Fall 2020/ Spring 2021 Operation Burrowing Owl, Rare Plant Rescue, Shrubs for Shrikes, ’ Plovers on Shore, and Stewards of The Stewards of Saskatchewan program work Saskatchewan banner program, are programs of: would not be possible without the generous support of our funders: Stewards of Saskatchewan
Stewards of Saskatchewan is a suite Ten Years of Habitat of 5 voluntary stewardship programs Nature Saskatchewan is a non- Conservation for governmental, charitable, delivered by Nature Saskatchewan: Multiple Species at Risk organization of naturalists. Our Operation Burrowing Owl Re ecca ag us a itat Ste ar s ip oor i ator vision is “Humanity in Harmony Rare Plant Rescue with Nature.” ature Sas atc e a It is hard to believe that a decade has passed since Shrubs for Shrikes 206-1860 Lorne Street Nature Saskatchewan began working with landowners Plovers on Shore to conserve habitat for all species at risk, as well as the Regina, SK S4P 2L7 Stewards of Saskatchewan Phone: 1-800-667– HOOT (4668) associated biodiversity. In 2010, after a couple years or (306) 780-9273 of raising awareness about the Sprague’s Pipit, and We work with landowners and land managers to Fax: (306) 780-9263 engaging communities about many other species at conserve prairie habitat and monitor species at risk. Email: [email protected] risk, a gate sign was created with local artist Paule Through these programs, over 900 stewards are Web: www.naturesask.ca Hjertaas and the Stewards of Saskatchewan (SOS) conserving almost half a million acres of prairie and banner program was officially launched! over 200 km of shoreline habitat for species at risk For specific program information and other prairie species. please call our toll free number 1-800-667-4668 or contact the Nature Saskatchewan gratefully acknowledges funding from: Not only are the Nature Saskatchewan staff grateful following: for the volunteer participants, but so are the Sprague’s Pipits, Barn Swallows, American Badgers, Operation Burrowing Owl & We thank the following for their help in program delivery: Northern Leopard Frogs, Monarch butterflies, Chestnut collared Longspurs, Horned Grebes, Long Habitat Enhancement Canadian Wildlife Service—Environment and billed Curlews, Bobolinks, Great Plains Toads, and Kaytlyn Burrows Climate Change Canada many more species at risk that rely on the habitats Habitat Stewardship Coordinator Royal Saskatchewan Museum these participants conserve. Phone: (306) 780-9833 Moose Jaw River Watershed Stewards Inc. Email: [email protected] Saskatchewan Burrowing Owl The SOS banner program is modelled after the National Burrowing Owl Recovery Team Interpretive Centre successful Operation Burrowing Owl (OBO) program. Through OBO, Nature Saskatchewan has been Rare Plant Rescue Saskatchewan Conservation Data Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan working with landowner participants since 1987 to Ashley Vass Centre conserve and monitor habitat for Burrowing Owls. It Nature Conservancy of Canada Habitat Stewardship Coordinator is important to note that, like the Burrowing Owl, all Phone: (306) 780-9417 Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Old Wives Watershed Association species at risk serve as ambassadors for habitat Email: [email protected] Action Plan conservation to support all prairie biodiversity. Piping Plover Recovery Team SaskPower Shand Greenhouse Shrubs for Shrikes, Plovers on To celebrate and bring greater awareness to the SOS Prairie Loggerhead Shrike Recovery Team Sprague’s Pipit Recovery Team Stewards of Saskatchewan gate sign that banner program, shirts and stickers showcasing a Shore, & Stewards of Saskatchewan landowners receive in recognition of habitat sketch of the Monarch butterfly, created by local artist Recovery Team for Plant Species at Risk in the conservation. Sketch: Paule Hjertaas banner program Jason Thiry, have been created. The Monarch is a Rebecca Magnus Prairie Provinces great ambassador for habitat conservation, as it Habitat Stewardship Coordinator The SOS banner program has been fortunate to have Phone: (306) 780-9832 many full time and term staff, as well as many Continued on page 2... Email: [email protected] indirect contributors, who all A special thank you goes out to our participating Nature Saskatchewan staff with Friends of St. Victor Petroglyphs who conserve and made the program successful monitor habitat for Monarchs and other species at risk. Photo: Rebecca Magnus Conservation Easements & over the years. However, that landowners and volunteers! success would not be possible General Stewards of Saskatchewan without the nearly 165 volunteer Information participants that conserve Melissa Ranalli Check us out on social media to stay up to date with our current news! 86,185 acres of habitat at 598 Species at Risk Manager sites. All of these conservation Phone: (306) 780-9270 minded Saskatchewanians are Email: [email protected] the heart of the program, and more specifically our eyes and ears out on the land. The views expressed herein are solely those of Nature Saskatchewan or the respective author(s) of the articles. Printed on 50% recycled Forest Stewardship Council paper
Stewards of Saskatchewan Volume 15
Subscribe to Nature Saskatchewan’s monthly ...Ten Years of Conservation, Nature Saskatchewan e newsletter! continued from page 1 Staff Update Stay up to date with events, conservation news, and more serves as a reminder that our world is Rebecca Magnus , Habitat Stewardship Coordinator, Nature Saskatchewan Please go to www.naturesask.ca/who we interconnected and that we are a part of are/contact us to subscribe. nature. In order to save Monarchs, birds We are happy to announce that Lacey and wildlife, we must conserve the Weekes has returned to her Conservation habitats on which they rely. Please visit and Education Manager role, and that What’s Inside the Nature Saskatchewan website Ashley Vass has returned to her Rare Plant (www.naturesask.ca) to get your limited Rescue Coordinator role. Please join us in this Issue: edition shirt. All proceeds from the sales welcoming them back from their maternity will support the Stewards of leaves. We would like to thank Shirely Bartz Ten Years of Conservation …………….………... 1 Saskatchewan programs. Also, follow us and Emily Putz for their hard work and on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for dedication to the Stewards of Saskatchewan Staff Update………….. .…….…………………….… 2 a chance to win a free shirt and stickers! programs. Shirley kept the programs going PCAP’s Multi SAR Tool…………………………...3 while I was in Lacey’s role, and Emily has The contributions of our local artists are been keeping Rare Plant Rescue going while Longspur ID tips …………………………...…….…3 just one example of how people are Ashley was away. We would like to give a participating in the SOS program, even if special thank you to Emily for continuing to Conserving Sandhills .…….……………………… 4 they don’t own habitat. We all have ways fill roles over the past few years and into the in which we can contribute. Whether it be On line Management Tool for Producers ….4 future. I am now, once again, back to my directly conserving the land you own, or permanent role as the Habitat Stewardship A Rare Winter Texas Visitor……………………..6 joining community science projects to Coordinator for the Shrubs for Shrikes, steward the landscapes and monitor for Plovers on Shore, and Stewards of Consumer Conservation .………….………….….7 species at risk, there is something for Saskatchewan banner programs. I everyone. For more information on how encourage you to reach out to any of us at Sask’s Bumble Bees ………..……………..………. 8 you can participate or contribute, please any time. We look forward to continuing our Count Birds for Science …………………………..9 email [email protected]. important work together with your support. SOS During Covid 19 …………….………….…10
Cypress Hills Forest Expansion………………11 River valley habitat near Burstall Saskatchewan; just one of the many beautiful
landscapes that SOS staff has had the pleasure of surveying. Photo: Beth Dolmage Mountain Bluebirds……………………………..12 More than “Just Ranching” …..……………...13 Sask Bats and Deadly WNS …………………..14 Species Spotlight …... …………………………..14 Know Invasive Weeds SCCWS Event …….15
Raise a Glass to Stewards of Sask!
