits derived fromnative prairie is used to supportresearch and conservation. Developregulations and management plansfor the harvest of native prairiespecies whose populations aredeclining or at risk.Objective 5: Recognizeand quantify the economiccontribution of conservednative prairie andexpanded perennial grasslands.Survey the literature regarding ecologicalservices provided by nativeprairie, including carbon storageand sequestering, oxygen production,and nutrient cycling.

Coordinate this information gatheringwith other agencies, identifygaps in research, and communicatethe findings. Work with other agenciesto quantify the economic valueof such services.18Many of the native plants,such as yarrow, were a sourceof traditionalmedicine.Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action PlanBackground and RationalePublic understanding of environmentand resource-related issues iscritical for successful conservationefforts. Education and communicationat many levels are, therefore,major components of successful sustainabledevelopment programs.Communication and education programsprovide the means by whichprairie conservation goals, objectivesand methods can be impartedto citizens to permit full discussion.Those programs are importantamong government, business andcitizen groups at multiple levels: primarythrough post-secondary educationalprograms; local, First Nations,provincial and federal governmentlevels; and among tourism, industry,agriculture, oil and gas, mineralsand other sectors. Education is fundamentalin ensuring that everyoneunderstands basic issues. There aremany perspectives and questionsregarding the meaning of sustainabledevelopment and the role ofconservation among the many differentinterests on the prairies. Theyreinforce the need to take a wideranging,pluralistic perspective ongoals, practices, effects and expectations.Lessons from sustainable developmenthighlight the importance ofincluding local people in the planning,development and managementof areas. The process of involvinglocal communities is not easy.Local people in the prairies arewidely distributed over a large geographicarea and may not necessarilybe part of any established organization.Nonetheless, local residentsmust be involved in developing proposedconservation actions in order

to be able to evaluate those actionswithin the context of other options.Without active participation of localcommunities, residents may chooseto use prairie resources in less sustainableways. Education and communicationactivities in regard toprairie conservation must encouragethe integration of information intodaily behaviour.Objective: Encourage theadoption of an ecosystemmanagement approach toland across the prairieecozone.Ecosystem management is a keyapproach to achieving sustainabledevelopment goals. It requires ashift in focus from the production ofgoods and services to sustaining theviability of ecological, social and economicsystems that are necessary todeliver goods and services now andinto the future. Ecosystem managementis management-driven byexplicit goals, executed by policies,protocols and practices, and madeadaptable by monitoring andresearch based on our best understandingof the ecological interactionsand processes necessary to sustainecosystem structure and function.Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan 19

TO PROMOTE EDUCATIONANDDEVELOPCOMMUNICATION PROGRAMS REGARDINGTHECONSERVATIONANDSUSTAINABLEUSEOFNATIVEPRAIRIEWorking with individual ranchers on range planning.20This objective requires the commitmentof federal, provincial andmunicipal agencies, businesses andindustries and all citizens to think,plan and act in terms of ecosystems.Numerous programs are already inplace to facilitate the adoption ofthis objective. These include:• the Saskatchewan Grazing andPasture Technology Program

(GAPT) which provides informationand demonstration of multipleuses of the rangelandresource;• the Saskatchewan Wetland ConservationCorporation’s Native PrairieStewardship Program, StreambankStewardship Program, and WetlandRestoration Seed Program;• Nature Saskatchewan’s OperationBurrowing Owl, Last MountainBird Observatory, Partners forConservation Program and SummerEcology Camp for Kids;• the Saskatchewan ConservationData Centre’s Prairie BiodiversitySurvey;• SERM has developed with numerouspartners environmental educationprograms for Saskatchewanschools including: Project WILD,an environmental education programintegrated across the kindergartenthrough Grade 12 curriculum;Project SOILS, developed bySERM in partnership with theSaskatchewan Soil ConservationAssociation; Project WET, co-managedin Saskatchewan by SERMand the Canadian Water ResourcesAssociation;• the Provincial Crown Land LeasingProgram, Saskatchewan PasturesProgram, PFRA pastures program;• Great Sands Hills land use plan,and Manitou Sand Hills land useplan;• Ducks Unlimited Canada’s PrairieCARE Program which promotessoil, water, and wetland conservationthrough demonstrations ofsound agricultural practices,incentives to alter agriculturalpractices, and securing criticalwaterfowl habitat;• the Saskatchewan Soil Survey thatprovides information on the soilresources of the province andtheir use for agriculture;• the Certificates in AgricultureProgram of the Faculty ofAgriculture at the University ofSaskatchewan which provides ahome study credit course in soilconservation;• the Saskatchewan Soil Conservation

