Managing Your Native Prairie Parcels Your Guide to Caring for Native Prairie in Saskatchewan by Jim Moen © Saskatchewan Wetland Conservation Corporation, 1998

NATIVE PRAIRIE STEWARDSHIP ManagingManaging YourYour NativeNative PrairiePrairie ParcelsParcels Your Guide to Caring for Native Prairie in Saskatchewan NATIVE PRAIRIE STEWARDSHIP

Managing Your Native Prairie Parcels Your Guide to Caring for Native Prairie in Saskatchewan by Jim Moen © Saskatchewan Wetland Conservation Corporation, 1998

ISBN 1-896 793-19-3

Published by Saskatchewan Wetland Conservation Corporation Room 101 - 2022 Cornwall Street Regina, Saskatchewan S4P 2K5 Tel (306) 787-0726 :ax (306) 787-0780

Design: The Noblet Design Group Printing: Western Litho Line Drawings: Rhondi Taylor-Davis Photography: Saskatchewan Wetland Conservation Corporation unless otherwise noted

Printed in Canada with vegetable ink on recycled paper 3M 01-98

1 NATIVE PRAIRIE STEWARDSHIP

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Saskatchewan Wetland Conservation Corporation greatly acknowledges the support of the following funding partners: Agriculture Canada through Agriculture Institute of Management in Sasakatchewan (AIMS), Canadian Adaptation and Rural Development in Saskatchewan and the Canada-Saskatchewan Agriculture Green Plan Agreement - Canada Millenium Partnership Program - Canada Trust, 'riends of the Environment 'oundation - Environment Canada through eco-ACTION 2000 and the Canadian Wildlife Service - Ducks Unlimited Canada - National 'ish and Wildlife 'oundation (U.S.) - 'ish and Wlidlife Development 'und through Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management and Wildlife Habitat Canada Thank you to the many contributors to this guide: Steve Allen, Lillian Body, Gary Bowes, George Colvin, Phil Curry, Luc Delanoy, Joan 'etterley, Jack Hay, Denis Huel, Brant Kirychuk, Brendan Kowalenko, Don Murphy, Dean Nernberg, Hal Petterson, Arnie Robinson, Jim Romo, Don and Nora Stewart and Dean Tavenetz. We appreciate the helpful comments and suggestions of a number of external reviewers of this document. Thanks to Zoheir Abouguendia, Terry and Della Anderson, Jim Birch, Ed Bueckert, Cecil Burima, Larry and June Grass Virginia Cranston, Ian and Verna Eaton, Jack Needle and Thread Grass and Velma Eppen, Tim 'ink, Louis 'ox, Darcy and Carolyn Glessing, Brendan Kowalenko, Bette and Dennis Reiss, Deryl Richards, Jim Romo, Isaac Schellenberg, Colleen Scissons, Rick Stokes, Doress Thiessen, Donald Wesa, Victor and Olive Woytowich. Thanks to staff at the Saskatchewan Wetland Conservation Corporation for their efforts in the development, production and editing of this guide: Lesley Hall, Tom Harrison, Sharon Metz and Greg Riemer. 2 NATIVE PRAIRIE STEWARDSHIP

WHO IS THIS GUIDE WHY WAS THIS GUIDE This private stewardship is a commitment by you, the OR? PRODUCED? landowner, to conserve and This planning guide is for Our southern Saskatchewan maintain the natural features of Saskatchewan landowners who landscape is one of the most your land. The Native Prairie have remnant native prairie. altered land areas in the world. Stewardship Program is Remnant native prairie is a patch Most of the land suitable for crop providing technical assistance to of native grassland in an area production has been ploughed landowners to help manage their dominated by non-native and cultivated. The vast majority remnant native prairie. In vegetation, such as cropland. In of native prairie has been lost addition, you may wish to other words, when you look at a from these areas. In many areas, protect your piece of native landscape, natural prairie land is less than 3% of the landscape prairie for the future by placing a in the minority. remains as native grassland. We conservation easement on the This guide will assist you to: risk losing what little native land title. More information on prairie remains in Saskatchewan. conservation easements is • gain a better understanding of provided in this guide. your native prairie The Native Prairie Stewardship Program is being implemented by • set goals and make plans for the Saskatchewan Wetland the future conservation and Conservation Corporation enhancement of your native (SWCC) with the aim of prairie working with landowners to • do a self-assessment of your conserve remnant native prairie. native prairie • explore techniques to improve your native prairie • identify new income opportunities from your native prairie • become aware of legal tools

for conserving this land photo courtesy of Dean Nernberg Many management techniques are described in this guide, but because of their complex nature all aspects of their application is not covered. 'or more information on these techniques, reading materials and resource people are listed at the back of the guide.

Ed Harder on his prairie land near Hepburn 3 NATIVE PRPRAIRIEAIRIE STEWARDSHIP

TABLE O CONTENTS

Acknowledgements Who is this guide for? Why was this guide produced?

SASKATCHEWAN NATIVE PRAIRIE PRAIRIE STEWARDSHIP The prairie ecosystem Voluntary stewardship and the Native Prairie Stewardship Program Saskatchewan prairie plant communities Conservation easements: a tool for private landowners Climate Donate or sell your land to a conservation organization Grazing "ire Stories What does this mean for prairie management? Easement conserves Bradwell land Last Mountain lake farmers donate land The Saskatchewan Prairie Today Where has all the prairie gone? We’re left with remnants! Bibliography Why should we be concerned about native prairie? Remnant Prairie Inventory Appendix A - Assessing native remnants and conservation easements What is threatening prairie remnants? How can your assessment be appealed? How can native prairie be conserved? How do conservation easements affect land assessment? Notes Appendix B - Conservation agencies who may Archeological and historical resources hold easements Economic diversification and native prairie Appendix C - Agencies and associations with Stories information on native prairie conservation and Restoring mixed grass prairie at Last Mountain Lake restoration Conserving a special piece of native prairie at Luseland Conservation of native prairie Archeological resources on native prairie DEVELOP A MANAGEMENT PLAN Native prairie plants OR YOUR PRAIRIE Restoration of native prairie Step 1 - Write down what you value about your native prairie Wildlife Step 2 - Set goals for your native prairie Setting goals and making plans Step 3 - Map and take stock of your native prairie Controlling exotic and problem vegetation Step 4 - Develop a plan of action Prescribed burning What actions will you take? Livestock and grazing management Step 5 - Monitor and evaluate your progress Water, wetlands and riparian management Income opportunities from your native prairie Notes Legal tools for conserving native prairie Identifying Native Plants Appendix D - Saskatchewan Agriculture and Invasive Species Checklist ood Rural Service Centres Safety is important Leafy Spurge: control with beetles and sheep Appendix E - Saskatchewan Provincial Library Using sheep fescue to fight brome System

Stories Index Biggar farmer takes the pressure off his native prairie Meewasin Valley Authority uses fire to control exotic plants Wicking bromegrass along Eagle Creek Controlling buckbrush in Kronau Harvesting and marketing native seeds at Arcola Coderre man harvests native seeds NATIVE PRAIRIE STEWARDSHIP Saskatchewan 11 Native Prairie