$1 from every litre of Saskatchewan made Prairie Sentinel Cider sold goes to Stewards of Sask species at risk programing! 2 Species Spotlight: The Prairie Rattlesnake Deadly White Nose A New Tool to Help Manage Syndrome and (Crotalus viridis viridis) Habitat for Multiple Species Saskatchewan’s Bats at Risk ra o ur a iversity o Sas atc e a Burrowing Loggerhead aro y au et a ager Prairie o servatio Owl This past Halloween came and went, and ctio P a Shrike while the streets may not have been as lively Piping Sprague’s as in previous years, families were still getting Plover Pipit into the spirit by decorating their homes. A Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action staple of Halloween décor are the winged Plan (SK PCAP) has developed habitat silhouettes of bats, who have garnered attribute guides for nine individual species To help determine population size and distribution of Species at Risk themselves quite the fearsome reputation. at risk (Little Brown Bat, Monarch Butterfly, Please Report Sightings To: 1 800 667 HOOT (4668) Much of this reputation though is based on Swift Fox, Baird’s Sparrow, Chestnut myth, and bats actually have quite a positive collared Longspur, Loggerhead Shrike, Sightings contribute to habitat conservation through influence on our lives. Saskatchewan is home Northern Leopard Frog, Burrowing Owl, and landowner stewardship and research and development to eight species of bats, each of which are Piping Plover) that occur within south through the SK Conservation Data Centre. Personal insectivores, meaning they eat solely insects. western Saskatchewan. Each individual information is never shared. In a single night, a bat can eat up to 50% of guide provides information about a species’ their body weight in insects! It is estimated optimal and suboptimal habitat Photo: Ashley Vass requirements as well as beneficial that in North America bats potentially provide characteristics. It will also contain management practices. These species may billions of dollars worth of value to the In Canada, Prairie Rattlesnakes are found in southeastern Alberta and southwestern graphical illustrations of the optimal have similar or differing habitat needs which agricultural sector in pest control. Saskatchewan near hibernacula, or overwintering burrows. and suboptimal values for certain may present challenges when managing Bats help to protect our food and save habitat attributes for each species so One of nine snake species found in the province, the Prairie Rattlesnake is our only Pit habitat for multiple species. that land managers can see the overlap farmers money, and it is now more then ever Viper. that they need our help. North America’s bats SK PCAP is in the process of developing and differences in habitat needs have been under attack recently, and in the Its colouring is variable from yellowish tan to grayish brown and has dark blotching two complementary products that will be between species. There’s much to eastern parts of Canada and the USA some along the length of its body. available to land managers interested in consider while managing grasslands, areas have lost more than 90% of their cave It can grow to become fairly large, adults grow to ~1.2 meters long. In Saskatchewan, managing habitat for multiple species. The and we’re hoping these two products dwelling bats. The culprit is a type of fungus only the Bullsnake is larger, occasionally exceeding 2 meters. first product will be a spatial tool, where will provide more information to land which causes a deadly disease called White landowners and managers will be able to managers that will lead to improved Nose Syndrome (WNS). First detected in New It can be most easily differentiated from our other snake species by its segmented search for their quarter sections to find out habitat for multiple species at risk. rattle at the end of its tail, and its triangular head with two heat sensing pits below its York in 2006, the fungus grows on what species at risk could potentially occur eyes and vertical pupils. The completed habitat attributes on their land based on predictive models. hibernating bats and damages their skin. This guides for the nine species can be found Landowners and managers can then use that causes them to wake up and expend their This species is not aggressive but will bite if it feels seriously threatened. It has two here: https://www.pcap sk.org/for land retractable fangs in its upper jaw and can inflict a painful and potentially deadly information to look at the second part of the precious energy (fat) stores that they need to managers/resources survive over winter until they can forage for venomous bite. However, most bites are reportedly “dry bites,” where venom is not tool, which will describe different ecological insects again in the spring. Dramatic injected, and serious injury can be significantly reduced with prompt medical sites (ecosites), and their specific potential The new multi species attribute guide population declines have led to two of our attention. natural community and specific physical site Monarch, Swift Foxes, and Northern Leopard will be available in Spring 2021. Frog. Three of PCAPs nine focal SAR. eight Saskatchewan bat species, the Northern Due to widespread fear of snakes in general, along with the risk of a venomous bite, Photos: Ashley Vass Long Eared and Little Brown Bat, being listed Prairie Rattlesnakes have been the subject of widespread human persecution. As a as endangered species in Canada. result, along with significant habitat loss, the Prairie Rattlesnake population has seen significant declines in recent years. In 2018/2019 WNS was detected in both Meet the Longspurs that Summer in Saskatchewan: ID tips Manitoba and Montana and, as it is estimated to take 1 2 years for it to travel into a neighbouring province, it is Chestnut collared Longspur highly likely that it has reached Saskatchewan or will do so in the McCown’s Longspur Little Brown Bat; nose with fungus, New York, Oct. 2008. Photo: very near future. To be able to properly prepare and manage for (Rhynchophanes mccownii) Shared traits: (Calcarius ornatus) WNS, it is important to know where bats over winter as it is Ryan von Linden/New York Department of Environmental Conservation Medium sized grassland songbirds with Chestnut patch (https://www.flickr.com/photos/50838842@N06/5765048293) during this time that they are most susceptible to the fungus and short, thick bills, and elongated claws on their on nape are most likely to spread it to one another. However, to this day, hind toes there are no confirmed over wintering sites for bats that have Chestnut patch Ground nesters, preferring grazed short and been located in Saskatchewan. Commonly called “hibernacula”, on shoulder these over wintering sites are typically found in caves or deep mixed grass prairie crevices that allow for the bats to escape the freezing winter Eat seeds and insects conditions outside. White chin Yellow chin Threatened species under the Species at Risk Black “V” Dr. Jeffrey Lane’s lab at the University of Saskatchewan Act (although the Chestnut collared Longspur (www.lanelab.ca) has recently started a project looking for bat Black “T” is being considered for Endangered status) hibernacula as well as bat maternity roosts (where mother bats Main threats are habitat loss and degradation raise their young in the spring). Brandon Burda is the current project lead ([email protected]) and would love to hear from anyone that may have questions or may know of any caves Distinctive features: or buildings which may house bats. You might be able to help discover Saskatchewan’s first recorded bat hibernacula! If we are Location of the chestnut patch able to locate these important bat habitats, we may be able to Colour on the chin better prepare and manage for the spread of WNS and conserve 14 our province’s important bats. Photo: Ashley Vass Black mark on tail (seen in flight) Photo: Ashley Vass 3 Melissa Ranalli, Species at Risk Manager As Species at Risk Manager, my admiration for Saskatchewan's natural landscapes, unique species, and the people that steward them continue to motivate me. Soon after completing a BSc Honours degree in Biology at the University of Regina and a MSc on green roof plant ecology at Saint Mary's University in Halifax, I started working for Nature Saskatchewan in 2009. During my time with Nature Saskatchewan, government priorities have changed and program funding has come and gone, but our program stewards’ unwavering commitment to habitat conservation has allowed the SOS programs to persist. I am very grateful for this commitment, and mindful of it whenever I enjoy Saskatchewan's outdoors, particularly during the last seven months or so when time outside has brought so much peace and calm to me and my family. I wish you and yours good health in the coming year, filled with as much time outside as possible!
with over 200 heritage resource sites of species, the development of a new natural archaeological and cultural significance area conservation plan for Saskatchewan’s within the area. The priority area also Southwest Sandhills is made possible contains medicinal plants important to thanks to generous donors and partners like Conserving Sandhills Indigenous communities. you!
ature o serva cy o a a a Home of the Ord’s Kangaroo Rat For more information about NCC’s science Sas atc e a Regio (endangered), Dusky Dune Moth based conservation work in Saskatchewan, (endangered), Gibson’s Big Sand Tiger visit conservegrasslands.ca. Saskatchewan’s Southwest Sandhills are Beetle (threatened) and many other at risk a delight for bird watching, nature photography and fun in the sand. Recently, the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) was awarded funding through the Government of Canada’s Nature Fund to develop a new natural area Loggerhead Shrike; Photo credit: Kim Mann conservation plan for the sandhills. Located west of Swift Current and extending to the Alberta border, and north from the Cypress Hills to the South Saskatchewan River. This area includes the Great Sandhills and seven additional sand hill complexes, and provides habitat for 38 species at risk. It features a mosaic of habitats, including sand dunes, native grasslands, wetlands and associated vegetation that support a diversity of species.
The area has a long history of supporting ranching. Grazing animals are an important part of the ecosystem and help support a diversity of species to help maintain the health of the grasslands. The area is of historical, cultural and spiritual significance to Indigenous communities, Southern SK Sandhills. Photo provided by Nature Conservancy of Canada