Association’s Direct SeedingManual that provides informationon the management areas deemedmost important for success indirect seeding in both minimumand zero tillage situations;• the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation’sWildlife Tomorrow programthat works toward preserving habitatin its natural state for all speciesof wildlife and that recognizeslandowners who set aside land forwildlife use;• the Department of Fisheries andOceans Fish Habitat in the PrairieProvinces Program that providesinformation on fish habitat in theprairie provinces – what it is, whyit is important, its threats, and howit can be protected;Numerous government and non-government programs encourage andsupport prairie conservation.Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action PlanSaskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan 21• The Prairie Farm RehabilitationAdministration’s AgriculturalShelterbelt Program that encouragesprairie landowners to establishand maintain field, farmsteadand wildlife shelterbelts for soilconservation, protection of cropsand farmyards, and the enhancementof wildlife habitat. PFRAadministers many programsthat emphasize sustainabledevelopment objectivesincluding the PermanentCover Program and theRural Water DevelopmentProgram;• the Saskatchewan WaterCorporation’s ErosionControl Assistance program;• Saskatchewan Energy andMines provides educationalmaterial through theInternet, for example onnon-renewable resourcessuch as oil and gas, electricity,base metals, andminerals for the prairiearea;• the Canadian Associationof Petroleum ProducersGuidebook for theVoluntary Climate Change

Challenge Program providesinnovative ideas toimprove training and educationthat are importantfor prairie petroleum producers;• the parks interpretive programs ofSaskatchewan Environment andResource Management, GrasslandsNational Park. and theNational Park Historic Sites providesubstantial education andcommunication opportunities toreach a wide audience.In addition to the above agenciesand groups, there are numerousorganizations whose mandatesinclude education and communicationregarding sustainable developmentand conservation for theprairies. The SaskatchewanEnvironmental Directory providesinformation on over 100 organizationsinvolved in environmentalcommunication and education. Thelarge number and breadth of organizationsis indicative of the diversityof interests focused on prairie sustainabledevelopment and conservationin Saskatchewan. Allof these organizations performa communication function totheir respective constituentsand a number have developededucational programs as part oftheir communication strategy.These organizations provide acore constituency within whichto develop numerous actionsto achieve this objective.A partnership needs to bedeveloped that formulates anddelivers a communication strategythat increases awareness ofnative prairie conservation andits use within the context ofecosystem management. Thecommunications strategy willdefine the process and mechanismsnecessary to develop andpromote resource materialsthat illustrate the principles ofprairie ecosystem management.Following the example of projectssuch as WILD, SOILS andWET, this development andpromotion should include consideration

for integration intoschool curricula.Learning about burrowing owls.22Background and RationaleConservation, in general, is a difficultconcept on which to reach agreementand it is even more difficult totake action in a broad sense. Specificsites and issues are more likely toreceive attention that will result ingains, than the large and somewhatamorphous “parenthood” issues thatconstitute conservation across abroad region like the prairies.Other factors work against ease ofimplementation as well. In suchareas as the boreal forest, or arctictundra, government is the largestland holder, and the landlord ofrecord. In the prairies it is a very differentstory. Approximately onethird of all the private land inCanada is found on the prairies. Ona regional scale it is certainly one ofthe most “owned” landscapes inCanada. This pattern of settlementand ownership has been a blessingin some respects, in that the stewardshipprovided by several generationsof ranchers and other livestockproducers has helped to preservethe native prairie (as much as isfound intact at this time).Implementing conservation programsin the prairies requires workingwith a large number of privateowners, lessees, rural and urbanmunicipalities, the provincial andfederal governments, First Nations,and a host of interest groups.Conservation of the prairies is thus amore difficult challenge than in manyother similarly scaled ecologicalregions in Saskatchewan or Canada.Program Design ElementsAll implementation programs containcertain common elements. The1998 Prairie Conservation ActionPlan (PCAP) must also address somespecial elements demanded by thespecial circumstances of prairie society,land tenure, agricultural development,and fragmentation of nativeprairie.

1. To be effective, an implementationmechanism requires thededication of resources to providefor an office and staff that can workwith the multiplicity of agenciesinvolved in the decision makingprocesses underlying the accomplishmentof the goals set out in thisdocument.2. Coordination among themany agencies involved, and withinterest groups and the public,demands a steering group that canset out work plans, delegate responsibility,speak to needs with decisionmakers, and adjust the course ofaction as circumstances dictate.3. Progress reports areessential if the whole group is to bekept involved, motivated, and up todate on priorities. Such reports mustevaluate progress and serve as thebasis for making decisions to prioritizespecific actions or changes ofdirection as needed.4. Communication of thegoals, actions, progress, problemsand need for action is required onan ongoing basis. The 1989 PCAP didnot remain highly visible and itsgoals and actions were not influentialin effecting prairie conservation.This PCAP must not suffer the samefate. A regular flow of informationthat supports the goals, reports onprogress, and involves those whoneed or want to be involved is essentialto success.5. Public meetings, seminars,workshops, open houses, andother mechanisms to convey information,make decisions, obtain feedback,and adapt the course of implementationare required. PCAP needsto be foremost in the minds of peoplemaking decisions that affect theintegrity of prairie ecosystems. Amechanism must be developed toallow the partners in this endeavourto come together and revitalize andrealign their objectives and actionsas required by the goals set out here.