THE PRAIRIE ECOSYSTEM by these disturbances. SASKATCHEWAN PRAIRIE PLANT COMMUNITIES The Saskatchewan prairies We often talk about Native prairie is dominated by formed after the glaciers ecosystems, especially when grasses, but it is anything but began to retreat 16,000 we talk about natural areas. boring! There are hundreds of years ago. This geological An ecosystem refers to a different grasses and wildflowers, as well as shrubs and trees. history has left us with group of living things and Careful observation of prairie distinctive landforms and their physical environment. from spring to fall reveals a constantly changing variety of life soils. The native prairie A very small system, such as - the plants put on an amazing developed on that landscape a pond, can be viewed as an display of colours, textures, and and in an environment ecosystem, as can the entire shapes. characterized by a harsh world. Basically, when we Biodiversity (short for biological diversity) is a term used to talk climate, grazing pressure, talk about an ecosystem, we about the variety of living things. and fires. It can be said are talking about the whole Biodiversity is important at three that the prairies were shaped pond or field, and all that is levels: (1) SPECIES: the number of in it. We can look at the different species, original native prairie as an (2) GENES: the genetic variety within each species, and ecosystem made up of plants, (3) COMMUNITIES: the variety animals, humans, soils, of community types (groups of landforms, climatic events, species). fires, and grazing. Biodiversity results from living things adapting to their environment. 'or example, in a healthy native prairie, there are species that thrive in moist conditions and some that prefer dry hillslopes. The existence of all of these species allows the prairie to maintain ground cover in drought and wet years. The species simply fluctuate in numbers in response to the environmental conditions. 5 photo courtesy of Dean Nernberg NATIVE PRAIRIE STEWARDSHIP

grasses like blue grama. The shorter grasses predominate where it is drier or where there is overgrazing. escue prairie is found in the black soil zone and moister areas of the dark brown soil zone. It is named after its dominant grass species, plains rough fescue. The thick growth of the plains rough fescue is often referred to as prairie wool. Because of fairly good moisture conditions, fescue prairie is often readily invaded by poplar when grazing and fire are removed. Mixed grass prairie near Abernethy Similarly, genetic variety within a In Saskatchewan there are two species ensures the persistence of main types of native prairie: the that species in the face of mixed-grass prairie and the fescue changing environmental prairie. Within each of these conditions. 'or example, certain prairie types there is a great deal individual plants may be more of variety due largely to tolerant of grazing or more landforms, soils, and moisture resistant to disease. availability. But here is a very On a larger scale, a variety of general description of each. plant communities, including Mixed-grass prairie occurs in wetlands, saline areas, and places southern and western areas of dominated by shrubs and trees, Saskatchewan, on the brown and provides different habitat types dark brown soil zones. It is for species besides plants. made up of a mixture of mid- sized wheat grasses and needle When it comes to biodiversity, Blue Grama Grass though, more is not always grasses, and also includes short better. Attempts should be made to manage for natural biodiversity of a place. In fact, the addition of species that are not native to the prairies (“exotics”), such as agricultural and garden plants or weeds usually lowers the diversity of native species. Where only a small prairie area remains, it may be more important to maintain the grass cover and provide much needed habitat for grassland species than it is to have poplar bluffs, which are relatively common. 6 "escue prairie near Wilkie NATIVE PRAIRIE STEWARDSHIP

GRAZING Grazing has been an integral part of the prairie ecosystem. Normally we think of bison, but other herbivores (plant eaters) including elk, antelope, mule deer, rabbits, prairie dogs, and insects such as grasshoppers played large roles as well. Just as plants evolved strategies to withstand the climatic conditions, they evolved adaptations to grazing. Some plants developed features that discourage grazing. CLIMATE moisture evaporation, runoff, and 'or example, some grass species, erosion. Plant cover creates a such as spear grasses, have seeds All of us who live here know that local environment (a micro- with awns (those “spears” that our climatic conditions are harsh! climate) that moderates the stick in your socks!). Another This is a land of extremes. There extreme conditions. 'or example, strategy is the development of is severe heat and cold, the vegetation cover slows and holds growth forms that make grazing temperature fluctuating from day precipitation, reducing soil less harmful to the plants, such as to day as well as from season to erosion that could result from a season. Moisture availability is heavy downpour, and allowing generally low, due to a more moisture to soak into the combination of irregular and soil over a greater amount of minimal precipitation, and time rather than run off. excessive evaporation. On top of Vegetation cover also this, severe weather often brings moderates extremes of heat high winds, heavy downpours, and cold by insulating the and hail. soil surface and roots and So during the short growing bases of plants. season the conditions for good Photo courtesy of Dean Nernberg plant growth are very unpredictable, and native plants and animals have adapted to endure extended periods with very little water and nutrient intake. One plant adaptation is to store food as reserves to survive times of dormancy. Another adaptation, is the way many prairie plants roll up their leaves when conditions are very hot and dry, reducing exposure to the elements and moisture evaporation through leaf pores. The build up of litter plays an important role as well. Vigourous groundcover decreases The build-up of dead plant material reduces evaporation, prevents erosion, and regulates soil 7 temperature. NATIVE PRAIRIE STEWARDSHIP

having growing points near There are records of human-set WHAT DOES THIS MEAN ground level that are not fires taking place in every month OR PRAIRIE removed by grazing, allowing of the year except January. The MANAGEMENT? quick regrowth. highest occurences of these fires were in the spring (from March It can be argued that in order to There are some characteristics conserve native prairie about historic grazing patterns to May) and the summer/fall period (July to November). The biodiversity, we must conserve that are important to remember. the conditions under which 'or example, the large bison month with the highest fire occurrence was October. prairie was shaped. Therefore, it herds likely removed huge may be necessary to manage for amounts of plant material in the Lightning-set fires, however, would have occured most conservation by putting back areas they grazed over a very some of those processes that have short period of time. This and frequently in the drier months of July and August. been removed, namely the associated trampling would disturbance (especially fire and have exposed soil and encouraged Again, native plants have adapted grazing) and rest. growth of those species that are to these conditions. 'or example, adapted to disturbed sites. many perennial plant species can Looking to history can guide us However, they also had vast areas reproduce with underground somewhat in our management to roam, and it is likely that most parts, such as rhizomes. These today. We see that the living and of the landscape was not rhizomes are relatively protected the non-living pieces of the impacted severely year after year. during a fire, and allow the plant ecosystem have complicated and interdependent relationships that In other words, “rest” was a to reestablish and invade open areas after a fire. have shaped the prairies for characteristic condition along thousands of years. In order to with grazing, and the majority of Today specific burning practices manage prairie properly today, we the prairies were only subject to can be used to control some must consider the whole light grazing pressure. species that can invade prairie ecosystem - including the plants, remnants, such as Kentucky blue animals, insects, birds, climate, IRE grass and woody species such as grazing pressure, and fire. 'ires have always been a presence poplar and buckbrush. on the Northern Great Plains. It is thought that fires set intentially or accidentally by aboriginal peoples were in fact more common than fires caused by lightning. One of the main purposes of human-set fires was to direct bison migration. This is an interesting and important fact, as many of us tend to see the pre- European settlement landscape as untouched by humans. In fact, like any other species, humans have been part of the prairie ecosystem. Historical accounts generally report scattered, small fires that burned for less than a day, rather than huge wildfires. Usually fires burned in a patchy way, leaving 8 some areas untouched. Coulees

and rivers acted as barriers to fire. Photo courtesy of Dean Nernberg NATIVE PRAIRIE STEWARDSHIP