Canada Nature Fund, the Canadian Forage On line Habitat and and Grassland Association (CFGA) is leading Biodiversity Management Did you know? a two year project that addresses the Tool Being Developed for agriculture priority sector identified under Saskatchewan Producers Saskatchewan is home to the Pan Canadian Approach to Transforming Species at Risk Conservation in Canada. Tru y e y orsyt e a a ia orage a both the country’s largest rass a ssociatio The CFGA is working with national and and second largest provincial stakeholder committees, With financial support from Environment governments, NGOs, and agricultural active sand dunes. and Climate Change Canada as part of the 4 associations to develop province specific, on Trying to decide line habitat and biodiversity management tools that could potentially be linked with other which forage species environmental farm delivery programs. The project best suit your builds on an existing tool in Alberta, supported by operation? the Species at Risk Partnerships on Agricultural Land, with the goal to assist interested landowners Check out upick.beefresearch.ca, to support habitat management on their land that for an interactive forage species benefits both their farm stability and biodiversity. selection tool for Western Canada The habitat and biodiversity assessment tool has shown promise as a cost effective means of helping square, the height should be eight inches, producers become more aware of practices they the bottom of the one and one/half inch can undertake, or may already be doing, to help entrance hole should be six inches above the wild species. It achieves this by using information floor. A roof overhang above the entrance on species occurrence and habitat at the farm level will help to stop driving rain from entering to determine the conservation measures that a the box. If Raccoons are in the area, fashion given producer can undertake to conserve species a small wire mesh tunnel guard over the and habitats. entrance of the house that allows the birds The main input required by the producer is their to enter, but discourages raccoons from land location and some land cover information. reaching into the nest. The output is a producer friendly report on what Male Mountain Bluebird. Photo: May Haga practices are relevant on the farm for conserving
It is estimated that there were about 10 wild species and which conservation programs are critical habitat for bluebirds and many billion birds in North America in the 1970s. available to support action. Mountain Bluebirds Today that number has declined by three other species that find a home in these Contractors in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and billion, or 30%. Unfortunately, the or e Scott islands of habitat. Since 1969 I have Nova Scotia are currently collecting and processing grassland bird decline is steeper, at 50%, banded over 9,000 bluebirds including data to customize the tool for each province. Mountain Bluebirds are one of the more some 500 this year. Banding has shown with some species dropping by up to 90% of colourful harbingers of spring. Arriving in that the bluebirds winter in the central and former numbers. A number of factors Saskatchewan Project March, they can be seen flitting along fence southern mid west United States. Adult contribute to the loss, but loss of natural Saskatchewan Prairie. Photo: Heather Peat Hamm Ecologist Heather Peat Hamm is conducting the work for the CFGA lines when there is still snow on the ground. females sometimes return to the same nest habitat is the main reason for the decline of project in Saskatchewan. Working with a steering committee of Bluebirds are cavity nesting birds meaning box or at least the same area to nest each all species. We can all help our native flora Loggerhead Shrike; Photo credit: Kim Mann people involved with species at risk in the province, Heather is they need a hollow tree, or some other cavity year. Surprisingly, few young birds are and fauna by providing natural habitat, developing the background information and requirements for the in which to nest. In 1965 I had my first found nesting in subsequent years. Like nesting sites, food, and shelter. Landowners public interface of the online habitat and biodiversity assessment tool bluebirds nesting in nest boxes on our farm at many small birds most young do not participating in Nature Saskatchewan's for Saskatchewan. Indian Head. The number of bluebirds nesting survive their first year of life. I have stewardship programs are making a continued to increase until the 1980s. I had captured nesting females that were six valuable impact by voluntarily conserving Peat Hamm says the Saskatchewan roll out of the habitat and some 25 to 30 pairs nesting each year on the years old. I believe the oldest banded over 450,000 acres and 139 miles of biodiversity assessment tool, which could be linked to farm. The numbers gradually decreased over bluebird recorded made it to nine years. shoreline habitat for our native an environmental farm plan, would enable a one place interface for the next 25 years. In 2014, the last pair nested Saskatchewan species. Contact Nature ranchers and farmers to look for innovative ways to improve their on the farm. The Mountain Bluebird, the most If you do not have bluebirds in your Saskatchewan by calling 1 800 667 4668 or practices in terms of environmental conservation. common bluebird species in Saskatchewan, area, you very likely can attract Tree visit their website www.naturesask.ca for “Utilizing these services, in conjunction with programs designed to can still be found in preferred habitat. River Swallows to nest in the same size of nest more information on how you can join their directly help with the implementation of conservation practices, will valleys, undeveloped grasslands, aspen box. Some basic measurements to keep in efforts in protecting habitat for our native further the ability of producers to increase the sustainability of their parklands, and the Cypress hills region are the mind; the inside should be five inches wildlife. land and their farm as a whole,” she says. “While the perception may last strong holds for bluebirds in be that such conservation practices are beyond the reach of most Saskatchewan. Publicly owned community Mountain Bluebird on a nest box occupied by a Tree Swallow. Photo: Kaytlyn Burrows farmers, there are many practices offered that reinforce current pastures such as Strawberry Lakes Provincial practices, and also many that require only small tweaks to current Pasture south of Indian Head, as small as it is, practices, on native and tame fields and wetland areas.” still has bluebirds nesting. This year I had four pair of the uncommon Eastern Bluebirds Why it’s important nesting as well as Mountain Bluebirds in the The vast majority of the southern half of the province of pasture. Saskatchewan is under management focused on agricultural production and native prairie is the habitat of some of My daughter, who lives at Eastend, Saskatchewan's most at risk species. Saskatchewan, and I have set out bluebird nest boxes, as have other people in the area. “This project will help with management of these The Frenchman River Valley and coulees habitats in ways that help both the species at risk and provide ideal habitat for nesting bluebirds. the land managers,” says Peat Hamm. During the 300 mile drive from Indian Head to Eastend along the Trans Canada Highway “For industrial landscapes without grasslands, this project will also there is no suitable habitat for bluebirds. It is endeavour to provide conservation practices for use in monoculture very important that we strive to reduce cropping situations.” development in these last vestiges of 12 Bluebird nest box with Raccoon guard. Photo: Heidi Topham 5 Kaytlyn Burrows, Operation Burrowing Owl Coordinator For as long as I can remember, I have always had a connection with nature. When I was a kid, growing up in Regina, I would spend every minute I could outside. I remember the struggle my parents had to endure trying to convince me to come in for supper! This connection has led me to who I am today and the focus of my career. I am a Habitat Stewardship Coordinator with Nature Saskatchewan, in particular, I coordinate our longest running stewardship program, Operation Burrowing Owl. I have been in this position since July of 2013 (with the exception of an education leave in 2018 2019). Prior to that, I spent a year as the Office Coordinator, as well as a summer as a member of the Rare Plant Rescue search and monitoring crew. I graduated from Lakeland College in 2012 with an Environmental Science Diploma in Conservation and Restoration Ecology and I recently returned to school and am planning to graduate this spring with my B.Sc. in Environmental Biology from the University of Regina. I am incredibly fortunate to love what I do and I hope I can continue to share my passion for nature, the prairies, and conservation!
A Rare Winter Texas Visitor ary ay S oruppa S is i i e Service a a Price ueces ou ty oasta Par s
In 2017, a project to benefit the western Burrowing Owl, a rare migratory bird visiting the Coastal Bend, was completed by Dylan Kurtz, a local 16 year old Boy Scout. The Boy Scouts of America, Troop 949 partnered with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Texas Coastal Ecological Services (Service) in Corpus Christi and Nueces County Coastal Parks (County) to complete the project. Dylan was especially interested in a service project that benefitted wildlife conservation near his home on Padre Island. A Burrowing Owl project had been talked about between the County and the Service for more than a year but neither had First Burrowing Owl sighting. Photo: Callan Price the manpower to bring the project to reality. Dylan heard about the idea and the uniqueness Bend during the winter months. The project owls and/or evidence of owl use within the of the project appealed to him. location on Padre Island was chosen because it site. No sightings or visual evidence of a is in a remote area on 4,680 acres of grassland Burrowing Owl was found (such as owl Mammal burrows within native grasslands owned by Nueces County. The eight feathers, white wash or droppings, owl pellets, are not plentiful in South Texas; as a result, burrows were strategically placed and etc.) during the first two years, however, Burrowing Owls often roost in less than safe stabilized by Dylan and his troop on October monitoring efforts continued optimistically structures such as road culverts and sometimes 14th, 2017. with the passing winters. in highly altered habitats such as agricultural fields. Dylan’s service project involved the Since the project completion, the Service Fall migration and the approaching winter construction of eight artificial burrows for the and the County have continued to monitor this months are always accompanied by the benefit of the western Burrowing Owl which site each winter when these migratory owls familiar onset of anticipation at the project depends upon burrows for survival. The move south to warmer latitudes from their site. This time last winter (2019) was no artificial burrows constructed in the project will Canadian summer burrows. Hopeful that a different, with one exception. A routine field provide roost sites, protection from weather, Burrowing Owl may benefit from the habitat survey in November resulted in the first and protection from predators in the Coastal constructed by Dylan and the Boy Scout western Burrowing Owl sighting among the Troop, the site was periodically surveyed for artificial habitat installed by Troop 949! How rewarding it was to document the success of Dylan's service project. Now, as project monitoring efforts head into the 4th winter here on the Gulf Coast of Texas, we are thrilled to share with the Stewards of Saskatchewan the encouraging field season we had, and the wonderful accomplishment of The Boy Scouts of America in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Nueces County Coastal Parks. Hopefully, several more lucky Burrowing Owls will soon find Dylan’s custom made artificial burrows and, like our other Winter Texans, will spend this and many future winters in style while enjoying the abundant food and mild temperatures of the Coastal Bend.