IMPLEMENTATIONOFTHE

SASKATCHEWAN PRAIRIECONSERVATIONACTIONPLANSaskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan

5Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan 23Objective 1: Develop adetailed implementationplan complete with budgetand agency responsibilities.There can be no implementationprogram without adequate funding.Funding formulas can include commitmentsby participating groups,according to their abilities, as well asthe seeking of grant funding, or thesolicitation of donations to assist inmaking the program real.Objective 2: Seek formalendorsement of thedetailed implementationplan, and commitments toaction from lead and supportingagencies.An essential ingredient for success inimplementing the new SaskatchewanPrairie Conservation Action Plan willbe having all lead and support agencieson side. This requires theseagencies to recognize, in a formalway, the importance of the PCAP,and undertake to include the actionsand resources required for fullimplementation of the Plan in theiryearly budget and work plans.Objective 3:Form aSteering Committee fromthe PCAP partnership tooversee the implementationphase.The partners who came together toproduce this plan need to staytogether to ensure its success. Thiscan happen very simply by having an

ongoing steering committee thatmeets regularly and takes responsibilityfor overseeing the operation ofan implementation office, and makingthe decisions needed to ensurethat the plan meets its goals andobjectives.Objective 4: Establish ahome office for PCAP with astaff person to coordinateongoing implementationactivities among the partnergroups.An office could perhaps be found ata subsidized rental in common withone of the partner groups, in a governmentbuilding, or at one of theuniversities. Private office space maybe donated as an “in kind” contributionby a supporting company orindustry. Whatever the mechanism,an address, telephone, fax, and emailconnection to the world and aperson or people to act as ongoingcoordinators will be essential tosuccess.Objective 5: Develop a communicationprogram thatkeeps the PCAP alive in theminds of the public and inthe budgets and programsof implementing partnerorganizations.A yearly communications plan willfocus on the accomplishments of thepartnership, and those actionsrequiring further work. It will provideinformation, analysis, insight,and seek input and participation inmeeting the goals of the plan.Objective 6: Issue yearlyupdates or progressreports that outline theactivities towards theachievement of PCAP goalsand objectives, and reiteratenecessary actions toensure goals are met.A yearly progress report, whether bypress release, letter to a mailing list,or in a report that is more or less formalwill stimulate participation and

a sense of involvement and urgencyin meeting the goals. Without thispoint of reference it will be too easyfor the plan to fade from sight in theeyes of the public and the decisionmakers whose participation isrequired to make the Plan succeed.Objective 7: Organize localmeetings, and broaderregional or prairie-wideworkshops and publicinformation sessions toensure the public knowsabout the goals andprogress of PCAP.The success of the PCAP will ultimatelyrest in the hearts and mindsof the people who live, work in andlove the prairie ecoregion. Bringingpeople together in groups for discussionof specific issues, or fordeveloping strategies in relation tothe overall goals, is important inhaving the residents of the area takeownership of the ideas in the plan,making them their own values, andinsisting that action takes place.With such support, and commitmentsfrom all levels of governmentto implement the goals, objectivesand actions of this plan, success willbe assured.24 Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan

SUGGESTEDREADINGSAbouguendia, Z.1995. Seeded native plants. Grazing and Pasture Technology Program. 33 pp.Abouguendia, Z. and T. Dill.1994. Grazing systems for rangelands of southern Saskatchewan. Grazing and PastureTechnologyProgram. Agriculture Development Fund. 12 pp.Abouguendia, Z. 1993. Identification of common range plants of southern Saskatchewan -- Field guide. Grazing andPastureTechnology Program and Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food. 53 pp.Abouguendia, Z.1990. Range plan development. New Grazing and Pasture Technology Program. AgricultureDevelopment Fund.52 pp.Agriculture and Agri-food Canada.1997. Agriculture in harmony with nature: strategy for environmentally sustainableagricultureand agri-food development in Canada. Publication 1937/E, Ottawa.Commission for Environmental Cooperation. 1997. Ecological Regions of North America – Toward a CommonPerspective.CEC, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.Ecological Society of America.1995. The report of the Ecological Society Committee on the scientific basis forecosystem management.Washington, D.C.Ecological Stratification Working Group. 1996. A national ecological framework for Canada. Ottawa, Environment