THE SASKATCHEWAN WHY SHOULD WE BE Remnant Prairie PRAIRIE TODAY CONCERNED ABOUT NATIVE PRAIRIE? Inventory WHERE HAS ALL THE Native prairie is a valuable From 1995 to 1997, the PRAIRIE GONE? WE’RE resource. It contains our Saskatchewan Wetland LET WITH REMNANTS! ecological history and is the Conservation Corporation looked In areas of Saskatchewan which heritage of our province. If we for native prairie remnants in the are particularly suited for crop lose native prairie we lose the mix heavily cultivated areas of production, only small areas of of prairie plants and animals that Saskatchewan. The study was native prairie remain. These are unique to the prairie focused in areas with good soils patches are the remnants of the grasslands. These species are the for crop production, mainly in native prairie that used to cover product of thousands of years of the dark brown and black soil the entire region. They are the evolution and that richness can zones. On average, less than 2% exception on the landscape, as never be replaced. of these areas were left in native almost all the land has been Conserving prairie biodiversity in prairie. Initial results show that cultivated. one area of the the great majority (84%) were province is not under 160 acres in size, with enough because plant 40% of the remnants less than species and their 40 acres. genetic characteristics are adapted to suit Almost half of the remnants had different places. It is no physical limitations to important that cultivation, and therefore might natural areas be be considered for crop land in conserved across the the future. The other sites were province, in different limited by terrain, stoniness, soil soils and different texture, salinity, or excessive moisture conditions. moisture. As the remaining Even those parcels less likely to We have all been made aware of pieces of native prairie become be cultivated were threatened. the destruction of the rainforests isolated, like islands in a sea of in Central and South America. It cultivated land and non-native One half of the sites were is shocking to realize that the vegetation, the wildlife diversity subjected to heavy grazing scale of destruction of the North also decreases. Animals and birds pressure, while one quarter were American prairies in the last 150 that require larger habitat areas not utilized at all by livestock. years has been equally severe. may not be able to survive in Over 40% of the sites were in Originally there were 67 million sufficient numbers. Grassland poor to fair range condition. acres of native grassland in birds have shown a steep decline Exotic grasses, like smooth Saskatchewan. It is estimated in numbers. Other animals, brome grass and Kentucky blue that less than 15 million acres including insects and spiders, are grass, were present at up to 80% remain. Most of what is left is in seriously affected as areas of of the sites. Some remnants the south-western portion of the native prairie are lost. We need (about 8%) were subjected to to identify where the remaining province. In many municipalities other threats such as acreage native prairie is and conserve and where soils are particularly suited development and gravel enhance it wherever possible. to crop production, an average of extraction. less than 2% of the land remains as native prairie. It is critical that these areas be conserved. Every acre is important! 9 NATIVE PRAIRIE STEWARDSHIP

cemetery, burial sites should not WHAT IS THREATENING Archeological and be disturbed. Burial sites are PRAIRIE REMNANTS? historical protected by federal and Since these remnants are relatively resources provincial law. Also visible in small and located in cropland some areas of your native Native prairie on your farm may areas, they are at risk of being prairie, especially around tipi cultivated or overtaken by invasive contain evidence of the earliest rings and in areas where the species. The threats to the peoples of Saskatchewan. subsoil has been exposed, may remnants originate from: Because native prairie has been be pieces of pottery and stone uncultivated and relatively tools, such as arrowheads, undisturbed since European • CHANGES IN LAND hammers and scrapers. settlers arrived, it may hide OWNERSHIP: New owners may important archeological not place the same value on the resources. These archeological native prairie as the previous resources should be respected Economic owner. and left intact wherever diversification • ECONOMIC PRESSURES: possible. You may also see and native prairie The urge to break up the native evidence of the early European prairie and farm it may become immigrants to Saskatchewan, There are ways to add to your greater as grain prices increase, or such as old cart trails and income by utilizing native because of tax incentives and land survey markers. prairie. Certainly livestock assessments. Often, the production is one way, either by perception that more money can be made on broken land is proven running the livestock yourself, false in a matter of years, because or renting the pasture to a the land is marginal. neighbour. There are other potential economic • 'EWER MIXED 'ARMS: opportunities that prairie lends Without livestock, there may seem to be no use for native pasture itself to. A few ideas include: and the area is converted to - harvesting, packaging, and cropland. marketing native seeds Photo courtesy Dale Worme • MORE E''ICIENT 'ARM A “turtle” effigy on a native prairie hilltop - collecting grasses and flowers MACHINERY: As machinery for the craft market becomes larger and more efficient, There may be tipi rings, there can be a lot of pressure to medicine wheels, boulder - gathering herbs for the health break up the small parcel of native effigies, cairns, burial sites and market prairie within a large field. Many other features on your land. - hosting tourists on your native acres of native prairie are The stones may be positioned prairie to view wildlife sacrificed for the sake of a square in a pattern. Not all stones will field. The possibilities are only limited be visible, because some may • AGGRESSIVE EXOTIC by your imagination. have been buried or removed VEGETATION: Introduced over time. These stone features Native prairie is very rich in its plants like brome grass, crested will be most easily seen after a contents, but keep in mind that wheat grass, leafy spurge, scentless dry period, in the early spring, there are limits to what we can chamomile, and Kentucky blue after heavy grazing or after a take from the prairie without grass commonly invade native burn. The native vegetation causing long-term degradation. prairie areas. may hide the stone features. If treated with respect, the prairie can be very good to you. 10 Stone piles may actually mark Indian burial sites. As with any NATIVE PRAIRIE STEWARDSHIP