6 Artificial Burrowing Owl habitat installed by Troop 949. Photo: Callan Price Emily Putz, Database Technician Have you considered Hello Everyone! I have always loved nature and though I grew up in Make a Difference joining a Local Nature the city, most of my spare time has always been spent outdoors. I am Society? so thankful to have grown up surrounded by the beauty of through Consumer Saskatchewan’s prairies and the unique species that make it their Conservation Nature Saskatchewan has many local societies located throughout home! I first started working for Nature Saskatchewan as a ere ig ess ig ess iso Saskatchewan. Due to Covid 19 Summer Assistant while I was still a student in 2014 and instantly many of the local societies have knew that it was a place I would strive to come back to in the future. I graduated from the University of Regina in 2015 with a Using your consumer dollars to support limited their field trips to companies that are doing positive social and members only. Don't miss out on degree in biology, with concentration in ecology and environmental work is becoming more some awesome field trips and environmental biology. I have had the great opportunity to presentations with some great work with a number of different species throughout my popular all the time. Companies with green people, look into joining a local career, mainly species at risk, and in late 2016 was lucky credentials are heavily advertising nowadays, society today! enough to be hired as a Habitat Stewardship Coordinator for with some companies having a large impact, Rare Plant Rescue. Since my initial term as RPR and others maybe not so much. It can be Find local societies at coordinator, I’ve worked in a variety of positions with hard for consumers to understand their naturesask.ca Nature Sask including Database Tech, RPR assistant, OBO impact, but despite the whole green washing Coordinator, and I’m very happy to once again be debate, I think there is real good that can continued on as the Database Tech. It’s been so come from consumers spending their dollars wonderful to meet many of you and I hope to connect wisely. with more in the years to come! For people living in Saskatchewan who care Wigness Bison Ranchland. Photo: Wigness Bison about our local grasslands and endangered landowners and families. We would have health assessments, and were grateful native animals, there are spending options searched for and monitored rare plants. for the landowner permissions and for that support responsible stewardship of market for conscientiously raised food. members of three Nature Saskatchewan We would have held locally catered the warm weather so late in the season! native grasslands. While the environmental Pine View farms and Farm 140 outside programs – Operation Burrowing Owl, Shrubs Conservation Awareness and Appreciation impact of our food supply is complicated, Saskatoon are a few examples. for Shrikes, and Stewards of Saskatchewan. suppers with like minded neighbours, Even through these adaptations, we there are some food decisions that are clearly Delivery to Regina or Saskatoon can be chatting and sharing stories about each have much work to complete through the Your local farmers market may help better than others. Large scale barn raised arranged. As an added bonus, there is usually a other’s operations, and interesting wildlife winter and into the spring. For instance, you find environmentally friendly food. chicken and pork you buy at your grocery significant savings when buying in bulk as seen around the area…and the list goes please watch for information about our store is a poor choice for biodiversity. Grass opposed to piece by piece at a grocer. on… upcoming Conservation Awareness and You should ask some questions of the Appreciation virtual events. While we finished, pasture raised beef or bison is one farmers and ranchers you buy from. Some Instead, we were challenged to come up are disappointed they can not be in of the better choices. “Happy” chicken, producers might be using an industrial While you might only make a small with a different way to reach out to person this year, we will work hard to turkey, and lamb raised in an open production model and passing it off as eco difference with your purchasing landowners and their families. With our ensure a great and informative event environment on an acreage can also be a friendly. decisions, the small differences can annual participant census about 40% good choice from an animal welfare while connecting with you all safely. add up to a large impact if more completed, we are on track to complete and During these events, we will not only perspective. If you are interested in trying a quarter reach our goal of a 90% response. As we or eighth of grass finished bison you are people make wise consumer choices. Emily Putz conducting species surveys. give you updates about the programs, are following up on the census over the My wife and I describe animals welcome to contact myself at Photo: Ashley Vass but we will feature presentations with phone and video chats, we have really our partners and about species at risk in raised in a natural outdoor [email protected]. We are appreciated the conversations and hearing Saskatchewan. Please note that if we do environment as “happy” animals How We Are Adapting the how everyone is managing through this not have your email address, you are they have a good life with just one strange and difficult time. Stewards of Saskatchewan welcome to email us at bad day. Programming During the Through adaptations to field protocols, [email protected] and we will be COVID 19 Pandemic we were grateful to get out to conduct a sure to add your information, otherwise, So how do you find farmers and ranchers modified version of our grid road searches you can expect a mailed invitation with who have environmentally friendly dates and details early in the new year. Re ecca ag us a itat Ste ar s ip oor i ator in July to find new occurrences of species operations? ature Sas atc e a at risk. It was strange not being able to stop Thank you so much for what you do to and catch up with locals (as we normally contribute to habitat conservation and a Quite a few ranchers advertise quarters of Normally, Stewards of Saskatchewan would), but we were able to record many healthy environment. We are in good beef and bison for sale on Kijiji. programming would have taken place in species at risk occurrences and we will be hands knowing that so many people care person around Saskatchewan this past spring A new app for your phone came out this following up with those landowners in the and have found ways to help nature. We and summer. We would have reached out and fall called Meatocracy. The app is months to come. We were also able to get appreciate you, and we can’t wait to hear had face to face visits with over 100 designed to connect consumers directly out on a few pastures to conduct range all your stories about ways you have with ranchers. There are a variety of adapted and continued to conserve products posted, but mostly its quarters habitat for species at risk. and eighths. It is worth checking out. Thank You to Our Stewards! Lastly, If you are on social media, we We dedicate the Stewards of Saskatchewan newsletter to you, our stewards. encourage you to follow and subscribe to Word of mouth is great. If someone you Collectively, your individual actions to conserve habitat are of great importance, not Nature Saskatchewan on Facebook, know recommends a producer to you, only for species at risk and other native plants and animals, but for a healthy prairie. Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. This is then they almost certainly make a good Your appreciation and understanding of the natural world will ensure its beauty and a great way to keep up to date on all the quality product. wonderful work Nature Saskatchewan is function is preserved for future generations. Thank you for your continued dedication doing! Outside of Saskatoon and Regina, there and commitment—without your support, our programs would not be possible. are some producers who have developed a Nature Saskatchewan is proud to work alongside you! 10 Grazing Bison herd. Photo: Wigness Bison 7 implicated as a contributing factor in the that allows you to photograph and record Saskatchewan’s Bumble Bees – decline of other bumble bee species species sightings to a growing database of Diversity and Conservation elsewhere in Canada. In addition, we species across the globe. iNaturalist can provide automatic identifications that are irste Pa mier a ory S S e ie reported on the first occurrence of a newly usually quite good for bumble bees, and iversity o Regi a Roya Sas atc e a useum characterized pathogen, Crithidia expoeki, most specimens are subsequently verified in Canadian bumble bees collected in by experts. Currently there are 784 Saskatchewan. Our research is continuing to observations of bumble bees from focus on pathogen prevalence in Saskatchewan in iNaturalist, representing Saskatchewan bumble bees and the only 59% of our species. Much of the province has no records of bumble bees, relationship of these pathogens to the especially in far northern areas. bumble bee’s gut microbiome, or the Contributing to citizen science through bacterial and fungal community members iNaturalist is very beneficial to increasing that reside in their digestive tracts. our knowledge of the province’s fauna. This is especially true for the many One of the best ways to species that occur only in certain parts of contribute to bumble bee the province. For instance, B. cryptarum is now confirmed in Saskatchewan, conservation is through iNaturalist though we only have one record, from the (https://www.inaturalist.org), a phone app far north.
Table 1. List of bumble bee species recorded from Saskatchewan. Those with an * are species at risk in Canada (as per the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, COSEWIC). Species not Figure 1. Bombus suckleyi, the newest at risk included in Curry (1984) are indicated as new records or as records published in Williams et al. (2014). bumble bee species in Saskatchewan. Photo: Cory Sheffield Subgenus Species Notes
Bumble bees are among the most familiar, if Bombias Bombus nevadensis not most charismatic of insects – their large size (especially queens), hairy bodies, and somewhat Bombus Bombus cryptarum Newly confirmed characteristic colour patterning makes them a *Bombus occidentalis occidentalis favourite of naturalists and the public alike. The term “bumble bee” is broadly applied to bees of *Bombus terricola the genus Bombus, which are closely related to the Cullumanobombus Bombus griseocollis Newly confirmed non native honey bees, Apis mellifera. Globally, there are over 250 species, 48 of these occurring Bombus rufocinctus in North America. Thus, the term bumble bee, Psithyrus *Bombus bohemicus when applied to Saskatchewan, could actually refer to as many as 27 species (Table 1). Bombus flavidus
Since the bumble bees of Saskatchewan were Bombus insularis reviewed in a museum publication by Philip Curry *Bombus suckleyi in 1984, the fauna has changed somewhat, with six new species recorded in the province: B. Pyrobombus Bombus bimaculatus Newly confirmed bimaculatus, B. cryptarum, B. griseocollis, B. flavifrons, B. sandersoni, B. lapponicus sylvicola, Bombus centralis and another species that is now commercially Bombus flavifrons Williams et al. (2014) managed and sold for greenhouse crop pollination, B. impatiens (Table 1). Though B. Bombus frigidus appositus was also recorded from Saskatchewan, Bombus huntii we have not yet been able to confirm this. Bombus impatiens Introduced, not yet established In the last few decades, concern over the provinces’ bumble bees has also increased, with Bombus melanopygus four species considered species at risk in Canada Bombus mixtus (Table 1, and Figure 1). However, in Saskatchewan the declines have not been as pronounced as in Bombus perplexus other areas of Canada, though these species were Bombus sandersoni Newly confirmed never as common in the province as they are elsewhere. Bombus lapponicus sylvicola Williams et al. (2014)