Canada,State of Environment Directorate, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Research Branch, Centre for Land andBiologicalResources Research.Environment Canada. 1997. Great Plains – Prairie Ecozone - Ecozones of Canada. Poster Series published byEnvironmentCanada, Ottawa, Ontario. http://www.ec.gc.caGauthier, D.A. and D. Henry.1989. Misunderstanding the prairies. In: Endangered Spaces: the Future for Canada’sWilderness.M. Hummel (editor), Key Porter Books Limited, Toronto, Ontario.Government of Canada. 1996. Conserving Canada’s natural legacy (the state of Canada’s environment). CD-ROMversion.http://www.199.212.18.12/~soer/Hodgson, J. and A.W. Illius (editors).1996. The ecology and management of grazing systems. CAB International,Oxon, UnitedKingdom.Joyce, J.1993. Native plants: exploring grass seed production and markets. Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administrationand DucksUnlimited Canada, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.Nernberg, D.1995. Native species mixtures for restoration in the prairie and parkland regions of Saskatchewan.Canadian WildlifeService, Environment Canada, Wildlife Habitat Canada, Simpson, Saskatchewan.Prairie Conservation Forum. 1997. Alberta Prairie Conservation Action Plan. Prairie Conservation Forum,Lethbridge, Alberta.Riemer, G., T. Harrison, L. Hall and N. Lynn. 1996. The native prairie stewardship program. In: Caring for HomePlace:Protected Areas and Landscape Ecology, P. Jonker, J. Vandall, L. Baschak and D. Gauthier (editors). UniversityExtensionPress and Canadian Plains Research Center. Saskatoon and Regina, Saskatchewan.Samson, F.B. and F.L. Knopf.1996. Prairie conservation – preserving North America’s most endangered ecosystem.Washington,D.C., Island Press.Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management. 1997. Saskatchewan’s Representative Areas Network: FinalActionPlan. Government of Saskatchewan, Regina, Saskatchewan.Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management.1997. Saskatchewan’s State of the Environment Report 1997– ThePrairie Ecozone: Our Agricultural Heartland. SERM, Regina, Saskatchewan.Schmitt, K.L. and E.W. Stamm.1993. Wetland conservation and farming: is it time to look at the same issue from theother side ofthe fence. Wetland Symposium on Prairie Ecosystems, Wetland Ecology, Management and Restoration, Jamestown,North Dakota.Trottier, G.C. 1992. Conservation of Canadian prairie grasslands: a landowner’s guide. Environment Canada, CanadianWildlifeService, Edmonton, Alberta.Wiken, E.B., D. Gauthier, I. Marshall, K. Lawton and H. Hirvonen.1996. A perspective on Canada’s ecosystems: anoverviewof the terrestrial and marine ecozones. Canadian Council on Ecological Areas, Occasional Paper Number 14, Ottawa,Ontario.http://www.cprc.uregina.ca/ccea.Wilhite, D.A., D.A. Wood and K.H. Smith (editors).1995. Planning for a sustainable future: the case of the NorthAmerican GreatPlains. Proceedings of the Symposium, May 8-10, 1995. Lincoln, Nebraska. IDIC Technical Report Series 95-1.Wilson, A. and A. Tyrchniewicz. 1995. Agriculture and sustainable development: policy analysis on the Great Plains.InternationalInstitute for Sustainable Development, Winnipeg, Manitoba.World Wildlife Fund Canada.1989. Prairie Conservation Action Plan, 1989-1994. WWF Canada, Toronto, Ontario.

6Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan 25

GLOSSARYOFTERMSAbiotic:non-living; usually referring to rock, minerals, and non-organic parts of the natural environment.Biodiversity (Biological Diversity): The variety, distribution, and abundance of different plants, animalsandmicroorganisms, the ecological functions and processes they perform, and the genetic diversity they containat local,regional or landscape levels of analysis.Biotic:Of or relating to life and living beings.Ecological Integrity: The quality of a natural, unmanaged or managed ecosystem in which the naturalecologicalprocesses are sustained, with genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity assured for the future.Ecoregion:A subdivision of the ecozone (see definition below) characterized by distinctive large orderlandforms orassemblages of regional landforms, small order macro- or mesoclimates, vegetation, soils, water, andregional humanactivity patterns/uses.Ecosystem: A dynamic complex of organisms (biota) – including humans – and their physical environment,whichinteract as a functional unit in nature. Ecosystems can vary greatly in size and range from completelynatural, pristineconditions to those that have been heavily modified by humans.Ecosystem Management:A management practice and philosophy aimed at selecting, maintaining and/orenhancing theecological integrity of an ecosystem in order to ensure continued ecosystem health while providingresources, products,or non-consumptive values for humans.Ecovar (‘ecological variety’): A licensable plant species variety that is the result of the collection of plantsfrom adiversity of populations and environments with the objective of providing a genetically diverse commercialseedsource.Ecozone:An area of the earth’s surface representative of large and very generalized units characterized byinteractiveand adjusting abiotic and biotic factors.Native Prairie: Native grassland and parkland aquatic and terrestrial habitats within the Prairie Ecozone ofSaskatchewan (PCAP definition).Representative Areas Network:A system of lands and waters which are designated and managed torepresent andconserve Saskatchewan's ecological resources for current and future generations. Representative Areas actas bothreservoirs of biological diversity and as benchmarks for comparison with more heavily utilized landscapes.(RAN ActionPlan)Sustainability: The ability of an ecosystem to maintain ecological processes and functions, biologicaldiversity and

productivity over time.Sustainable Development:A conceptual ideal where development meets the needs of the presentgenerations withoutcompromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

7Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS)Dr. Roger Edwards, Environmental Conservation Branch,Prairie and Northern Region, Environment Canada, Rm 200,4999 - 98th Avenue, EDMONTON AB T6B 2X3, Phone: 403-951-8682/Fax: 403-495-2615/E-mail: roger.edwards@ec.gc.caCanadian Plains Research Center, University of Regina(CPRC)Dr. David Gauthier, Executive Director, CPRC, 3737 WascanaParkway, REGINA SK S4S 0A2, Phone: 585-4758/Fax: 585-4699/E-mail: gauthier@cas.uregina.caDucks Unlimited (DU)Mr. Phil Curry, Box 2139, Hwy 3 West, MELFORT SK S0E 1A0,Phone: 752-2791/Fax: 752-9799/E-mail: p_curry@ducks.caGrassland National Park, Parks Canada (GNP)Mr. Pat Fargey, Park Biologist, PO Box 150, VAL MARIE SK S0N2T0, Phone: 298-2257/Fax: 298-2042/E-mail: pat_fargey@pch.gc.caMr. Keith Foster (Retired), PO Box 150, VAL MARIE SK S0N 2T0,Phone: 298-2257Grazing & Pasture Technology Program (GPTP)Dr. Zoheir Abouguendia, Manager, Box 4752, REGINA SK S7P3Y4, Phone: 757-9499/Fax: 569-8799/E-mail: gapt@sk.sympatico.caNature Conservancy of Canada (NCC)Mr. Jordan Ignatiuk, 110 - 2151 Scarth Street, REGINA SK S4P3Z3, Phone: 306-787-0783/Fax: 787-0780/E-Mail: jignatiuk@wetland.sk.caNature Saskatchewan (NS)Ms. Kathleen Donauer, Vice President, 206 - 1860 Lorne Street,REGINA SK S4P 2L7, Phone: 543-1894/Fax: 787-6108/E-mail:nature.sask@unibase.unibase.comPrairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration, Agriculture &Agri-Food Canada (PFRA)Mr. Bill Bristol, Land Management Service, CIBC Tower, 603 -1800 Hamilton Street, REGINA SK S4P 4L2, Phone: 780-8155/Fax: 780-8229/E-mail: pf10153@em.agr.caSaskatchewan Agriculture & Food (SAF)Mr. Wayne Gosselin, Policy Branch, 3085 Albert Street, REGINASK S4S 0B1, Phone: 787-6586/Fax: 787-5134Mr. Greg Haase, Director, Crown Lands Branch, 3085 AlbertStreet, REGINA SK S4S 0B1, Phone: 787-5154/Fax: 787-5180Mr. Wilf Pyle, Lands Branch, 3085 Albert Street, Regina S4S 0B1,Phone: 787-7184Dr. Peter Rempel, Director, Community Pastures Branch, 3085Albert Street, REGINA SK S4S 0B1, Phone: 787-5191/Fax: 787-5180Saskatchewan Energy & Mines (SEM)Mr. Les Bernier, Senior Petroleum Engineer, EngineeringServices Branch, 1914 Hamilton Street, REGINA SK S4P 4V4,Phone: 787-2609/Fax: 787-2478/E-mail: engserv@gov.sk.caSaskatchewan Environment & Resource Management

(SERM) - PCAP CO-chairMr. Syd Barber, Regional Director, Grassland EcoRegion, 350Cheadle Street West, Swift Current S9H 4G3, Phone: 778-8527/Fax: 778-8212/E-Mail: syd.barber.erm@govmail. gov.sk.caMr. Wayne Harris, Wildlife Ecologist, Grassland EcoRegion, 350Cheadle St. West, SWIFT CURRENT SK S9H 4G3, Phone: 778-8218/Fax: 778-8212/E-Mail: wayne.harris.erm@govmail.gov.sk.caDr. Paul James, Fish and Wildlife Branch, 3211 Albert Street,REGINA SK S4S 5W6, Phone: 787-9058/Fax: 787-9544/E-Mail:paul.james.erm@govmail.gov.sk.caSaskatchewan Research Council (SRC)Mr. Bob Godwin, Research Scientist, Environment Division, 15Innovation Boulevard, SASKATOON SK S7N 2X8, Phone:933-8190/Fax: 933-7817/E-Mail: godwin@SRC.sk.caSaskatchewan Stock Growers’ Association (SSGA) - PCAPCO-chairMr. Miles Anderson, President, PO Box 86, FIR MOUNTAIN SKS0H 1P0, Phone: 266-4425/Fax: 266-4245/E-Mail: la.bar@sk.sympatico.caMr. Carl Block, Past President, Box 209, Abbey, Sask. S0N 0A0,Phone: 689-2575/Fax: 689-2707Ms. Marilyn Jahnke, Director, Box 9, Gouldtown, Sask. S0H1W0, Phone: 784-2772/Fax: 784-2772Saskatchewan Wetland Conservation Corporation (SWCC)Mr. Greg Riemer, Manager, Agriculture Services, 202 - 2050Cornwall Street, REGINA SK S4P 2K5, Phone: 787-0783/Fax:787-0780/E-mail: griemer@wetland.sk.caMs. Leslie Hall, 202 - 2050 Cornwall Street, REGINA SK S4P 2K5,Phone: 787-0782/Fax: 787-0780Mr. Tom Harrison, Rangeland Specialist, 202 - 2050 CornwallStreet, REGINA SK S4P 2K5, Phone: 787-0782/Fax: 787-0780/E-mail: tharrison@wetland.sk.caUniversity of Saskatchewan (PECOS)Dr. Josef Schmutz, Biology Department, 112 Science Place, U ofS, SASKATOON SK S7N 5E2, Phone: 966-4447/Fax: 966-4461/E-Mail: Schmutzj@duke.usask.caWorld Wildlife Fund, Canada (WWF)Mr. Alan Appleby, 3079 Athol Street, REGINA SK S4S 1Y6, Phone:586-3863/Fax: 586-3863/E-mail: aappleby@cableregina.com26 Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan

THESASKATCHEWANPRAIRIECONSERVATION

ACTIONPLANCOMMITTEE 8Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan 27O B J E C T I V ES(1) Maintain or adopt soundrangeland management practicesthat are reflective of localconditions.