• IDLING: Some remnant Restoring mixed He has also been experimenting prairie has been left idle for with using grazing and fire in decades. Disturbances such as grass prairie at his prairie management. Dean grazing and haying keep a prairie the north end of is employing fire and grazing as ecosystem healthy and maintain a tools in his attempts to control natural balance of plant species. Last Mountain exotic species, stimulate the Lake native plant species, and • OVER-GRAZING: Small enhance the natural biodiversity. remnants of native prairie are Restoration is the attempt to Dean has had success in often viewed as wastelands and are bring an area back to a former restoring native prairie through stocked too heavily or for too or healthier state. This might mean reseeding cultivated land seeding. He recommends long during the growing season. mowing during the first year of As a result, some plant species to native grasses and wildflowers, or improving a growth. A 40 acre native plant may be lost and the native prairie natural area that has been nursery is in the works. He’ll becomes less healthy, making degraded by misuse or poor get it started in the spring of invasion by undesirable plants management. 1998 and multiply seeds that much easier. have been wild-harvested. Restoration of cultivated land • LACK O' 'IRE: With the with native seed mixes is not an general absence of fire on native alternative to conserving prairie, more litter accumulates on existing native prairie nor an the soil surface, and more woody excuse to plow any of the species (i.e., buck brush) and remaining prairie. It is, exotic species (i.e., brome grass) however, an important addition have an opportunity to gain a foot to conservation because in hold. many areas the natural vegetation has been almost • ACREAGE and URBAN completely eradicated. DEVELOPMENT: As new Dean Nernberg is a researcher yardsites are developed, with the Mixed Grass Prairie particularly near urban centres, Habitat Restoration Project Dean Nernberg harvests native seed clearings, landscaping, and roads managed by the Canadian eliminate any native prairie which Wildlife Service at the Last Dean has put together a manual exists. Mountain Lake National Wildlife on recommended seed mixtures Area. The objective of the • RESOURCE EXTRACTION: for different areas of the project is to re- establish and Gravel pits, oil wells, and province and different soil rehabilitate diverse native types, entitled Native Species pipelines, along with required prairie habitat through Mixtures for Restoration. Check roads eliminate the native appropriate restoration and out the appendix at the back of vegetation and provide a management. The wildlife area the guide for more information. disturbance that encourages weed covers 36,000 acres and is establishment and spread. home to the oldest bird sanctuary in North America. You can visit the bird sanctuary • ATTITUDES: There is a The wildlife area is made up of any time of year. There is a general lack of interest in and self-guided tour and guide tapes respect for our native prairie, and diverse plant communities, with areas affected by salinity, are available. The revegetation this leaves prairie more vulnerable project is not presently open to to abuse and cultivation. moisture deficits and surpluses, as well as uplands and slopes. public tours, but if you call Dean has been collecting and ahead you may be able to make cleaning native prairie seed, and arrangements to view Dean’s replanting cultivated areas with work. See the contact list at the this seed. He’s using 70 native back of the guide for more plant species in his restoration information. work. 11 NATIVE PRAIRIE STEWARDSHIP

Conserving a collecting and germinating HOW CAN NATIVE special piece of native seeds. PRAIRIE BE CONSERVED? native prairie at “We’ll have the grade 9 class Native prairie can be conserved by busy in the spring of 1998,” removing the threats to the Luseland says Steve. “They will be remnants we have left. The first step involves a commitment to Native prairie will always have a transplanting native plants and take care of the land. This is a place in Luseland thanks to the will also be working to get the step you may already have taken. areas affected by brome grass efforts of volunteers. An You may commit yourself on a invasion under control.” abandoned school yard north of personal level or decide to make a Griffen Street has always been Plans are in the works to more formal commitment, such as in native prairie, but it has develop a kiosk at the site, and a voluntary agreement with the suffered over the years due to to contruct a perimeter barrier Native Prairie Stewardship excessive mowing, the to keep people from driving Program. You may wish to encroachment of dandelions through the prairie. They may impose restrictions on future land and brome grass, and local also develop a nursery that will use through a conservation easement, or by donating or traffic. In order to save this feature native prairie plants. prairie remnant from further selling the area to a conservation deterioration, the local citizens organisation. These options are presented in Part 3 of this along with the Luseland school planning guide. banded together in the spring of 1997 to form the Luseland In any case, taking care of the and District Millennium Prairie prairie may require managing the Garden Project on the site. land in some way. So the next step is to evaluate the “It’s been lots of work putting management needs of your the project together,” says Steve remnant area. Management that Allen, the local high school science teacher. “People are starting to gain appreciation for the site. They have been walking through the area and have been asking questions.” The organizers have entered into a 25 year agreement with the town of Luseland to showcase the five acres of native prairie. The first thing they did was to to stop mowing the site. Local high school students have been involved in identifying and flagging the plant species. reintroduces historic disturbances Areas that need improvement such as fire and grazing can help have been identified. The the prairie area to last for students will help to restore centuries to come. Part 2 leads native plants on the site, by you step by step through a 12 management plan. NATIVE PRAIRIE STEWARDSHIP Develop a 22 Management Plan for your Prairie

Once you have decided that We will present a number of STEP 1 - WRITE conserving remnant prairie management options, but DOWN WHAT YOU is a priority for you, you may keep in mind that not all of VALUE ABOUT YOUR want to consider what you them will apply to your NATIVE PRAIRIE value about your prairie. particular prairie site. It helps to be clear what you like or value about your prairie area. You may find that a certain You do not have to 'or some, the remnant is useful amount of management is implement a complicated as pasture. 'or others, the area is necessary to conserve the primarily a beautiful spot for management plan, nor do walks and seeing wildlife. Or things that you value. you have to work on maybe you value the prairie Developing a management because it is a piece of your everything that concerns you heritage. Make a list of what plan involves defining some right away. your prairie means to you and goals for your remnant your family. Include all the Also, you do not need to prairie and making a list of potential values that you may follow the steps in the have considered, including management actions that sequence they are shown - do economic values from such things can help you meet your as ecotourism or seed harvesting. what suits you and your goals. situation. STEP 2 - SET GOALS OR YOUR NATIVE Establish Values PRAIRIE Your list of things you value should direct you to some general goals for your remnant prairie. Monitor Develop Goals are the overall vision of Your Goals what you would like to Progress accomplish. 'or example, your goals may include optimizing prairie forage production or grazing a given number of cattle while maintaining good range condition. Other goals may be Map Your to maintain the natural diversity Develop Plan of prairie plant species, to of Action Prairie provide songbird habitat, or to 13 NATIVE PRAIRIE STEWARDSHIP

diversify your income by STEP 3 - MAP AND Mapping can assist in visualizing marketing seed that you have future plans and in identifying TAKE STOCK O YOUR harvested from your remnant. specific areas that need special You may want to seed some acres NATIVE PRAIRIE attention or that you might wish back to native prairie plants. Prepare a base map to protect. Include goals that might seem It may be easiest to record the Make the kind of map you feel is difficult to accomplish - you can features of your native prairie site appropriate. You might be happy make changes later when you are if you sketch it out on a map. with a freehand sketch, you developing your action plan. Not only can you record what might want to draw notes on an Also think about short term and has previously happened on the aerial photo, or you may make a long term goals. Whatever your land and what exists now, but set of mylar overlays that record goals may be, they will be unique you can also draw in areas where different features on each sheet. to your operation, and to the you can take steps to restore and However you choose to draw values you and your family hold. enhance your native prairie. your map, there are certain features that should be included, such as: STEP 1 - WHAT DO I VALUE ABOUT MY NATIVE • field boundaries PRAIRIE? • creeks, sloughs, dugouts, springs, beaver dams, wells 1) • roadways and trails • fencelines and gates 2) • buildings 3) • gravel pits, oil wells, mine sites 4) • archeological sites • north arrow 5) • legal land location • prominent landforms such as hills and valleys STEP 2 - WHAT ARE MY GOALS? Some of these features may be 1) noticeable from aerial photographs which are available 2) from the government of Saskatchewan’s Central Survey 3) and Mapping Agency*. You might also want to add where 4) different soil types occur. Soil survey reports are available from 5) the Saskatchewan Soil Survey Unit*. You will likely need to 6) walk through your native prairie to gather much of this basic 7) information. 8) *See resource list at the back of this guide. 9) 10) 14 NATIVE PRAIRIE STEWARDSHIP

Take stock of your native prairie While you are walking through your native prairie, take some time to look closely at the vegetation. The management required to accomplish the goals you identified in Step 2 will depend on the current composition and condition of the vegetation. Make notes about what you see, right on the map if you wish. You will then have a very good record of what kind of shape your native prairie is in. Enlist help if you need it! Have a range specialist visit the land and walk through the area with you. See the resource list at the back of the guide for contact Note significant features about your land on an air photo or hand-drawn map. information.

