KILLDEER BADLANDS A Prairie Natural Area by MARILEE D. CRANNA*

The Killdeer Badlands are located in Study Area , 8 miles west of the West Poplar border crossing and 18 miles The area chosen for study, Townshi southwest of the historic Wood Moun¬ 1, Range 5, West of the Third Meridiat tain Northwest Mounted Police Post (49°0' — 49° 15' N. Lat.; 106°33' - (Fig. 1). They form a unique focal point 106°40' W. Long.) consists of 36 squao for an extensive area of relatively un¬ miles of leased provincial crown lam modified short-grass prairie and are (Fig. 2). It includes part of the Con recommended by the Conservation tinental Divide, which separates th< Terrestrial Section of the International waters flowing north to Hudson’s Ba; Biological Programme (IBP-CT) for and south to the Gulf of Mexico. Loca preservation as a Natural Area. The drainage is by southward-flowin; badlands region was once considered Morgan and Rock Creeks. Access to th* for inclusion within the boundaries area is difficult particularly following proposed for a much larger grassland wet weather, for the terrain is rugget national park between Val Marie and and it is dissected by numerous salirn Killdeer, Saskatchewan. creek beds. No well-travelled roads leat As far as is known, no intensive into the area and it is crossed by only biological work has been conducted few pasture trails (Fig. 3). specifically within the badlands. Studies of a reconnaissance nature have been The Wood Mountain climate typifie: made of the proposed national that of the prairies, being characterizet park.2 3 6 8 9 12 The soils have been by the extremes of long, cold winter described and an extensive study of the and short, hot summers. Cool nights an Wood Mountain geology has been com¬ the rule regardless of daytime maximun pleted.1 7 13 5 Paleontological infor¬ temperatures. The generally dry at mation has been recorded by L. S. mosphere and rapid evaporation mak< Russell.10 11 M. Syroteuk, University of the summer’s heat quite tolerable. In th< Saskatchewan Geography Department, normal year the growing season i has conducted graduate research studies estimated to average 170 days and th< in the Wood Mountain area. mean annual total hours of sunshine ex Numerous features of natural and ceeds 2,200, the highest in Canada. historical interest are contained within this sizeable short-grass prairie and, in The average annual precipitation i June, 1970 an IBP-CT inventory and about 13 inches with snowfall pai description of the landscape, vegetation ticularly light. The values vary annuall and human impact was completed. Of with frequent periods of drough the 24 short-grass prairie areas inven¬ Sometimes the prevailing westerly wine toried to 1972, the proposed Wood take the form of warming Chinooks, bi Mountain-Killdeer Badlands Natural rarely do they last long enough t Area has the highest priority. It amply remove the snow cover completely fulfills the requirements for educational Specific temperature and precipitatio and research potentialities. records have been recorded at We: Poplar since October, 1956. Situated completely within the sem * Department of Plant Ecology, University of Saskatchewan, arid Brown Soil Zone, the area , Saskatchewan. dominated by brown chernozemic soi

68 BLUE JA U. S. A

ig. 1. The location of the proposed Wood Mountain-Killdeer Badlands Natural Area in southern Saskatchewan.