(2) Foster an increased societalappreciation of the beneficialrole played by the livestockindustry in the conservationof native prairie.(3) Recognize and support theefforts of private and publicland managers who conservenative prairie in Saskatchewan.

IMPLEMENTATIONSTRATEGY: GOAL1TOSUSTAINAHEALTHYNATIVEPRAIRIEGRAZINGRESOURCEA C T I O NS1. Continue, expand and extendprograms that contribute to theproper management of rangeland.2. Continue and speed up rangelandinventory and evaluationactivities required for range planningon Crown land leases andCommunity Pastures.3. Continue funding of the Grazingand Pasture Technology Program(GAPT) beyond March 2000.4. Establish a mechanism for providingtechnical wildlife support toGAPT on an ongoing basis.1. Support programs that increaseunderstanding of the role thatmanagement plays in the conservationof native prairie.2. Establish an annual “PrairieAppreciation Week”3. Encourage and promote orderlyecotourism as a window intoranching (e.g. technical assistanceto interested ranchers, inclusion intourism publications, marketingplan).4. Articles and features in urbannewspapers.5. Support studies of native biodiversityin relation to rangelandhealth and ecological integrity.6.. Create and publicize a high profilecorporate/institutional awardfor outstanding contribution to theconservation of native prairie.1. Increase support for, and awarenessof, environmental stewardshipawards such as SSGA-RoyalBank TESAward, and Society forRange Management StewardshipAward.2. Resource Conservation PublicationT I M E T A B LEJanuary 1998-2002

(Plan by June 1998)Report to follow-upCommittee by November,1998.Details by March 1998January 1998 - March 2002(detailed plan by June1998)January 1998-2002(detailed plan by March,1998)December 1998L E AD and S U P P O RTIN G A G E N C I ESSaskatchewan Agricultureand Food (SAF); Prairie FarmRehabilitation Administration(PFRA).Saskatchewan Stock GrowersAssociation (SSGA), SAF,Agriculture and Agri-foodCanadaGAPT, SERMSSGA,SAF, GAPT, SERMSSGA,Sask. Tourism, SERMSSGA, GAPT, SERMGAPT, Semiarid PrairieAgriculture Research Centre(Agriculture and Agri-foodCanada), U of Regina, U ofSaskatchewan, WWF, SERMSERM, SSGA, SERM, GAPT,energy corporationsSSGA,GAPT, DU, SWCC, SERM,energy corporationsGAPT, SSGA, DU, SWCC, WWF28 Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan

IMPLEMENTATIONSTRATEGY: GOAL2TOCONSERVETHEREMAININGPRAIRIERESOURCEO B J E C T I V ES(1) Identify and monitor theextent and health of theremaining native prairie.(2) Encourage voluntarylandowner stewardship toconserve the remaining privatelyowned native prairie.(3) Fully explore the potentialfor the ConservationEasements Act to conserve thenative prairie(4) Ensure that property taxationand assessment policiesare at least neutral but, in thelonger term, preferably favourthe conservation of native

prairie.(5) Change regulations, policies,programs and economicinstruments that are the mostsignificant in terms of theirnegative impact on the conservationof prairie areas.A C T I O NS1. Acquire and interpret the recent digitalland cover and soils maps for southernSaskatchewan2. Identify areas of high risk for drainage ordestruction.3. Determine areas requiring preservation orrestoration.4. Utilize maps and map products as toolsfor landowner negotiation, extension andtechnology transfer.1. Develop a communication strategy.2. Support private stewardship programsthat involve landowner extension work.3. Promote public education regardingprairie conservation.1. Determine the types and levels of incentivesrequired for native prairie conservation.2. Determine valuation procedures for CEsand for specific land use rights.3. Develop protocols that simplify theprocess, agreements and valuation proceduresfor CEs.4. Develop protocols on the policing of CEs.5. Develop cost/benefit analyses for CEs.6. Seek clarification of CE Act andRegulations in relation to the TaxEnforcement Act.1. Determine the impact of existing taxassessment policies and land use ratings onconservation of native prairie. Change policiesthat encourage “development” of landor place an unrealistic value on unimprovedland.2. Determine costs and benefits of a conservationland tax credit program and otherincome tax credit programs.1. Identify and prioritize those regulations,policies, programs and economic instrumentsthat are most significant.2. Promote adherence to provincial wetlandpolicies.3. Work to change regulations that are inconflict with stated government policies andlaws.4. Encourage more multiple use projects.5. Promote the development of watershedconservation and/or restoration plans andimprove watershed management.T I M E T A B LEDecember 1998200020002000Complete by April