3. If your area includes streams or sloughs, are they lined with shrubs and lush 1. Notice what effect grazing vegetation? Streambanks and wetlands are is having on your stand of of special importance because they support native prairie. If you can, a broad diversity of wild plants and animals. compare it to native grass These areas also control shoreline erosion that is fenced off. What is the and protect water quality. difference in species and appearance? Are there areas that seem to be overgrazed or not grazed at all?

2. What is the land use adjacent to the prairie? Note where you 15 see cultivated land, crested wheat grass, brome/alfalfa, etc. NATIVE PRAIRIE STEWARDSHIP

4. What kind of vegetation is growing on any areas that 5. Where does the brush growth occur? Are there any may have been disturbed by resource extraction or utility areas that were cultivated in the past? Have you noticed lines? Are there other areas that need attention on your any special plants? Take note of their locations. native prairie? Are there old junk piles or land fills? These are unsightly and can be a source of pollution.

Identifying Native Plants

What is the condition of your native l Western Wheat Grass (Agropyron l Awned Wheat Grass (Agropyron prairie and how vigorous is it? smithii) subsecundum) Identifying what species are present l l helps determine the health of your Northern Wheat Grass (Agropyron Slender Wheat Grass (Agropyron grassland. It’s a good idea to learn dasystachum) trachycaulum) to identify the species that are l June Grass (Koeleria gracilis) l Hooker’s Oat Grass common in native prairie in your l (Helictotrichton hookeri) area. If you are not able to identify Blue Grama Grass (Bouteloua the main grass species in your gracilis) l Trembling Aspen (Populus prairie, call a range specialist to l Pasture Sage (Artemisia frigida) tremuloides) assist you. l Prairie Rose (Rosa arkansana) Fescue prairie Most common plant species in l Western Snowberry / Buckbrush l Plains Rough Fescue (Festuca Saskatchewan grasslands: (Symphoricarpus occidentalis) hallii) Mixed grass prairie l Wolf Willow / Silverberry l Western Porcupine Grass (Stipa (Elaeagnus commutata) l Needle and Thread Grass (Stipa curtiseta) comata) l June Grass (Koeleria gracilis) l Porcupine Grass (Stipa spartea)

16

Northern wheat grass Plains Rough "escue Needle and thread grass June grass NATIVE PRAIRIE STEWARDSHIP

INVASIVE SPECIES Quack Grass (Agropyron repens) Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense) A creeping grass at home in Europe. A perennial thistle of Eurasian CHECKLIST It is very persistent, as seeds can origin. It is a persistent weed, with a Do you see non-native plant species remain dormant in the soil for deep root system from which new like smooth brome grass, Kentucky several years and even tiny pieces of shoots develop quickly. It produces rhizome can regrow new plants. a large quantity of seed and is usually blue grass, sweet clover, Canada found in recently disturbed areas. thistle, or leafy spurge? If you do, do Crested Wheat Grass (Agropyron they seem to be spreading? Where cristatum) Dandelion (Taraxacum spp.) are they coming from? Common This introduced perennial tuft grass We’re all familiar with the dandelion. sources are disturbed areas like is a common forage species. It can It tends to find its way into pastures establish itself in disturbed areas of in disturbed areas. The dandelion is ditches, gravel pits, trails, or native prairie. native to Europe. It spreads by adjacent fields. prolifically produced seed. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) Another forage species from Europe, alfalfa can establish in disturbed spots in native prairie. It is perennial and usually tap-rooted. lixweed (Descurainia sophia) A European native that can get established in disturbed areas within a prairie. It acts as an annual or biennial and produces lots of seed. Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) This is a sage species imported from Europe. It is a perennial, and once established in pastures can be difficult to eradicate. Scentless Chamomile (Matricaria Smooth brome established along a trail maritima) GRASSES A short-lived perennial (may act as a Downy Brome (Bromus tectorum) biennial) native to Europe. These Smooth Brome Grass (Bromus noxious weeds are often called wild inermis) A European annual brome grass. It daisies. Each plant can produce up shows up in disturbed areas and dry, This is the common brome grass, the to 300,000 seeds per year! It is overgrazed pastures. It produces lots often seen around sloughs. one planted in hay fields and ditches. of seed and can spread quickly. This introduced grass is extremely Sweet Clover (Melilotus spp.) persistent and very competitive, Another escapee from agricultural spreading by creeping rhizomes and BROAD-LEAVED plantings, white and yellow sweet seed. ('ORBS) PLANTS clovers can show up where the Kentucky Blue Grass (Poa pratensis) Leafy Spurge (Euphorbia esula) ground has been disturbed in native areas. This is the European grass This is one of the most troublesome commonly used for lawns. It weeds species. It comes from appears to have come from Europe Europe, and readily establishes in almost 300 years ago. Considering uncultivated areas. It especially likes its use as a turf grass, it’s easy to see sandy soils. It spreads very well by that its nature is to form dense sod, creeping roots and seeds. The roots largely excluding other species. It can be up to 1 metre deep and it can tends to occur where there is slightly reproduce from even small pieces of more moisture. This fine grass may root. not stand out in a native area as much as some of the courser exotic grasses. 17 NATIVE PRAIRIE STEWARDSHIP