n well-drained, non-eroded sites. Ex- and springs. Different soil types and the ;nsive regosolic soils, exhibiting poor changing moisture regimes due to rofile development characterize the irregular topography are reflected in the roded and outwash sites. Alluvial soils, vegetational patterns. Other factors such "ft by flowing water, occupy the valley as prairie fires, grazing and trampling lats adjacent to the stream banks. Often significantly influence the nature of the lese floodplain soils are saline reflec- vegetative cover. ng their association with the dark grey larine shales beneath the glacial Physiography and Geology eposits. The proposed natural area includes a Vegetation, nowhere dense, is typical variety of interesting topographic and f the short-grass prairie and reflects its geologic features and represents well the ridity. Many plants are early bloomers Wood Mountain Upland physiographic a take advantage of the more region. Particularly impressive are the avourable moisture conditions and extensive flat to undulating tablelands ooler temperatures of spring. A diver¬ which reach a maximum altitude of ity of habitat types are commonly 3,150 feet. Dissecting these are creek ^presented, the vegetational associa- valleys and coulees of variable width, ons ranging from poor quality salt- depth and steepness. The minimum npregnated grasslands, and dry, eroded altitude is 2,625 feet. ravelly outwash areas to good quality The surface features of the coun¬ razing lands and moist, sheltered tryside result from glaciation and sub¬ woodlands. Local marsh areas occur in sequent wet and dry erosional processes. ssociation with the few streams, ponds Locally eroded deposits of bouldery une, 1973 69 Fig. 2. Aerial view of the study area showing the general physiography. Morgan and Roc Creeks dissect the landscape. The bounded area is TWP 1 Range 5 West of 3rd Meridia (Air photo A21760, Dept, of Energy, Mines and Resources, Ottawa.) glacial till form a thin veneer over the glacial and postglacial wind and wat< uplands, the mantle being so shallow erosion has removed some surfac that from aerial views, much of the deposits and has carved the underlyir preglacial topography is evident. An sedimentary strata into unusual form abundance of well-rounded quartzite Strikingly-sculptured badland gravels mixed with Precambrian rock featuring extensive bedrock exposun fragments characterize the glacial are located where the Morgan Cree deposits. Glacial erratics of smooth, of¬ Valley widens in Sections 11, 12, 1 ten striated rocks and boulders dot the 14, 23 and 24 of Township 1, Range landscape. Where the last glacier (Fig. 4). These are best viewed fro stagnated, local areas of hummocky or atop the plateau in Sections 12 and T knob and kettle terrain are represented. Adjacent to the badlands, on the nortl Since the glacier disappeared from the facing slope of the valley in Section ll region about 20,000 years ago, late is an unusual feature, a “sinking hi 1

70 BLUE JA 'ig. 5). Other topographic forms found thin the valley systems are slump atures, stream meanders, floodplains d alluvial fans. Evolution of landforms often relates the preglacial bedrock formations, le Bearpaw and Formations, d locally the Whitemud and French- in Formations of Cretaceous age, and e Tertiary-aged Ravenscrag and Wood ountain Formations are exposed in e proposed natural area, and exten- /ely so in the badlands. The Raven- rag Formation is the capping stratum, sting directly upon the Eastend For- ation or upon the Whitemud and Fig. 4. The Killdeer Badlands, 8 miles west of enchman Formations, where these Killdeer, showing the influence of erosion on the different strata. The degree of ive not eroded away. At elevations vegetation cover varies with slope aspect ove 3,150 feet the youngest Wood and steepness, soil type and moisture con¬ ountain quartzite sands, gravels and ditions. ■bbles cap the highlands. The sinking hill consists of a 200-foot section from the center of a low hill that has broken away sharply from the rest of the hill and has allegedly settled nearly a foot a year since the early 1930’s (Fig. 5). The Eastend sandstone and siltstone strata form the upper part of the sinking segment. Large concretions are embed¬ ded in the fine yellowish sandstone and siltstone walls. It is suggested that lateral stream erosion below the Bear- paw-Eastend contact may be the cause of the sinking process. Apparently Morgan Creek undercuts the stream g. 3. A view from the typical grassed bank west of the sinking hill, causing uplands south of the badlands, looking erosion of the Bearpaw shales. With north toward the teepee buttes. Only a few progressive erosion, the block of ground pasture trails provide access to the area. adjacent to the creek shifts northwest Origin of the conical ‘teepee buttes’ of 2 badlands began with the running of rface water into vertical cracks in the nmarine Ravenscrag Formation and 2 wearing of these into ever-widening sures and gullies. Eventually the alter- te weak and more resistant bedrock ata stand out in relief displaying in¬ resting layer-cake erosional forms ig. 3). Formation bedding is further iphasized by variations in strata loration. This is well illustrated thin the Ravenscrag Formation where ;nite coals and carbonaceous shale Fig. 5. A view of the sinking hill, looking ds ignite due to lightning. Oxidation northeast toward Morgan Creek, shows the iron compounds through burning one of the near-vertical sandstone and silt¬ uses the change to salmon-orange and stone walls and the down-dropped block. ick-red hues. Rattlesnakes frequent the site.