Our ongoing research at the University of Bombus ternarius Regina and Royal Saskatchewan Museum has provided some very interesting information on our Bombus vagans vagans bumble bees. For instance, we made the first Bombus vancouverensis nearcticus Previously recorded as B. bifarius observations of B. impatiens in nearby southern Alberta – this species has been suggested as a Subterraneobombus Bombus appositus Curry 1984, not confirmed in SK likely source of pathogen spillover and may Bombus borealis increase competition between native bees 8 for resources and therefore has been Thoracobombus Bombus fervidus Includes B. californicus Notice: Due to COVID 19, as a coordinated effort across multiple countries to Saskatchewan’s Bumble Bees – implicated as a contributing factor in the that allows you to photograph and record decline of other bumble bee species species sightings to a growing database of uphold public health and safety recommendations, the International Piping Diversity and Conservation elsewhere in Canada. In addition, we species across the globe. iNaturalist can provide automatic identifications that are Plover Census set to take place in 2021 will be postponed until 2022. irste Pa mier a ory S S e ie reported on the first occurrence of a newly usually quite good for bumble bees, and iversity o Regi a Roya Sas atc e a useum characterized pathogen, Crithidia expoeki, most specimens are subsequently verified in Canadian bumble bees collected in by experts. Currently there are 784 Saskatchewan. Our research is continuing to observations of bumble bees from When should I count? focus on pathogen prevalence in Saskatchewan in iNaturalist, representing Embrace the Winter and You do not need to count birds every single Saskatchewan bumble bees and the only 59% of our species. Much of the Count Birds for Science province has no records of bumble bees, day. Choose two consecutive days in the week relationship of these pathogens to the especially in far northern areas. acey ee es o servatio ucatio a ager to count. If you are unable to count during a bumble bee’s gut microbiome, or the Contributing to citizen science through ature Sas atc e a particular week or count period, that’s okay. bacterial and fungal community members iNaturalist is very beneficial to increasing Project Feederwatch is a community science Your data are valuable even if you were only that reside in their digestive tracts. our knowledge of the province’s fauna. This is especially true for the many program from Birds Canada. It is a winter long able to count on a few occasions. Record the One of the best ways to species that occur only in certain parts of bird survey that turns your love of feeding birds maximum number of each species seen contribute to bumble bee the province. For instance, B. cryptarum into scientific discoveries. Your counts allow you simultaneously. Your final count is the largest is now confirmed in Saskatchewan, to track what is happening to birds around your number for each species over both days. conservation is through iNaturalist though we only have one record, from the home and contribute to a continental data set of (https://www.inaturalist.org), a phone app far north. bird distribution and abundance. FeederWatch data help scientists figure out where birds are as Photo credit: Matt Lavin Table 1. List of bumble bee species recorded from Saskatchewan. Those with an * are species at risk in well as where they are not! FeederWatch counts Canada (as per the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, COSEWIC). Species not are the best way for scientists to detect and Figure 1. Bombus suckleyi, the newest at risk included in Curry (1984) are indicated as new records or as records published in Williams et al. (2014). explain changes in a birds winter range and In partnership with bumble bee species in Saskatchewan. track irruption, or sudden increases in SaskPower’s Shand Photo: Cory Sheffield Subgenus Species Notes populations. Greenhouse and Blazing Star Bumble bees are among the most familiar, if Bombias Bombus nevadensis Wildflower Seed Company, not most charismatic of insects – their large size What do you do? Bombus Bombus cryptarum Newly confirmed we will be offering free Bee (especially queens), hairy bodies, and somewhat It is easy to participate in Feederwatch. All you and Butterfly Garden Seed characteristic colour patterning makes them a *Bombus occidentalis occidentalis need to do is set up your bird feeder, count the favourite of naturalists and the public alike. The birds from November to April, and submit your Mix packets as well as *Bombus terricola term “bumble bee” is broadly applied to bees of data to Birds Canada. Place your feeders in a Buffaloberry and Milkweed the genus Bombus, which are closely related to the Cullumanobombus Bombus griseocollis Newly confirmed quiet area where they are easy to see and Seedlings next summer. Ask non native honey bees, Apis mellifera. Globally, convenient to refill. Place feeders close to us how to get yours today! there are over 250 species, 48 of these occurring Bombus rufocinctus natural cover, such as trees or shrubs, which in North America. Thus, the term bumble bee, Psithyrus *Bombus bohemicus offer refuge to birds as they wait their turn to Chickadee at feeder. Photo: Ashley Vass when applied to Saskatchewan, could actually feed. Place feeders within 3 feet of the window. Photo credit: Sarah Vinge Mazer refer to as many as 27 species (Table 1). Bombus flavidus When feeders are close to a window, a bird I’ve counted birds – now what? Since the bumble bees of Saskatchewan were Bombus insularis leaving the feeder cannot gain enough If you are a member of Birds Canada you can reviewed in a museum publication by Philip Curry momentum to do harm if it strikes the window. *Bombus suckleyi submit your data on feederwatch.org. You can in 1984, the fauna has changed somewhat, with six What should I count? also submit your data on eBird, a free online new species recorded in the province: B. Pyrobombus Bombus bimaculatus Newly confirmed international database used by scientists for bimaculatus, B. cryptarum, B. griseocollis, B. Count all of the individuals of each species in bird conservation. flavifrons, B. sandersoni, B. lapponicus sylvicola, Bombus centralis view at any one time. Also, count birds attracted to the activity around your feeders, even if the and another species that is now commercially Bombus flavifrons Williams et al. (2014) Consider participating in feederwatch this managed and sold for greenhouse crop birds don’t come to your feeders. Do not count winter. Your observations become part of pollination, B. impatiens (Table 1). Though B. Bombus frigidus birds that are flying over or birds on non count something bigger than your backyard. For days. more information visit feederwatch.org. appositus was also recorded from Saskatchewan, Bombus huntii we have not yet been able to confirm this. Bombus impatiens Introduced, not yet established In the last few decades, concern over the provinces’ bumble bees has also increased, with Bombus melanopygus Rebecca Magnus, Habitat Stewardship Coordinator: four species considered species at risk in Canada Bombus mixtus Shrubs for Shrikes, Plovers on Shore, Stewards of (Table 1, and Figure 1). However, in Saskatchewan Saskatchewan banner program the declines have not been as pronounced as in Bombus perplexus other areas of Canada, though these species were After a couple years being in the management role, I am excited to be coordinating Bombus sandersoni Newly confirmed never as common in the province as they are Shrubs for Shrikes, Plovers on Shore, and the Stewards of Saskatchewan banner elsewhere. Bombus lapponicus sylvicola Williams et al. (2014) program again and getting out visiting with all of you, the landowner stewards. I have been with the Stewards of Saskatchewan programs since 2007 and have been lucky to Our ongoing research at the University of Bombus ternarius work with all the programs as a summer student, coordinator and manager. I am a Regina and Royal Saskatchewan Museum has prairie girl born and raised and completed my Integrated Resource Management Bombus vagans vagans provided some very interesting information on our Diploma at SIAST, now SaskPolytechnic, and my Bachelor of Science in Environmental bumble bees. For instance, we made the first Bombus vancouverensis nearcticus Previously recorded as B. bifarius Biology at University of Regina. I have been married to my wonderful husband for 10 observations of B. impatiens in nearby southern years and we have two amazing boys, 7 and 4 years old. I look forward to catching up Alberta – this species has been suggested as a Subterraneobombus Bombus appositus Curry 1984, not confirmed in SK with all the familiar faces and meeting new ones. I cannot wait to learn all about your likely source of pathogen spillover and may Bombus borealis conservation stories and practices. Please feel free to contact me anytime at 1 800 increase competition between native bees 667 4668, 306 780 9832 or [email protected]. Thank you for all your efforts 8 for resources and therefore has been Thoracobombus Bombus fervidus Includes B. californicus in habitat conservation; you are appreciated! 9 Emily Putz, Database Technician Have you considered Hello Everyone! I have always loved nature and though I grew up in joining a Local Nature the city, most of my spare time has always been spent outdoors. I am Society? so thankful to have grown up surrounded by the beauty of Saskatchewan’s prairies and the unique species that make it their Nature Saskatchewan has many local societies located throughout home! I first started working for Nature Saskatchewan as a Saskatchewan. Due to Covid 19 Summer Assistant while I was still a student in 2014 and instantly many of the local societies have knew that it was a place I would strive to come back to in the limited their field trips to future. I graduated from the University of Regina in 2015 with a members only. Don't miss out on degree in biology, with concentration in ecology and some awesome field trips and environmental biology. I have had the great opportunity to presentations with some great work with a number of different species throughout my people, look into joining a local career, mainly species at risk, and in late 2016 was lucky society today! enough to be hired as a Habitat Stewardship Coordinator for Rare Plant Rescue. Since my initial term as RPR Find local societies at coordinator, I’ve worked in a variety of positions with naturesask.ca Nature Sask including Database Tech, RPR assistant, OBO Coordinator, and I’m very happy to once again be continued on as the Database Tech. It’s been so wonderful to meet many of you and I hope to connect with more in the years to come!
landowners and families. We would have health assessments, and were grateful searched for and monitored rare plants. for the landowner permissions and for We would have held locally catered the warm weather so late in the season! Conservation Awareness and Appreciation suppers with like minded neighbours, Even through these adaptations, we chatting and sharing stories about each have much work to complete through the other’s operations, and interesting wildlife winter and into the spring. For instance, seen around the area…and the list goes please watch for information about our on… upcoming Conservation Awareness and Appreciation virtual events. While we Instead, we were challenged to come up are disappointed they can not be in with a different way to reach out to person this year, we will work hard to landowners and their families. With our ensure a great and informative event annual participant census about 40% while connecting with you all safely. completed, we are on track to complete and During these events, we will not only reach our goal of a 90% response. As we Emily Putz conducting species surveys. give you updates about the programs, Photo: Ashley Vass are following up on the census over the but we will feature presentations with phone and video chats, we have really our partners and about species at risk in appreciated the conversations and hearing Saskatchewan. Please note that if we do How We Are Adapting the how everyone is managing through this not have your email address, you are Stewards of Saskatchewan strange and difficult time. welcome to email us at Programming During the Through adaptations to field protocols, [email protected] and we will be COVID 19 Pandemic we were grateful to get out to conduct a sure to add your information, otherwise,
modified version of our grid road searches you can expect a mailed invitation with dates and details early in the new year. Re ecca ag us a itat Ste ar s ip oor i ator in July to find new occurrences of species ature Sas atc e a at risk. It was strange not being able to stop Thank you so much for what you do to and catch up with locals (as we normally contribute to habitat conservation and a Normally, Stewards of Saskatchewan would), but we were able to record many healthy environment. We are in good programming would have taken place in species at risk occurrences and we will be hands knowing that so many people care person around Saskatchewan this past spring following up with those landowners in the and have found ways to help nature. We and summer. We would have reached out and months to come. We were also able to get appreciate you, and we can’t wait to hear had face to face visits with over 100 out on a few pastures to conduct range all your stories about ways you have adapted and continued to conserve habitat for species at risk. Thank You to Our Stewards! Lastly, If you are on social media, we We dedicate the Stewards of Saskatchewan newsletter to you, our stewards. encourage you to follow and subscribe to Collectively, your individual actions to conserve habitat are of great importance, not Nature Saskatchewan on Facebook, only for species at risk and other native plants and animals, but for a healthy prairie. Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. This is Your appreciation and understanding of the natural world will ensure its beauty and a great way to keep up to date on all the wonderful work Nature Saskatchewan is function is preserved for future generations. Thank you for your continued dedication doing! and commitment—without your support, our programs would not be possible. 10 Nature Saskatchewan is proud to work alongside you!