STEP 4 - DEVELOP A and grazing can prevent the need quality summer and fall grazing. for more intensive measures like It is adapted to its environment PLAN O ACTION herbicide application. and can buffer climatic extremes Now that you have a complete Every situation is unique. Use and disease. picture of your site and a list of your imagination and list a There are simple grazing goals, you can decide what needs variety of options to accomplish techniques for keeping native to be done and what options each goal. Try not to be prairie in good condition. there are for achieving your goals. overwhelmed by the number of Producers can alter the timing of Do the goals you have set in possible management options. their grazing, change how Step 1 still fit with what you No one can do everything, but intensively the land is grazed want to accomplish? Perhaps you even doing a little bit will help. (how close the plants are grazed), have already met some of your and how often the plants are goals. Let’s take a look at some common remnant prairie grazed between rest periods. It’s always a good idea to double management concerns and Native prairie can be grazed at check your goals, to make sure techniques. any stage of development and be what you want to achieve maintained in good condition matches the resources you have. Grazing native prairie provided grazing is followed by If you wish to revise your goals, The condition of native prairie an adequate rest period. As go back to Step 2 and make and livestock production can be mentioned in Part 1, rest and changes. If you are satisfied with improved through proper grazing have been natural your goals, proceed to make grazing. Grazing is an important processes in prairie ecosystems. plans and take action to conserve tool for maintaining native prairie The main concern is to allow your native prairie. in a healthy state. It is believed enough rest for the plants to Most plans will be designed to that historically bison intensively recover from grazing. eliminate the threats to your grazed the prairie, but may not In most native pasture grazing native prairie. Whenever have returned to any particular systems, aim to have at least 50% possible, try to set up a area for extended periods of time. of the plants’ growth remaining management plan that uses the Native prairie is excellent for at all times so they can save historical forces that shaped and livestock grazing and has many energy for later growth. This will maintained the prairie - fire and benefits over tame forages. It can aid in strengthening plant vigour grazing. Ideally, once the stay vigourous without reseeding and provides carry-over grazing immediate threats are removed, or fertilization. Its growth for hard years when new growth long-term management with fire characteristics make for high is limited. This accumulation of litter is also important because it helps to conserve moisture and insulates against extremes in temperature. In some cases, where several years of rest are anticipated, grazing can be more intense. You can provide alternative pasture or feeding to take the pressure off your native grassland. Distribute livestock evenly over your native prairie by herding, providing enough water sources, and moving salt and mineral blocks. 18 NATIVE PRAIRIE STEWARDSHIP

Biggar farmer spring. By grazing the crested His pasture land will be wheat grass it will delay the developed into a five paddock takes the grazing on his native prairie to deferred rotation system, with pressure off his later in the season. Fescue the objective of deferring native prairie maintains higher digestibility grazing on the native pastures later into the season than tame and then alternating which Dean Tavanetz is a cattle forages, but it does not native pasture gets grazed early producer and mixed farm withstand repeated grazing and which gets grazed late each operator north of Biggar, periods in one year. Crested year. In this way, each native Saskatchewan. Dean is also a wheat grass can, however, pose pasture is left ungrazed until member of the Biggar Grazing a potential threat to the native the fall on at least a periodic Co-op. He manages about 600 stands as an invader. You may basis. acres of fescue prairie near his decide to substitute a less farmstead, located in three main In addition to adding tame aggressive species. Refer to the pastures, two of which are forages to his grazing program, Forage Crop Recommendations dominated by speargrass and he also grazes stubble and road provided. wheatgrasses. The third has allowances. Dean is also more fescue content. Dean has also seeded some of considering conducting a his land to meadow controlled burn on some of his Dean has recently become bromegrass. Meadow brome native prairie to control the involved with a project to does not become stemmy and brush. As well, he manages the improve the condition of his unpalatable like crested distribution of his livestock by native prairie and his bottom wheatgrass when it matures. It salting and providing plenty of line with the assistance of is a good alternative to smooth water sources. Brendan Kowalenko, rangeland brome, because it has better specialist with the Brendan will be performing regrowth and doesn’t seem to Saskatchewan Stock Growers range condition assessments, be as invasive. If meadow Association’s Grazing and and has set up grazing cages to brome is not grazed too hard Pastures Technology Program monitor the recovery growth of on the first pass, it can provide out of Unity, Saskatchewan, and the native prairie. Dean’s additional grazing in late the Saskatchewan Wetland project will serve as a summer or fall. Crested Conservation Corporation. demonstration for other wheatgrass can be grazed first, producers in the Biggar area. In order to defer grazing on his followed by meadow brome, native pastures and improve and then the native range. their range condition (essentially through increasing the abundance of plains rough TAVANETZ GRAZING SYSTEM fescue), Dean has recently Year Spring Early Mid Late Fall reseeded some cropland to Summer Summer Summer perennial forage cover for spring and summer grazing. 1 Crested Meadow Native Native Native Wheat Grass Brome Pasture 1 Pasture 2 Pasture 3 One pasture was seeded to crested wheat grass and alfalfa, 2 Crested Meadow Native Native Native and another was seeded to Wheat Grass Brome Pasture 2 Pasture 3 Pasture 1 meadow brome and alfalfa. 3 Crested Meadow Native Native Native Wheat Grass Brome Pasture 3 Pasture 1 Pasture 2 A healthy stand of crested wheat grass can provide over a 19 month of good grazing in the NATIVE PRAIRIE STEWARDSHIP

Prescribed burning A spring fire burns off be used as part of a long-term 'ire has a number of impacts on accumulated leaf litter in the plan for conservation of a grassland ecosystem. It can kill spring and exposes a darkened biodiversity by recreating woody saplings, remove litter, soil surface to the sun. During a historical fire patterns. and enhance the growth of many drought, recovery from a fire may However, fire alone may not be wildflowers. But depending on be substantially slower because adequate for conservation when the fire occurs, how hot it regrowth will be limited. management - it should be used burns, and how often a burn There are many reasons for using in conjunction with other tools. occurs, it can have different fire as a tool for conserving native It is also important to remember effects. prairie in the mixed and fescue that the impact of fire cannot prairie regions. always be predicted. 'ire, like grazing, Many people are very helped shape the uncomfortable with the idea of prairies. 'ire can burning. If you’d like to burn rejuvenate native but don’t feel you could do it prairie plants, safely, try to read more about it causing plants to and become familiar with flower and produce common safety practices. Start more seed and with very small and safe burns others to grow taller and build your knowledge and and more robust. experience. 'ire can help control invading Range specialists are available to visit your land and discuss grasses, shrubs, and management options. trees and can increase 'or example, a fire tends to available soil nutrients. 'ire likely damage plants that are actively also has effects that growing at the time. This can we do not yet indirectly favour those species understand. that are not active because they With prescribed will have a competitive burning, fire is used advantage. Therefore, repeated as a management spring burning may lead to a tool for burning a grassland dominated by species specific area under that emerge later in the year. controlled As for buckbrush or poplar, one conditions. 'or fire will likely stimulate growth in example, fire can be the following seasons, whereas used to set back fires every year can reduce their cool season cover. However, the new growth invading species like that follows a fire is much more Kentucky bluegrass. palatable for grazers, and a 'or brush control, regime of fire combined with fire can be grazing pressure may adequately combined with reduce buckbrush, for example. grazing, because cattle will graze on The effects of fire also interacts the new brush with other environmental growth after a fire Burning patches rather than very large areas provides important conditions, such as moisture and further set it refuges for insects and animals. Smaller-scale burns will also be 20 availability and grazing pressure. back. 'ire can also safer and more easily controlled. NATIVE PRAIRIE STEWARDSHIP

Safety is first burn, ensure the amount of plant important material is great Fire can be a useful tool to enough to sustain a rejuvenate native prairie and fire. Also the volatility control invasive plants. Here of the plant material are some points to consider if must be considered. you are thinking about Some highly volatile prescribed burning. fuels such as woody plants can release • Carefully plan the burn. burning embers which • Safety is the greatest concern. can be carried through Do not burn by yourself. Have the air. an experienced person in • Make sure you know charge of the fire because even the current weather a small fire can get out of forecast for your area control. and that the wind • Notify your local fire direction is right for protection department that you the burn. will be burning, and obtain a photo courtesy of Dean Nernberg • Fire breaks must be permit for the burn. This will prepared before burning. A A prairie crocus flowering just days after a burn prevent them from having to path or a road could serve as a respond to the fire later. fireguard, or back burn a small disappear. Depending on the • Notify neighbours bordering area where you want the fire to weather, new growth will start your property that you will be stop. The wider the fire guard, appearing within a week or two. burning. the less chance there is of With the goal of native • First consider the amount of escape. Following the burn, the biodiversity in mind, Dr. Jim fuel that your area of native area will appear blackened and Romo, professor of plant prairie has developed. For the most plant material will ecology at the University of Saskatchewan, advocates using burning to simulate the natural conditions under which native prairie developed. “Fire is an essential part of the prairie ecosystem,” says Dr. Romo. “Try to include fire in your plan for managing your native prairie.” Refer to Appendix C for manuals that can explain more about how to burn native prairie.