ne, 1973 71 South North ABC I-1)-1 I-

Associated Plant Community Profile Corresponding Soil Type (Community Reference Number, Letter Landform see Table 1)

A Thinly-glaciated Plateau Dissected Plateau Complex 1-6 A, Well-drained upland Chernozem 1, 4, 5, 6 a2 Upland depression Chernozem 2, 3

A3 Ravine Regosol-eroded 15, 19,20,24 a4 Dissected escarpment Regosol-eroded 11, 15-19, 21-24 B Badlands Regosol-eroded 12-14,21,23 C Valley Complex Regosol-eroded, alluvium 5-11, 15 c, Alluvial flat Alluvium - saline 7, 10, 11 — burned 5, 6 - gleyed (wet) 8,9

c2 Creek bank Alluvium 15, 20

Fig. 6. A diagrammatic representation of the relationship between landscape, soils and vegetation in the study area.

laterally, removing the support for the salinity (Figs. 3 and 7), grasslands of tl overlying Eastend strata. Settling of alluvial flats — saline or wet (Figs, these upper beds into the resulting and 9), barren, eroded and gravelly ou chasm creates the sinking effect. An wash areas (Fig. 4) and woodlands < alternate explanation of the sinking moist protected draws, depression process is that of the dissolution of un¬ ravines and creek banks (Fig. 10). derlying salt deposits to form a cavern detailed portrayal of the relationsh into which the overlying beds settle.8 between vegetation communities an Associated with the bedrock for¬ landscape is presented in Fig. 6 ar mations are many features of paleon¬ Table 1. tological interest. Fossilized bone fragments of fish, turtles, rodents, Various grasses representatives of tf primitive deer-like forms, camels and Short-Grass Prairie Region dominai three-toed horses have been found in the the plant community spectrun Wood Mountain gravels. One specific Associated with the better grazing are; location, west of Morgan Creek in the are spear grass (Stipa comat a), bit southeast quarter of Section 2 of Town¬ grama grass (Bouteloua gracilis), Jur ship 2, Range 5, West of the Third grass (Koeleria cristata) and sedg* Meridian has been reported. In the {Carex filifolia, Carex eleocharis Frenchman Formation of the badlands, Found in less abundance are whe; bones of the three-horned dinosaur grasses (Agropyron spp.) and bluegrass* (Triceratops), and fragments of turtles (Poa spp.). Drier sites of graved and crocodiles have been discovered. uplands and southern exposures, an The underlying Eastend Formation con¬ heavily grazed areas are characterize tains plesiosaurian bone fragments. by an increased abundance of pastui sage (Artemisia fridida), moss phlo Landscape — Vegetation Relation¬ {Phlox hoodii), little cIub-mo< ships {Selaginella densa), prickly pear cacti The plant communities dominating {Opuntia polyacantha) and pincushio this landscape fall readily into four cactus {Mammillaria vivipara). Patch* habitat groups: grasslands of neglible of snowberry {Symphoricarpos occider

72 BLUE JA le 1. The dominant plant communities and corresponding community reference numbers (see Fig. 6) for the Wood Mountain-Killdeer Badlands Natural Area. ununity Community srence Reference nber Plant Community Number Plant Community 1 Stipa comata, Bouteloua gracilis - Koeleria 14 Sarcobatus vermiculatus - Chrysothamnus criststa, Carex sp. nauseosus - Artemisia spp.