Kaytlyn Burrows, Operation Burrowing Owl Coordinator New Grasslands Conservation Incentives Guide! For as long as I can remember, I have always had a connection with nature. When I was a kid, growing “Canada’s farmers and ranchers are guardians of the temperate grassland, the world’s most endangered up in Regina, I would spend every minute I could outside. I remember the struggle my parents had to ecosystem” Birds Canada endure trying to convince me to come in for supper! This connection has led me to who I am today and the focus of my career. I am a Habitat Stewardship Coordinator with Nature Saskatchewan, in particular, I Birds Canada has produced a Grasslands Conservation Incentives Guide for prairie landowners. This guide compiles the financial coordinate our longest running stewardship program, Operation Burrowing Owl. I have been in this incentives and other programs available to preserve, enhance, or restore Prairie habitats across the prairies, position since July of 2013 (with the exception of an education leave in 2018 2019). Prior to that, I spent a into a one stop source of information. year as the Office Coordinator, as well as a summer as a member of the Rare Plant Rescue search and Check it out at: https://www.birdscanada.org/bird science/grassland birds at risk/ monitoring crew. I graduated from Lakeland College in 2012 with an Environmental Science Diploma in Conservation and Restoration Ecology and I recently returned to school and am planning to graduate this spring with my B.Sc. in Environmental Biology from the University of Regina. I am incredibly fortunate to love what I do compare today’s Cypress Hills with the park’s and I hope I can continue to share my passion for nature, the prairies, and conservation! Forest Expansion in the landscape from the 1990s and 1970s to see how Cypress Hills much change in vegetation cover has occurred arissa Ro i ov iversity o Regi a and where the change has been most dramatic. She wants to locate areas in the park or features A Rare Winter Texas Visitor The Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, such as elevation, aspect, slope, and soil type in ary ay S oruppa S is i i e Service located in southwest Saskatchewan and the park – where trees are out competing a a Price ueces ou ty oasta Par s southeast Alberta, is a special place. Not only grassland species at high rates. is it a beautiful, diverse wilderness and spot Both grassland and forest support wildlife and In 2017, a project to benefit the western for recreation, but it is also an anomaly: a fulfill ecosystem services. Therefore, deciding how Burrowing Owl, a rare migratory bird visiting forest grassland landscape elevated amid the to manage forest expansion is challenging. There the Coastal Bend, was completed by Dylan prairies. A topic of management interest in are grassland specific species, like Sprague’s Pipit Kurtz, a local 16 year old Boy Scout. The Boy the park is the process of forest expansion (Anthus spragueii), which rely on the grasslands Scouts of America, Troop 949 partnered with into the adjacent grasslands. It is quite clear for their survival. With decreasing native U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Texas Coastal to those who know the park well that trees grassland habitat in North America, any decline in Ecological Services (Service) in Corpus Christi have been establishing in the grasslands over grassland should be taken seriously. Cypress Hills and Nueces County Coastal Parks (County) to the years, converting the land cover from also has thriving bat populations that rely on the complete the project. Dylan was especially grassland to forest. The actual rate at which Larissa Robinov taking field vertical structure of the park’s forest to roost and interested in a service project that benefitted this forest expansion process is happening measurements. Photo: Kyle Cuthbert birth pups in the summer. In addition, the park wildlife conservation near his home on Padre across the whole park is currently unknown, boasts Canada’s easternmost extent of lodgepole Island. A Burrowing Owl project had been although it is assumed to fall within the 0.1 Larissa Robinov, an M. Sc. student at pine. While forest expansion isn’t inherently good talked about between the County and the 2.3% cover change per year, which is the the University of Regina, has partnered or bad, there are impacts from this vegetation First Burrowing Owl sighting. Photo: Callan Price Service for more than a year but neither had range in North America for the rate of woody with both the Saskatchewan and Alberta change that trickle through these ecosystems. the manpower to bring the project to reality. plant expansion. portions of the Park to address some of Dylan heard about the idea and the uniqueness Bend during the winter months. The project owls and/or evidence of owl use within the the questions surrounding this land cover Factors such as precipitation and temperature, of the project appealed to him. location on Padre Island was chosen because it site. No sightings or visual evidence of a change. She is using historical, and which can tip the scale of competition towards is in a remote area on 4,680 acres of grassland Burrowing Owl was found (such as owl contemporary, aerial photography to one ecosystem or the other, are expected to Mammal burrows within native grasslands owned by Nueces County. The eight feathers, white wash or droppings, owl pellets, change in the coming years. are not plentiful in South Texas; as a result, burrows were strategically placed and etc.) during the first two years, however, Burrowing Owls often roost in less than safe stabilized by Dylan and his troop on October monitoring efforts continued optimistically Looking back in time to see how the Cypress Hills structures such as road culverts and sometimes 14th, 2017. with the passing winters. in highly altered habitats such as agricultural has evolved can tell us a lot about what we might see fields. Dylan’s service project involved the Since the project completion, the Service Fall migration and the approaching winter in the future. This knowledge better equips our construction of eight artificial burrows for the and the County have continued to monitor this months are always accompanied by the response to the coming changes we may see in the benefit of the western Burrowing Owl which site each winter when these migratory owls familiar onset of anticipation at the project ecosystems we love. depends upon burrows for survival. The move south to warmer latitudes from their site. This time last winter (2019) was no artificial burrows constructed in the project will Canadian summer burrows. Hopeful that a different, with one exception. A routine field provide roost sites, protection from weather, Burrowing Owl may benefit from the habitat survey in November resulted in the first Cypress Hills in the summertime. Photo: Larissa Robinov and protection from predators in the Coastal constructed by Dylan and the Boy Scout western Burrowing Owl sighting among the Troop, the site was periodically surveyed for artificial habitat installed by Troop 949! How rewarding it was to document the success of Dylan's service project. Now, as project monitoring efforts head into the 4th winter here on the Gulf Coast of Texas, we are thrilled to share with the Stewards of Saskatchewan the encouraging field season we had, and the wonderful accomplishment of The Boy Scouts of America in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Nueces County Coastal Parks. Hopefully, several more lucky Burrowing Owls will soon find Dylan’s custom made artificial burrows and, like our other Winter Texans, will spend this and many future winters in style while enjoying the abundant food and mild temperatures of the Coastal Bend. 11 6 Artificial Burrowing Owl habitat installed by Troop 949. Photo: Callan Price Trying to decide which forage species best suit your operation? Check out upick.beefresearch.ca, for an interactive forage species selection tool for Western Canada
square, the height should be eight inches, the bottom of the one and one/half inch entrance hole should be six inches above the floor. A roof overhang above the entrance will help to stop driving rain from entering the box. If Raccoons are in the area, fashion a small wire mesh tunnel guard over the entrance of the house that allows the birds to enter, but discourages raccoons from reaching into the nest. Male Mountain Bluebird. Photo: May Haga It is estimated that there were about 10 critical habitat for bluebirds and many billion birds in North America in the 1970s. Mountain Bluebirds other species that find a home in these Today that number has declined by three or e Scott islands of habitat. Since 1969 I have billion, or 30%. Unfortunately, the banded over 9,000 bluebirds including grassland bird decline is steeper, at 50%, Mountain Bluebirds are one of the more some 500 this year. Banding has shown with some species dropping by up to 90% of colourful harbingers of spring. Arriving in that the bluebirds winter in the central and former numbers. A number of factors March, they can be seen flitting along fence southern mid west United States. Adult contribute to the loss, but loss of natural lines when there is still snow on the ground. females sometimes return to the same nest habitat is the main reason for the decline of Bluebirds are cavity nesting birds meaning box or at least the same area to nest each all species. We can all help our native flora they need a hollow tree, or some other cavity year. Surprisingly, few young birds are and fauna by providing natural habitat, in which to nest. In 1965 I had my first found nesting in subsequent years. Like nesting sites, food, and shelter. Landowners bluebirds nesting in nest boxes on our farm at many small birds most young do not participating in Nature Saskatchewan's Indian Head. The number of bluebirds nesting survive their first year of life. I have stewardship programs are making a continued to increase until the 1980s. I had captured nesting females that were six valuable impact by voluntarily conserving some 25 to 30 pairs nesting each year on the years old. I believe the oldest banded over 450,000 acres and 139 miles of farm. The numbers gradually decreased over bluebird recorded made it to nine years. shoreline habitat for our native the next 25 years. In 2014, the last pair nested Saskatchewan species. Contact Nature on the farm. The Mountain Bluebird, the most If you do not have bluebirds in your Saskatchewan by calling 1 800 667 4668 or common bluebird species in Saskatchewan, area, you very likely can attract Tree visit their website www.naturesask.ca for can still be found in preferred habitat. River Swallows to nest in the same size of nest more information on how you can join their valleys, undeveloped grasslands, aspen box. Some basic measurements to keep in efforts in protecting habitat for our native parklands, and the Cypress hills region are the mind; the inside should be five inches wildlife. last strong holds for bluebirds in Saskatchewan. Publicly owned community Mountain Bluebird on a nest box occupied by a Tree Swallow. Photo: Kaytlyn Burrows pastures such as Strawberry Lakes Provincial Pasture south of Indian Head, as small as it is, still has bluebirds nesting. This year I had four pair of the uncommon Eastern Bluebirds nesting as well as Mountain Bluebirds in the pasture.