1998.Ongoing.Ongoing.OngoingComplete byDecember 1999OngoingL E AD and S U P P O RTIN G A G E N C I ESSERM, Saskatchewan WetlandConservation Corporation(SWCC), Saskatchewan ConservationData Centre, DucksUnlimited Canada, SaskatchewanSoil Resource Centre.SWCC, GAPT, SERMSWCC, GAPT, SERMSWCC, GAPT, SERMSERM, Ducks UnlimitedCanada, SWCC, Nature Saskatchewan,Nature Conservancy,World Wildlife Fund, ParksCanada.Saskatchewan Stock GrowersAssociation, SERM, SWCC.Saskatchewan Stock Growers’Association, SWCC, SERM, SAF.Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan 29

IMPLEMENTATIONSTRATEGY: GOAL3TOMAINTAINSASKATCHEWAN’SNATIVEPRAIRIEBIOLOGICALDIVERSITYO B J E C T I V ES(1) Ensure that the remainingnative prairie is protectedfrom cultivation.(2) Complete the RepresentativeAreas Network in theprairie Ecoregions.(3) Minimize the threat ofintroduced and invasivespecies to native prairie.(4) Pursue the restoration ofdegraded prairie ecosystems.(5) Encourage and supportthe development of indicatorsof native prairie health.(6) Recover species and ecologicalcommunities at risk.(7) Improve our understandingof native biodiversity.(8) Minimize the impacts ofindustrial developments onnative prairie.A C T I O NS1. Obtain the Crown’s commitment to maintainingnative prairie under its control.2. Promote the use of conservation easements tomaintain native prairie on private lands.

1. Develop an implementation strategy.2. Secure a network of areas which representthe natural biodiversity of the native prairie.1. Promote awareness of the threats of introducedspecies to native prairie.2. Investigate and promote methods to manageand control introduced species.3. Encourage the use of native seed mixes inpermanent cover and restoration programs,along highways, and in cities and towns.4. Develop restoration guidelines which minimizethe use of non-native species.5. Discourage the introduction of additionalnon-native species.1. Encourage the continued adoption of conservationtillage practices.2. Develop a long-term plan to increase the connectivityof native prairie areas at the landscapelevel with key restoration projects.3. Promote research which will refine restorationtechniques.1. Convene a research and management groupto complete the development of indicators.2. Implement a monitoring program based onthe appropriate indicators.1. Ensure that species at risk legislation is implementedin an inclusive fashion, utilizing the bestavailable scientific and local knowledge.2. Continue management efforts to restorespecies at risk.3. Ensure that the functions of the SaskatchewanConservation Data Centre continue.4. Ensure that the functions of the Native PrairieStewardship Program continue.1. Promote concepts of biodiversity througheducational programs.2. Increase the coordination between agenciesconducting research on native prairie.3. Respect the different ways of understandingincluding the scientific, local and traditional.1. Encourage industry to adopt less invasivetechnologies when working on native prairie.2. Encourage industry to minimize the numberand extent of roads and other linear developments.T I M E T A B LEJune 1998OngoingJanuary 1998January 2001Jan 1998 - Feb 2001OngoingFebruary 2001February 2001OngoingOngoingFebruary 2001OngoingJanuary 1999February 2001January 1999OngoingOngoing

OngoingOngoingMarch 1999OngoingOngoingOngoingL E AD a n d S UPPO R T I N G A G E N C I ESSWCC, conservation groupsSERM, SWCCSERMSERM, DUAll participantsSERM, SAF, Agriculture andAgri-Food Canada (AgCan),Universities, GNP, SWCCSERM, SWCC, SAF, GNPSERMSERM, SAF, AgCanSAF, PFRASERM, SWCC, GNPUniversitiesGNP, SERM, SAFAll participantsSERM,GNP, universitiesSERMSERM,GNP, WWF, NCC, NSSERMSWCCAll participantsSERM, universities, GAPT,GNP, WWF, NCC, GNPAll participantsSERM,SAF, PFRASERM,SAF, PFRA30 Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan

IMPLEMENTATIONSTRATEGY: GOAL4TOPROMOTETHESUSTAINABLEUSEOFNATIVEPRAIRIETOENHANCETHEQUALITYOFLIFEO B J E C T I V ES(1) Promote the economicadvantages of good rangemanagement on remnantnative prairie.(2) Identify and promotenative prairie and its associatedheritage resources as ecotourismdestinations.(3) Encourage the developmentof native plant ecovarsand a native seed productionindustry, including attentionto wild-type seed production.(4) Advance the exploration ofnative prairie for new genetic,biochemical, pharmaceuticaland other resources of potentialvalue to humans.