2 Poa sp. Agropyron sp. - K. cristata 15 Symphoricarpos occidentalis - Rosa sp., Elaeagnus commutata, (Salix sp., Potentilla 3 Poa sp. - K. cristata - Carex sp. fruticosa, Shepherdia canadensis, Ribes oxyacanthoides) B. gracilis - Plantago purshii 4 16 Populus tremuloides - Shepherdia argentea - Amelanchier alnifolia/Rosa sp. 5 Agropyron smithii - Polygonum aviculare - Carex sp. 17 Fraxinus pennsylvanica var. lanceolata/A. alnifolia Artemisia frigida, Phlox hoodii - Selaginella densa - Prunus virginiana var. melanocarpa - Cornus 6 stolonifera Distichlis stricta - Puccinellia nuttalliana 7 18 S. argentea - F. pennsylvanica var. lanceolata/ Juniperus communis 8 Eleocharis spp. — Carex - spp. - Juncus balticus 19 9 Scirpus americanus - Carex praegracilis P. virginiana var. melanocarpa - A. alnifolia, Rosa — Juncus balticus sp. - R. oxyacanthoides, S. occidentalis 20 Salix spp., Shepherdia argentea 10 Hordeum jubatum 21 11 Atriplex nuttallii Juniperus horizontalis, J. communis - E. commutata, S. canadensis, P. fruticosa, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi 12 Astragalus triphyllus - Hymenoxys richardsonii - (Haplopappus sp., Carex filifolia, 22 Crataegus sp. Gutierrezia diversifolia, 23 Artemisia spp. R. oxyacanthoides, S. occidentalis, Rhus trilobata, Rosa sp. 13 Eriogonum multic.eps - (G. diversifolia, Eriogonum flavum, Lesquerella alpina, Haplopappus sp.) 24 Prunus pennsylvanica - P. virginiana var. melanocarpa, Crataegus sp., A. alnifolia

5) and rose (Rosa sp.) occupy the multiceps), broomweed (Gutierrezia ssland depressions (Fig. 7). diversifolia), spatulate bladderpod (Lesquerella alpina var. spathulata) and Characterizing the alluvial Hats are spiny ironplant (Happlopapus sp.) are rsely-growing salt-tolerant grasses commonly represented. Greasewood 1 herbs. Most notable are alkali grass (Sarcobatus vermiculatus), rabbit-brush (Chrysothamnus nauseosus), skunk-bush stichlis stricta) and salt-meadow (Rhus trilobata) ss (Puccinellia nuttalliana), but also and various sage species (Artemisia spp.) are widespread. resented are foxtail barley (Hordeum atum) and salt sage (Atriplex nut- A number of woody perennials are ii). Sedges (Carex spp.), bulrushes confined to the moist and sheltered irpus spp.), spike rushes (Eleocharis coulees, draws and depressions (Fig. '.) and wire rush (Juncus balticus) are aciated with the freshwater creeks, 10). Tree species include trembling ids and springs (Fig. 9). Wolf-willow aspen (Populus tremuloides) and green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica var. lan¬ aeagnus commutata), buffalo-berry ceolata). The shrub-tree association is epherclia argentea), willows (Salix further characterized by buffalo-berry ).), snowberry and rose are oc- ionally found in alluvial locales. (Shepherdia spp.), saskatoon (Amelan¬ chier alnifolia), chokecherry (Prunus virginiana var. melanocarpa), Vegetation cover in the badlands and gooseberry (Ribes oxyacanthoides), ler eroded and outwash areas is quite dogwood (Cornus stolonifera), shrubby nt, many of the steeper slopes being cinquefoil (Potentilla fruticosa), re (Fig. 4). Creeping juniper hawthorn (Crataegus sp.), wolf-willow, niperus horizontalis), ground juniper snowberry and rose. niperus communis) and bear berry rctostapliylos uva-ursi) form mats ix some of the clay slopes. Cushion Fauna Ik vetch (Astragalus triphyllus), lorado rubber plant (Hymenoxis Barring species which are known to be hardsonii), umbrella plant already extinct in Canada, the Wood riogonum flavum and Eriogonum Mountain physiographic region con-