My daughter, who lives at Eastend, Saskatchewan, and I have set out bluebird nest boxes, as have other people in the area. The Frenchman River Valley and coulees provide ideal habitat for nesting bluebirds. During the 300 mile drive from Indian Head to Eastend along the Trans Canada Highway there is no suitable habitat for bluebirds. It is very important that we strive to reduce development in these last vestiges of 12 Bluebird nest box with Raccoon guard. Photo: Heidi Topham Ashley Vass, Rare Plant Rescue Coordinator I have always been passionate about the prairies and have been lucky enough to be able to Melissa Ranalli, Species at Risk Manager work with many of the wonderful species that call Saskatchewan home. I received both As Species at Risk Manager, my admiration for Saskatchewan's natural landscapes, my Bachelor’s and Master’s of Science degrees from the University of Regina and really unique species, and the people that steward them continue to motivate me. Soon after enjoyed my studies in Biology and the opportunity to work with our native wildlife, completing a BSc Honours degree in Biology at the University of Regina and a MSc on including many species at risk. Some of my experience includes working for the green roof plant ecology at Saint Mary's University in Halifax, I started working for University of Regina, the Royal Saskatchewan Museum, and Environment and Nature Saskatchewan in 2009. During my time with Nature Saskatchewan, government Climate Change Canada. I started with Nature Saskatchewan in January 2014, priorities have changed and program funding has come and gone, but our program and have covered a variety of positions within the Stewards of Saskatchewan stewards’ unwavering commitment to habitat conservation has allowed the SOS programs. I am currently the Habitat Stewardship Coordinator for the Rare programs to persist. I am very grateful for this commitment, and mindful of it whenever Plant Rescue program. You can reach me at [email protected], or call 306 I enjoy Saskatchewan's outdoors, particularly during the last seven months or so when 780 9417 or 1 800 667 4668 toll free. I look forward to continue working time outside has brought so much peace and calm to me and my family. I wish you and with a great team and all of the wonderful landowners in conservation of yours good health in the coming year, filled with as much time outside as possible! our native species and the land that we love.
with over 200 heritage resource sites of species, the development of a new natural archaeological and cultural significance area conservation plan for Saskatchewan’s Enhancing Prairie Habitat Ranchers in this area are tasked with providing But those engrained in the joys and within the area. The priority area also Southwest Sandhills is made possible – More than “Just Ranching” and maintaining habitat for these species, above turmoils of the local ranching industry contains medicinal plants important to thanks to generous donors and partners like rista o ic To S P c and beyond regular livelihood expectations. do not always realize their uniqueness Conserving Sandhills Indigenous communities. you! Protecting these species is in the hands of these and value that they provide. Therefore, producers, and adds an extra responsibility to to them, it’s “just ranching”. The South ature o serva cy o a a a Home of the Ord’s Kangaroo Rat For more information about NCC’s science #JustRanchin’ is a popular hashtag floating their daily planning. SODCAP Inc. has been of the Divide is a haven for species at Sas atc e a Regio (endangered), Dusky Dune Moth based conservation work in Saskatchewan, around social media circles, showcasing the working with these ranchers to help them risk because generations of ranchers (endangered), Gibson’s Big Sand Tiger visit conservegrasslands.ca. beauty and serenity of nature that ranchers Saskatchewan’s Southwest Sandhills are include habitat management into their lives, have chosen to ranch, and to protect that Beetle (threatened) and many other at risk work in on a daily basis. In reality, the based on science, ongoing research, and a strong grassland and maintain its native state. a delight for bird watching, nature business side of ranching focuses strongly on photography and fun in the sand. history of traditional knowledge available in the Now, because those species do call this grass management and herd health to keep the area. area home, regulations to maintain this Recently, the Nature Conservancy of business economically sustainable. But when Canada (NCC) was awarded funding habitat exist, and those same ranchers it comes to habitat for species at risk, even Not all ranches are created equal. face additional responsibility. through the Government of Canada’s more is required. Nature Fund to develop a new natural area Universities in Montana and Alberta are The goal of SODCAP Inc. is to support Loggerhead Shrike; Photo credit: Kim Mann conservation plan for the sandhills. The South of the Divide area refers to the starting to look at different ranching systems; and recognize these activities, to provide Located west of Swift Current and Milk River Watershed in southwestern the pollinator communities, ecological and protect habitat on a working extending to the Alberta border, and north Saskatchewan. This area is in the unique functioning, and carbon sequestration between landscape. Our programming options from the Cypress Hills to the South position of having critical habitat for more types of grazing regimes. Each operation is aim to recognize landscape values and Saskatchewan River. This area includes than a dozen species at risk mapped within its unique, with its own abilities to provide different potential liabilities. Kelly Williamson, the Great Sandhills and seven additional boundaries. With more than half of the outcomes. Ranching varies across the watershed rangeland agrologist with SODCAP Inc. sand hill complexes, and provides habitat watershed retained as native prairie, there is a and across the province, let alone across the comments that, “it’s this recognition that for 38 species at risk. It features a mosaic strong correlation between the remaining country! promotes and enhances heterogeneity of habitats, including sand dunes, native prairie and critical and important habitats for and biodiversity. Every rancher is grasslands, wetlands and associated species at risk. unique, every ranch is unique; not vegetation that support a diversity of addressing that does a disservice. We are species. South of the Divide. Photo: Kelly Williamson, SODCAP Inc. not saying any ranch system is subordinate, but rather want to make The area has a long history of supporting sure some are recognized for the public ranching. Grazing animals are an benefit they provide from their important part of the ecosystem and help management. We seek to empower them support a diversity of species to help to continue, and educate the public of maintain the health of the grasslands. The the valuable services being provided.” area is of historical, cultural and spiritual SODCAP Inc. offers a variety of significance to Indigenous communities, Southern SK Sandhills. Photo provided by Nature Conservancy of Canada programs, from results based agreements that provide financial incentives for providing specific habitat Canada Nature Fund, the Canadian Forage targets for individual species, to habitat On line Habitat and and Grassland Association (CFGA) is leading Biodiversity Management management agreements to enhance Did you know? a two year project that addresses the prairie in a multi species approach, to Tool Being Developed for agriculture priority sector identified under Saskatchewan Producers traditional cost share beneficial Saskatchewan is home to the Pan Canadian Approach to Transforming management practices. Species at Risk Conservation in Canada. both the country’s largest Tru y e y orsyt e a a ia orage a For more information on our rass a ssociatio The CFGA is working with national and programming, please visit our website at and second largest provincial stakeholder committees, www.sodcap.com or follow us on social With financial support from Environment governments, NGOs, and agricultural media at @SODCAPInc. active sand dunes. and Climate Change Canada as part of the associations to develop province specific, on 4 Bluebird nest box with Raccoon guard. Photo: Heidi Topham 13 Species Spotlight: The Prairie Rattlesnake Deadly White Nose Syndrome and (Crotalus viridis viridis) Saskatchewan’s Bats ra o ur a iversity o Sas atc e a This past Halloween came and went, and while the streets may not have been as lively as in previous years, families were still getting into the spirit by decorating their homes. A staple of Halloween décor are the winged silhouettes of bats, who have garnered themselves quite the fearsome reputation. Much of this reputation though is based on myth, and bats actually have quite a positive influence on our lives. Saskatchewan is home to eight species of bats, each of which are insectivores, meaning they eat solely insects. In a single night, a bat can eat up to 50% of their body weight in insects! It is estimated that in North America bats potentially provide Photo: Ashley Vass billions of dollars worth of value to the In Canada, Prairie Rattlesnakes are found in southeastern Alberta and southwestern agricultural sector in pest control. Saskatchewan near hibernacula, or overwintering burrows.