(5) Recognize and quantify theeconomic contribution of conservednative prairie andexpanded perennial grasslands.A C T I O NS1. Target information flow to thoseareas that are not dominated byranching, where less value is placedon the benefits of sound range management.1. Include specific consideration ofnative prairie within the provincialecotourism strategy.1. Support and promote organizationswith activities in this area.2. Increase research funding forecovar development.3. Add ecovars and wild-type seedto the Canada Seeds Act.4. Promote the use and productionof wild-type seed, especially for usewhere biodiversity conservation isthe central goal of the restorationprocess.5. Develop reclamation guidelinesthat require disturbed native areasto be restored to the pre-existingnative plant community.1. Ensure that part of any increasein the economic benefits derivedfrom native prairie goes to supportresearch and conservation.2. Develop guidelines and managementplans for the harvest of nativeprairie species whose populationsare at risk.1. Survey the literature regardingecological services provided bygrasslands, including carbonsequestering, oxygen production,and nutrient cycling.2. Coordinate this information gatheringwith other agencies, identifygaps in research, and communicatethe findings.T I M E T A B LEOngoingOngoingOngoingOngoingDecember 2002Ongoing2002OngoingOngoingFebruary 2000January 2000L E AD and S U P P O RTIN G A G E N C I ESSWCC,GAPT, SERMSWCC, DU,SERM,SaskTourismDU, Agriculture and Agri-food

Canada (AgCan), SAF, SaskatchewanNative Plant SocietyDU, SAF, AgCanAgCan, Canadian SeedGrowers AssociationDU, SWCC, GAPTSERM,SWCC, DU, SAFSaskatchewan Native PlantSociety, SAFSERM, Saskatchewan NativePlant SocietySWCCSWCC, Saskatchewan NativePlant SocietySaskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan 31

IMPLEMENTATIONSTRATEGY: GOAL5TOPROMOTEEDUCATIONANDDEVELOPCOMMUNICATIONPROGRAMSREGARDINGTHECONSERVATIONANDSUSTAINABLEUSEOFNATIVEPRAIRIEO B J E C T I V ES(1) Encourage the adoption ofan ecosystem managementapproach to land across theprairie ecozone.A C T I O NS1. Create a partnership that facilitatesthe exchange of informationregarding the conservation ofnative prairie.2. The partnership formed throughAction 1 will develop and deliver acommunications strategy thatincreases awareness of nativeprairie conservation and its sustainableuse within the context ofecosystem management.3. The communications strategywill define the process and mechanismsto develop and promoteresource materials that illustratethe principles of prairie ecosystemmanagement.T I M E T A B LEFormal Committee to beestablished by April 1998.Develop communicationsstrategy by September 1998with proposal for implementationplan.Initial publication on ecosystemsavailable by April1998; initial ecosystem managementpublications byAugust 1998. Ongoing activitiesto be defined in thecommunications strategy.L E AD and S U P P O RTI

N G A G E N C I ESUniversity of Regina, Universityof Saskatchewan, PFRA, SWCC,Nature Saskatchewan, SERM,WWFNature Saskatchewan Asabove and includingSaskatchewan Stock GrowersAssociation, SaskatchewanAgriculture and Food, SERM,SWCC and Ducks UnlimitedSERM, The Prairie EcosystemSustainability (PECOS) Studyof the University ofSaskatchewan and theUniversity of Regina, others asabove.32 Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan

IMPLEMENTATIONOFTHESASKATCHEWANPRAIRIECONSERVATIONACTIONPLANO B J E C T I V ESObjective 1: Develop a detailedimplementation plan with budgetand agency responsibilities.Objective 2: Seek formalendorsement of the detailedimplementation plan, and commitmentsto action from lead andsupporting agencies.Objective 3: Form a SteeringCommittee from the PCAP partnershipto oversee the implementationphase.Objective 4: Establish a homeoffice for PCAP with a staff personto coordinate ongoing implementationactivities among the partnergroups.Objective 5:Develop a communicationprogram that keeps thePCAP alive in the minds of thepublic and in the budgets andprograms of implementing partnerorganizations.Objective 6:Issue yearly updatesor progress reports that outlinethe activities towards the achievementof PCAP goals and objectives,and reiterate necessaryactions to ensure goals are met.Objective 7:Organize local meetings,and broader regional orprairie-wide workshops and publicinformation sessions to ensure

the public knows about the goalsand progress of PCAP.A C T I O NS1. Confirm funding sources andamounts.2. Develop and approve an annualbudget.3. Confirm agency participation.1. Transmit PCAP formally to eachlead and supporting agency.2. Seek a formal commitment to theaction items.1. Hold a founding meeting.2. Develop a general “constitution”and “rules of order.”3. Set a schedule for ongoing meetings.1. Determine suitable space andlocation.2. Furnish office as required.3. Hire staff member(s).4. Develop annual work plans.1. Develop a yearly communicationsplan.2. Release materials on accomplishmentsand issues as required inpress releases.3. Develop a newsletter and otherpublic information materials.1. Hold a yearly press conference tooutline progress, issues, and problemsareas.2. Investigate the opportunity to circulatea yearly review of progressand problems.1. Organize meetings as required todeal with local or regional issues.2. Investigate the opportunity tohold a yearly seminar, workshop orconference.T I M E T A B LEApril/May 1998April/May 1998April/May 1998June/July 1998July/August 1998February 1999- 2003As neededLEAD and SUPPORTINGAGENCIESPCAP COMMITTEEPCAP COMMITTEEPCAP COMMITTEEPCAP COMMITTEEI M P L E M E N T A T I ONCOORDINATORI M P L E M E N T A T I ONCOORDINATORI M P L E M E N T A T I ONCOORDINATOR