21 NATIVE PRAIRIE STEWARDSHIP

Meewasin Valley project at the new St. Joseph’s Controlling exotic species in native prairie Authority uses High School. Exotic species are species that are fire to control Luc uses fire as a tool in controlling exotic species not native to a place. In Saskatchewan, most of the exotic exotic plant invasion and in invigorating the species originate from Europe or native prairie within the species Asia. Almost every garden and Cranberry Flats and Beaver The Meewasin Valley Authority agricultural weed is an exotic Creek recreational areas. His is responsible for maintaining plant. In the native prairie, too, main targets are smooth brome many native prairie areas along these exotics can invade and take and Kentucky blue grass the Saskatchewan River near over the native species. patches. Brome is especially Saskatoon. Luc Delanoy, who Many tame forage grasses, invasive coming in from fields works for Meewasin, is taking particularly smooth brome grass, outside the recreational areas. an active role in conserving the Kentucky blue grass and crested Following burning, after the native prairie stands. He has wheat grass can be serious weed patches have had a chance to gained considerable experience problems in native prairie. They regrow, Luc will apply in maintaining native prairie are very competitive and glyphosate herbicide with a aggressive, and if given the through practices like burning, wick applicator to complete the opportunity will invade native seeding native species and hay control of the undesirable prairie. Broadleaved weeds like mulching. grasses. leafy spurge and scentless Luc’s job is to manage these chamomile can spread quickly and He is careful to burn when natural areas along the overtake native areas. Other weather conditions are Saskatchewan River, including common invaders are sweet clover, favourable and he always has a Cranberry Flats, Beaver Creek, Canada thistle, and wormwood. crew available with a supply of Wanuskewin and the North East If exotic plants have invaded your water. He notifies the fire native prairie, you should take Saskatoon Natural Grasslands. department to obtain a permit action. Through “education and before burning. conservation” he provides an environment for the public where they can enjoy, understand and share in the beauty of the Saskatchewan River riverbank area. In addition Luc is taking a leading role in many community projects, including the native prairie landscaping

22 Photo courtesy of Luc Delanoy Meewasin staff burn a fireguard at the Silverspring Prairie in Saskatoon NATIVE PRAIRIE STEWARDSHIP

Wicking A keen student of native prairie grows back will be touched up management, Don has been using a wick applicator. bromegrass following the work of the native In the late fall of 1997, Don prairie expert John Morgan from along Eagle Creek experimented with burning to Argyle, Manitoba. John Morgan help control his brome grass “Brome is my enemy!” Don is an expert in native prairie invasion. He used a backpack Murphy is not shy in making restoration, and has developed sprayer to apply a 4-to-1 this statement. He is an owner a guide book called “Restoring mixture of diesel to gas to the of native prairie land along Canada’s Native Prairies.” Don area to be burned. When safe Eagle Creek near Struan, has been gaining advice and conditions were present he Saskatchewan. The tiny village experience, and hopes to one burned the patch of native of Struan is approximately 75 day get into the native grass prairie. He’ll monitor the area kilometers north west of seed production business. First, in the spring of 1998 to assess Saskatoon. he must get rid of the brome the effects of the fire as and get his native prairie back Don’s native prairie is bordered compared to the glyphosate in shape. by a highway. Brome grass application. from the road ditches has crept Don allows the brome to grow An innovator by nature, Don up into his native pasture. He until June when its rhizomes are has developed his own weed has been using a wick weakest. He then uses a hand- wiping equipment, including held wick applicator to pull type units, hand-held wipe on a 30% solution of hockey stick type units and a glyphosate to knock it special glove assembly which back. After two weeks he uses to wipe glyphosate the brome patches will onto the brome regrowth. He yellow, and after four has also set up a series of plots weeks they will be in his native prairie, where he is browned off and dead comparing the effectiveness of looking. He then mows different types of weed wiping the area using a rotary equipment, along with the weeds wacker, and rakes effect of raking out dead up the dead plant material on native prairie Don Murphy with some of his wicking equipment material into piles to be regrowth. He is also collecting burned later. As the soil native prairie seeds for warms up, the native restoring areas where the applicator to fight back the vegetation that was under the bromegrass has been brome for over a year now. brome will have a chance to eliminated. The brome grass usually grows grow back. Any brome that taller than the native grasses, and a wick applicator can be used to wipe herbicide on the brome without harming the native grasses growing underneath. A large area of Don’s native prairie is grazed. There is no problem with brome in this area. The cattle seem to keep it in check. It’s in the ungrazed area along the road where the brome problem has gotten out of hand. Don is doing his best to control it and trying to keep it from spreading.

Photo courtesy of Don Murphy 23 Brome treated with glyphosate (right) bordering the native prairie NATIVE PRAIRIE STEWARDSHIP

Using sheep “Fescues are circumpolar”, “It’s important to keep the explains Phil. “They are spread native stand as healthy as fescue to fight world wide. Sheep fescue is possible to resist brome especially useful in fighting invasion through burning and brome brome invasion”. grazing”. Planting border strips of sheep A drought zone develops fescue around native prairie can around the sheep fescue plant help fight brome invasion. Phil which inhibits creeping rooted Curry, with Ducks Unlimited at species like smooth brome from Melfort, has been using the coming in. Sheep fescue can be technique for several years now used together with crested with great success. wheat grass, however the The sheep fescue Phil uses is a crested wheat grass must be low maintenance, long lived, mowed so that it doesn’t set low growing exotic bunch seed. Phil reports that grass. It is commonly used in experiments are ongoing with school and church yards. It is a species suitable for border long living, drought tolerant planting, including tall wheat grass. It can provide nutritious, grass and creeping red fescue. good late fall grazing. There is Sheep fescue can be burned to also a native variety, Festuca rejuvenate it. Phil also stresses: saximontana. Sheep fescue Photo courtesy of Phil Curry