Bats help to protect our food and save One of nine snake species found in the province, the Prairie Rattlesnake is our only Pit farmers money, and it is now more then ever Viper. that they need our help. North America’s bats have been under attack recently, and in the Its colouring is variable from yellowish tan to grayish brown and has dark blotching eastern parts of Canada and the USA some along the length of its body. areas have lost more than 90% of their cave It can grow to become fairly large, adults grow to ~1.2 meters long. In Saskatchewan, dwelling bats. The culprit is a type of fungus only the Bullsnake is larger, occasionally exceeding 2 meters. which causes a deadly disease called White Nose Syndrome (WNS). First detected in New It can be most easily differentiated from our other snake species by its segmented rattle at the end of its tail, and its triangular head with two heat sensing pits below its York in 2006, the fungus grows on eyes and vertical pupils. hibernating bats and damages their skin. This causes them to wake up and expend their This species is not aggressive but will bite if it feels seriously threatened. It has two precious energy (fat) stores that they need to retractable fangs in its upper jaw and can inflict a painful and potentially deadly survive over winter until they can forage for venomous bite. However, most bites are reportedly “dry bites,” where venom is not insects again in the spring. Dramatic injected, and serious injury can be significantly reduced with prompt medical population declines have led to two of our attention. eight Saskatchewan bat species, the Northern Due to widespread fear of snakes in general, along with the risk of a venomous bite, Long Eared and Little Brown Bat, being listed Prairie Rattlesnakes have been the subject of widespread human persecution. As a as endangered species in Canada. result, along with significant habitat loss, the Prairie Rattlesnake population has seen significant declines in recent years. In 2018/2019 WNS was detected in both Manitoba and Montana and, as it is estimated to take 1 2 years for it to travel into a neighbouring province, it is highly likely that it has reached Saskatchewan or will do so in the Little Brown Bat; nose with fungus, New York, Oct. 2008. Photo: very near future. To be able to properly prepare and manage for Ryan von Linden/New York Department of Environmental Conservation WNS, it is important to know where bats over winter as it is (https://www.flickr.com/photos/50838842@N06/5765048293) during this time that they are most susceptible to the fungus and are most likely to spread it to one another. However, to this day, there are no confirmed over wintering sites for bats that have been located in Saskatchewan. Commonly called “hibernacula”, these over wintering sites are typically found in caves or deep crevices that allow for the bats to escape the freezing winter conditions outside. Dr. Jeffrey Lane’s lab at the University of Saskatchewan (www.lanelab.ca) has recently started a project looking for bat hibernacula as well as bat maternity roosts (where mother bats raise their young in the spring). Brandon Burda is the current project lead ([email protected]) and would love to hear from anyone that may have questions or may know of any caves or buildings which may house bats. You might be able to help discover Saskatchewan’s first recorded bat hibernacula! If we are able to locate these important bat habitats, we may be able to better prepare and manage for the spread of WNS and conserve 14 our province’s important bats. Stewards of Saskatchewan Volume 15
Know your Invasive Weeds along the Chinook pathway in Swift in the Swift Current Creek Current. Ten participants were able to
Subscribe to Nature Watershed Public enjoy the outdoors, get some exercise, Saskatchewan’s monthly ...Ten Years of Conservation, Nature Saskatchewan Education Event and see live examples of invasive and e newsletter! native plants along the riparian area of continued from page 1 Staff Update a as Peters gri viro me ta Tec icia a Stay up to date with events, evi Stei ey ecutive irector S i t urre t the creek while social distancing and ree aters e Ste ar s conservation news, and more serves as a reminder that our world is Rebecca Magnus , Habitat Stewardship practising COVID 19 safety. Coordinator, Nature Saskatchewan Please go to www.naturesask.ca/who we interconnected and that we are a part of The Swift Current Creek Watershed After a short presentation from Dallas are/contact us to subscribe. nature. In order to save Monarchs, birds We are happy to announce that Lacey Stewards (SCCWS) is a non profit Peters, the AgriEnvironmental and wildlife, we must conserve the Weekes has returned to her Conservation organization that presents awareness and Technician for the SCCWS about plant habitats on which they rely. Please visit and Education Manager role, and that education about the Swift Current Creek identification and how invasive weeds are the Nature Saskatchewan website Ashley Vass has returned to her Rare Plant What’s Inside Watershed to all water users in the problematic, the walk started. Field (www.naturesask.ca) to get your limited Rescue Coordinator role. Please join us in watershed including rural, urban and Bindweed, Canada Thistle, Crested Wheat edition shirt. All proceeds from the sales welcoming them back from their maternity this Issue: industry users. The SCCWS also Grass, Smooth Brome, Common Burdock, will support the Stewards of leaves. We would like to thank Shirely Bartz demonstrates that everyone should take Dame’s Rocket, and Scentless Chamomile Ten Years of Conservation …………….………... Saskatchewan programs. Also, follow us and Emily Putz for their hard work and 1 responsibility to care for the watershed were the invasive species identified during on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for dedication to the Stewards of Saskatchewan the 1.42 kilometer walk. Using IMAP Staff Update………….. .…….…………………….… and its valuable resources, to address the 2 a chance to win a free shirt and stickers! programs. Shirley kept the programs going issues that affect water quality and Invasives to map the locations of invasive PCAP’s Multi SAR Tool…………………………... while I was in Lacey’s role, and Emily has species was discussed. Many native plants 3 The contributions of our local artists are watershed health. been keeping Rare Plant Rescue going while Swift Current Creek Watershed Stewards such as Pasture and Prairie Sage, Blue just one example of how people are (SCCWS) leading the Invasive Weed Walk and Longspur ID tips …………………………...…….…3 Ashley was away. We would like to give a One such issue is invasive weeds such Gramma Grass, Gaillardia, Wild Mint, participating in the SOS program, even if pointing out the importance of the Riparian area special thank you to Emily for continuing to as Baby’s Breath, Canada Thistle, Rabbit Brush, Red Osier Dogwood, and Conserving Sandhills .…….……………………… they don’t own habitat. We all have ways and invasive plants that are affecting it. 4 fill roles over the past few years and into the Common Burdock, Common Tansy, Dotted Blazing Star were also identified. in which we can contribute. Whether it be Photo: SCCWS On line Management Tool for Producers ….4 future. I am now, once again, back to my Crested Wheat Grass, Dame’s Rocket, This walk also allowed the SCCWS to directly conserving the land you own, or permanent role as the Habitat Stewardship Field Bindweed, Leafy Spurge, Ox Eye Native plants possess the essential root highlight projects it has completed along A Rare Winter Texas Visitor…………………….. joining community science projects to Coordinator for the Shrubs for Shrikes, Daisy, Purple Loosestrife, Scentless 6 systems and ecosystems for these functions to the creek to improve riparian health. A steward the landscapes and monitor for Plovers on Shore, and Stewards of Chamomile, and Smooth Brome. These be optimal and abundant invasive weeds presentation about how everyone can take Consumer Conservation .………….………….….7 species at risk, there is something for Saskatchewan banner programs. I species are not native to our area and degrade the area and create issues such as part in conserving and learning about our everyone. For more information on how encourage you to reach out to any of us at Sask’s Bumble Bees ………..……………..………. cause damage to the natural ecosystem by watershed provided a fun ending to the 8 you can participate or contribute, please erosion, bank instability, and habitat loss. any time. We look forward to continuing our aggressively overtaking native plants, day. Count Birds for Science …………………………..9 email [email protected]. important work together with your support. altering the habitat for Species at Risk The SCCWS has hosted workshops about such as the Northern Leopard Frog and identification of invasive weeds, mapping, and SCCWS thanks everyone who came out
SOS During Covid 19 …………….………….…10 Loggerhead Shrike. The invasive plants management of infestations on agricultural that day to learn more about the plants change the riparian areas that act as the land. However, we have not reached out to the along the creek and how to tell the good Cypress Hills Forest Expansion………………11 River valley habitat near Burstall Saskatchewan; just one of the many beautiful ones from the bad. Given this successful urban community about the invasive weeds landscapes that SOS staff has had the pleasure of surveying. Photo: Beth Dolmage “lungs” for our watershed. When properly Mountain Bluebirds……………………………..12 functioning these areas maintain water common to our watershed. To reach urban event, the SCCWS will continue this quality, provide flood and flow control, residents the SCCWS hosted a “Know your programming to keep connecting with More than “Just Ranching” …..……………...13 enhance water storage, and filter run off. Invasive Weeds” walk on August 10, 2020 residents in the urban areas. Sask Bats and Deadly WNS …………………..14 Species Spotlight …... …………………………..14 Lac Pelletier is just one of the beautiful lakes in the Swift Current Creek Watershed. Photo: Ashley Vass Know Invasive Weeds SCCWS Event …….15
Raise a Glass to Stewards of Sask!
$1 from every litre of Saskatchewan made Prairie Sentinel Cider sold goes to Stewards of Sask species at risk programing! 2 15
Operation Burrowing Owl, Rare Plant Rescue, Shrubs for Shrikes, Plovers on Shore, and Stewards of The Stewards of Saskatchewan program work Saskatchewan banner program, are programs of: would not be possible without the generous support of our funders:
Nature Saskatchewan is a non- governmental, charitable, organization of naturalists. Our vision is “Humanity in Harmony with Nature.”
206-1860 Lorne Street Regina, SK S4P 2L7 Phone: 1-800-667– HOOT (4668) or (306) 780-9273 Fax: (306) 780-9263 Email: [email protected] Web: www.naturesask.ca
For specific program information please call our toll free number 1-800-667-4668 or contact the Nature Saskatchewan gratefully acknowledges funding from: following:
Operation Burrowing Owl & We thank the following for their help in program delivery: Habitat Enhancement Canadian Wildlife Service—Environment and Kaytlyn Burrows Habitat Stewardship Coordinator Climate Change Canada Royal Saskatchewan Museum Phone: (306) 780-9833 Moose Jaw River Watershed Stewards Inc. Email: [email protected] Saskatchewan Burrowing Owl National Burrowing Owl Recovery Team Interpretive Centre Rare Plant Rescue Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan Saskatchewan Conservation Data Ashley Vass Centre Habitat Stewardship Coordinator Nature Conservancy of Canada Phone: (306) 780-9417 Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Old Wives Watershed Association Email: [email protected] Action Plan Piping Plover Recovery Team SaskPower Shand Greenhouse Shrubs for Shrikes, Plovers on Prairie Loggerhead Shrike Recovery Team Shore, & Stewards of Saskatchewan Sprague’s Pipit Recovery Team banner program Recovery Team for Plant Species at Risk in the Rebecca Magnus Prairie Provinces Habitat Stewardship Coordinator Phone: (306) 780-9832 Email: [email protected] A special thank you goes out to our participating
Conservation Easements & landowners and volunteers! General Stewards of Saskatchewan Information Melissa Ranalli Check us out on social media to stay up to date with our current news! Species at Risk Manager Phone: (306) 780-9270 Email: [email protected]
The views expressed herein are solely those of Nature Saskatchewan or the respective author(s) of the articles. Printed on 50% recycled Forest Stewardship Council paper