le, 1973 73 southern Saskatchewan. Pronghorn a telope surveys show their populatio densities to be slightly lower than oth nearby areas and of minor importan compared to the Maple Creek-Crail Lake area. According to the DNR “Ai| telope population trend survey” ft" 1972, the provincial antelo ; population shows a downward treri and a density well below the long-ter average. Protection of a nuclei population would prevent this speci from becoming locally endangered an Fig. 7. The greatest development of the serve as a source of supply for surroui dominant grassland habitat occurs on the ding areas. Other mammals represente| undulating uplands. Moist draws and are the white-tailed jack rabbit, Nu depressions are characterized by talls’s cottontail, Richardson’s groun snowberry, rose and scattered sagebrush. squirrel, coyote, red fox, skunk, po tains a complete sample of prairie cupine, bobcat and badger. fauna. Many species are or could be Several rare or endangered avid regular residents of the proposed species are regular breeders within tl Killdeer Badlands Natural Area. proposed park area. The Prairie Falcoi Located along the Frenchman Valley Golden Eagle and Ferruginous Haw riverflats to the west are the only black¬ threatened by widespread pesticide us: tailed prairie dog colonies in Canada. habitat destruction and other pe When not persecuted, this species has secution, nest in or near the KilldeJ the ability to colonize new areas. To Badlands as do the Turkey Vultur eliminate prairie dogs would be to Burrowing Owl, and Long-bille eliminate numerous species which Curlew. The Sage Grouse, largest t depend directly or indirectly upon them North American grouse and well-know for their existence. These include the for its strutting and booming displa; burrowing owl, ferruginous hawk, during spring courtship is a permanei golden eagle and rattlesnake still found resident. Due to the destruction of i in the area, the kit fox, now considered natural prairie habitat, few substantf rare or absent, and the black-footed populations remain. ferret, extinct in Canada, but still found A number of species, unique to tl in the . semi-arid grassland environment ap Re-establishment of near-extinct or vanishing populations is considered feasible. Reintroduction of the kit fox and ferret depends entirely upon a healthy prairie dog population. In view of the historical association of the area with bison herds, their reintroduction and management has been recommended as a desireable undertaking.” The plains wolf and plains grizzly, once predators of the bison are now extinct. A few mammalian species of interest to sportsmen are native to the proposed natural area. Mule deer are common, Fig. 8. A view from the sinking hill, northe; but recent figures released by the De¬ across the Morgan Creek Valley shows t partment of Natural Resources (DNR) posed valley slopes and a meanderi indicate this area to have one of the creek. Moist meadows, saline patches a wooded creek banks are associated with t lowest densities of any survey zone in alluvial flats.

74 BLUE ach the northern edge of their range hin this area.4 Chief among these are Poor-will, Sage Thrasher, Brewer’s irrow and Rock Wren. The discovery Violet-green Swallows nesting in the tes along the in 35 makes this area the only known ation in Canada east of the Rockies 2re the species breeds. The discovery Mountain Plovers immediately west the proposed park raises the Fig. 10. Moist wooded north-facing slopes isibility that they may yet be found and sheltered draws are dominated by eding within the area. green ash with a varying understory of Tie area’s fauna is further diversified chokecherry, saskatoon, wolf-willow, buf¬ five snake species: the plains garter, falo-berry and dogwood. Fringing the grasslands are wolf-willow, snowberry and stern hognose, bull snake, yellow- rose. lied racer and rattlesnake. Also oc- ring in the vicinity are snapping tur- Features of geological, paleontological, ;. The horned toad is known to be biological, archeological and historical ind within the proposed national significance contribute to its suitability k boundaries, but is generally restric- for interpretation of natural history in a to the southwestern Saskatchewan prairie setting. Since it is also of suf¬ 1 Alberta vicinity, adjacent to the In¬ ficient size to sustain a good sample of national Bounday. the prairie environment, the area has high education and research potential. To fulfill its potential for present and nservation Problems And future generations, it must be properly inagement Suggestions protected and managed. he proposed Killdeer Badlands In the past, much attention has been tural Area contains a representative given to arguments supporting the need lple of the diverse short-grass prairie for a clearly defined protected area /sical conditions and a near complete system into which the preservation of a ge of the native prairie life forms still natural area network could be sting in Canada. An area of great rationalized. Such natural areas will ural beauty, its openness and ex- have to be justified in relation to broad lent vantage points allow one to wit- land-use planning, considering such s a scene similar to that experienced needs as space for living, recreation, en¬ the first explorers and settlers. vironmental conservation and economic development. Now it appears that this concept has finally caught on and that increasing pressures are being applied to the authorities for better natural resource protection. Since 1969, the IBP-CT has encouraged the provincial government to provide leadership in its planning by establishing some model Natural Areas, representing different types of terrain. The object is to protect, first, on a trial basis and, later, if suc¬ cessful, on a permanent basis, native areas representing dominant ecosystems and unique habitats for the purposes of . 9. Local saline areas and small marshes aesthetics, science, research and haracterize the temporary ponds, creeks nd springs. Blooming rose bushes and education. The Killdeer Badlands area noisture-loving grasses, sedges and rushes was rated highly in the original IBP-CT urround this upland pond. recommendations. le, 1973 75 Management of natural areas poses Natural Area, an interpretive progr; another problem, one of extreme impor¬ unique in Canada could be formulate tance. Since the areas will vary in size, Policies must also be adopted reg; composition and vulnerability, each ding fire, disease and insect infestati should have a general management plan. control, species introductions, obs< Management criteria are needed to vational or manipulative experimen protect the features of particular value. and educational use, hunting or otf Prior to the formulation of the plans, control of wildlife populatior each area proposed for protection agricultural practices of reseedir should be identified as to its purpose spraying, mowing, grazing, clearing a and objectives and these should be drainage changes, mineral and oil c reflected in the final boundary ploration and extraction and tra\ proposals. If an area is large enough, mode and limitations. zoning is an acceptable management procedure to rationalize conflicting Summary needs. Ideally a portion of the landscape On the basis of field studies conduct should be left upon which to observe by IBP-CT, the Killdeer Badlands ha1 successional trends in the absence of been given a high priority in recomme manipulative management. dations to the Government of Sask; chewan for model Natural Ar Management plans for the Killdeer establishment. This paper provides Badlands area will be influenced largely preliminary description of the ecolo by the fragility of and the extent of of the area with specific references to e visibility within this open environment. ceptional features of interest. Using it Construction activities often cause ex¬ an example, some of the problems whi tensive soil erosion, a significant factor could arise in protecting Natural Are particularly in the semi-arid grasslands are identified and possible managemt where high winds and slow vegetation practices for the future suggested. / growth are typical. For this reason, opportunity to experience natur decisions relating to the number of history in the prairie setting exists n( physical improvements to be allowed in southwestern Saskatchewan. If futu within or near the area are important. generations are to receive simil This pertains primarily to roads, trails, benefits, it is our responsibility turn-offs, look-outs, parking lots, camp¬ provide proper protection ai sites and fences. An attempt to har¬ management of a prairie landsca monize these features with the land¬ representative. Would not the propos scape, taking advantage of topographic Killdeer Badlands Natural Area fulf changes and changes in alignment and the requirements well? view has been suggested. Treatments to minimize dust, and sodding of bare areas such as ditch-cuts, are possible solutions to the erosion problems. 'ACTON, C. J., SHIELDS, J. A. and J. Special attention must be given to the CLAYTON. 1966. A.R.D.A. soil capability a land inventory L.I.D. No. 920. western portion amount and nature of publicity given to Sask. Inst. Pedology, Univ. Sask., Saskatoi natural areas, for an overabundance of Sask. people can severely modify them, limiting their values for research and -DIX, R. L. 1966. Botanical reconnaissance of proposed national park at Val Marie, Sask education purposes. The location and chewan. Report to Dept. Northern Affairs a number of facilities should be dictated Nat. Resources, Natural and Hist. Resour by the recommended carrying capacity Branch, Ottawa. for each area. Development of part of an 'ELLLOTT, R. C. 1968. A proposal for the proh area for interpretive purposes, ex¬ tion and multiple-use of the Killdeer-Val Ma plaining its sensitivity, reasons for area. Saskatchewan. Report on file. Dept. Natu preservation and restricted recreational Resources, Park Planning Branch, Regina, Sa< use would be advantageous. 'LINLEY, K., HARRIS, W., and W. RENAU For the proposed Killdeer Badlands 1973. Grassland — a unique environment. 1 Sheaf — University of Saskatchewan. 62(50):

76 BLUE JA JPSCH, W. O., and M. D. WRIGHT, 1967. "NOVAKOWSKI, N. S. 1966. Investigation of the nnotated bibliography of Saskatchewan geology Killdeer- Val Marie area in southern Saskatchewan 1823 - 1965 inch). Dept, of Mineral Resources, as possible bison range. Can. Wild!. Serv. Rep., ieological Sciences Branch, Rep. 9, Regina, Ottawa. ask. "'RUSSELL, L. S. 1934. Fossil turtles from Saskat¬ chewan and Alberta. Royal Soc. Canada. Trans. ERRILL, C. L. 1965. National park potentials in ser. 3, v. 28, sec. 4: 101-112. askatchewan. Planning Div. Rep. 44. Regina, ask. "RUSSELL, L. S. 1950. The Tertiary gravels of Saskatchewan. Royal Soc. Canada, Trans. Ser. 3, ITCHELL, J., MOSS, H. C., and J. S. v. 44, sec. 4:51 -59. "LAYTON. 1947. Soil survey of southern Saskat- hewan from Township I to 48 inclusive. Soil Sur- l2STELLOX, J. C. 1966. An investigation of the ey Rep. 12. Sask. Inst. Pedology, Univ. Sask., current status of prairie dogs (Cynomys askatoon, Sask. Map No. 4. ludovicianus ludovicianus Ord.) in the Val Marie, Saskatchewan area. Manuscript report on file. DLLARD, J. D. 1966. Office air photo and field Can. Wildl. Serv., Ottawa. tudy of possible national park region in south¬ western Saskatchewan. Dept. Northern Affairs "'WHITAKER, S. H. 1965. Geology of the Wood nd Nat. Resources, Natural and Historic Resour- Mountain area (72-G), Saskatchewan. Univ. III. es Branch, Ottawa. unpubl. Ph.D. thesis. INTERPRETIVE PROGRAM laskatchewan Department of Natural Resources

by ROBERT J. LONG*

As the administrator of Saskat- Museum of Natural History. ewan’s renewable resources, the The Interpretive Program is still a apartment of Natural Resources has long way from being 100% operational, ng had an interest in environmental but progress is being made. Existing ucation. Provincial Parks have been facilities are being upgraded, and new anned with this in mind, Hunter services are developed each year. We are fety programs have attempted to im- now working on an over-all “master ove the behaviour of sportsmen, and plan” which will provide guide-lines for Dnservation Information Service future development. Ultimately we will iblications have attempted to keep see a far-reaching program that deals sidents informed on resource develop- not only with nature-study topics, but mts. The Museum of Natural History also subjects within the realm of human Regina is a division of D.N.R. whose history and resources management. tire function is to disseminate infor- Provincial Parks will continue to be the ition on Saskatchewan’s natural and centers of development, but facilities dorical heritage. will also be developed on D.N.R. lands In recent years, the dramatic upswing where conditions and local interest interest in education out-of-doors has warrant. reed the department to step up its The Interpretive Program is intended ograms. One of the most significant to provide facilities and information velopments has been the expansion that will encourage residents and d consolidation of the Interpretive visitors to look at and understand their ogram, which had previously existed surroundings within the parks, and after a series of independent trails and they leave. hibit centers in our Provincial Parks, There are four elements to the lis project has been assigned to the In- proposed program, including Nature rpretive Services Section of the Trails, Nature Center Exhibits, Naturalist Programs, and Publications. iskatchewan Museum -of Natural History, Each of these is an essential part of a gina, Saskatchewan.

tie, 1973 77