LEAFY SPURGE: Leafy spurge is a troublesome Other landowners are using weed in many native prairie sheep and goats to keep their control with stands in Saskatchewan. It is a leafy spurge under control. bother to cattle, whose mouths Sheep and goats will graze on beetles and sheep can become very sore from leafy spurge and this can help The Saskatchewan Wetland ingesting the plant. It can also reduce the infestation and slow Conservation Corporation owns cause scours. or stop its spread. This will allow grasses to be grazed by one and a half miles of shore Leafy spurge can spread rapidly cattle and horses later. front native prairie on Last by seed and root buds if left Mountain Lake. The total area unchecked. It is very difficult to Start grazing sheep and goats of the land, which was donated control through herbicides as it early in the spring when the has an extensive root system plant first emerges. Prevention and the necessary herbicides of flowering and seed-set by are toxic and expensive. leafy spurge is important. Biological control through the Before you move the sheep and use of spurge flea beetles from goats to a leafy spurge free the plant’s native Eurasia and area, contain them for a few grazing by sheep seem to be days so any viable spurge seed the best solution to keeping the can pass through their digestive plant in check. system. While you may not have sheep yourself, maybe you Leafy spurge beetles were can find a sheep producer who released in 1996 on the native will graze your pasture for prairie. They naturally feed on several years. Leafy spurge leafy spurge plants, and if their to the corporation by Arnie numbers are great enough, they Mowing or cutting can help Robinson and Emily Robinson, can keep the plant under limit its spread, but hand is about 180 acres. It is located control. The beetles have pulling seems to stimulate new straight across from Regina multiplied and are establishing rhizome growth. The best Beach on Pelican Point. The new colonies. It will take up to approach to controlling leafy Saskatchewan Wetland five years for the beetles to spurge is to take an integrated Conservation Corporation is establish themselves in the approach. Use more than one managing for a particular spurge stand. method to control the weed for problem weed that is causing best results. 24 concern in the area - leafy spurge. NATIVE PRAIRIE STEWARDSHIP

Controlling brush expansion Controlling Pastures Technology Rangeland It is common for buckbrush and buckbrush in Agrologist at Weyburn for poplar to spread in native prairie. advice. He suggested I use a Historically, fire and grazing Kronau mower to knock down the pressure kept the brush confined There’s no easy way to control buckbrush and give the native to areas of higher moisture buckbrush in native prairie. It’s grasses a chance to come back.” availability, where they had a a real knock down, drag out competitive advantage. Today it Hal kept cattle out of his native affair. And that’s exactly what is often necessary to impose prairie pasture for the 1997 specific brush management Hal Petterson is doing to control season, and used a gyro mower techniques. 'or example, repeated buckbrush on his native prairie on the buckbrush in mid-June, burning can effectively control pasture. after the shrubs had used some brush and poplar. Mowing can Hal has a small acreage near of the nutrients stored in their also be part of a brush control Kronau, Saskatchewan, some of roots to produce new leaves. regime. Herbicides can be used which is native prairie. Native The shrubs regrew, depleting selectively on small areas of brush prairie is particularly scarce in their stored resources even or along fencelines. the Kronau area. Hal became further. So when Hal mowed a involved with the Native Prairie second time in mid-July, the Stewardship Program shrubs had been hit fairly hard. administered by the Added to this, new growth at Saskatchewan Wetland this time of year may be more Conservation Corporation. susceptible to winter damage. A creek runs through Hal’s 35 For long term brush control, Hal acres of pasture. He’s had a plans to implement a rotational problem with buckbrush grazing system on his native choking out his native grasses prairie in future years. This will for several years. involve cross fencing the areas, and putting in a new water “The buckbrush problem was system to keep his livestock getting worse. It was so thick from drinking directly from the the cattle wouldn’t go in there, creek. He also plans on getting “Girdling” a poplar involves removing the bark and they would overgraze the into sheep next year. The sheep and phloem in a ring around the tree. good native grasses,” explains will browse on the buckbrush 'or small scale poplar control, you Hal. “The Wetland Corporation and help control its spread. might try “girdling” trees by suggested I call the Grazing and removing a ring of bark with a knife, while on a larger scale, bark scrapers (mechanical devices pulled over the trees which scrape back the bark) have a similar effect. Both allow the tree to keep moving stored nutrients from the roots as it grows, but the removal of the outer layer of bark and “phloem” means that the food produced in the leaves cannot be moved back down to the roots. In essence, the tree is fooled into depleting its reserves and dies. 25 Hal Petterson mows the heavy buckbrush cover NATIVE PRAIRIE STEWARDSHIP

Without its root reserves it does WHAT ACTIONS WILL YOU native plants, reading about the not have the ability to generate TAKE? native seed industry, and making suckers. connections for marketing in future On the following pages, write your years. High input controls, such as plan for managing your native mowing, scraping, or herbicides, prairie. Develop your plan based on You will need to be aware of the cost are perhaps not good long-term the goals you set up in Step 2 and on effectiveness in undertaking a new solutions. Initially, intensive the resources you have available. conservation practice. Spend your measures may be needed to set energy and dollars on what you can back poplars or brush. Ideally, Look your plan over and decide actually accomplish if your time and though, management should lead which goals are priorities for you. financial resources are limited. to a point where brush remains in Everyone is limited by time, energy, Prioritize your goals and select a balance with the grassland. and money. You will likely not be practical actions that suit your needs able to work to achieve all goals at A combination of fire, haying, and abilities. Record a deadline the same time. Maybe you will date for implementing each action. and grazing can be very effective decide to work on only one of your in controlling woody species. goals this year, or you may need to 'or example, burning an area can scale back your expectations in some draw cattle to feed on new lush areas. grass and twigs. This follow up can add to the impacts of the fire. 6or example, you may want to Also, other livestock, such as elk, eradicate some brome that is sheep, and goats browse on invading, but realize you only have woody species and control their time to mow it to control seed spread. 'or more information on production and spread. If you are brush control techniques, refer to interested in seed marketing, you the publications and resource may find it’s best to spend a year or people listed at the back of the two getting to know more about guide. Photo courtesy of Jim Moen

Three-"lowered Avens

26 Some livestock, such as elk, will browse on woody species NATIVE PRAIRIE STEWARDSHIP

STEP 4(A) - A LIST O THINGS I CAN DO TO MOVE TOWARD MY GOALS:

GOAL 1 - ACTIONS 1) 2) 3) 4)

GOAL 2 - ACTIONS 1) 2) 3) 4)

GOAL 3 - ACTIONS 1) 2) 3) 4)

GOAL 4 - ACTIONS 1) 2) 3) 4)

27 NATIVE PRAIRIE STEWARDSHIP

STEP 4(B) - MY ACTION PLAN

START DATE PRIORITY

GOAL 1 ACTIONS

GOAL 2 ACTIONS

GOAL 3 ACTIONS

GOAL 4 ACTIONS

GOAL 5 ACTIONS

28 NATIVE PRAIRIE STEWARDSHIP

STEP 5 - MONITOR STEP 5 - AM I REACHING MY GOALS? AND EVALUATE YOUR GOAL 1 EVALUATION: PROGRESS Remember that your plan should be flexible. Your goals will change as time goes on, as will markets and technology. As you proceed with your plan, it’s very important that you take time every so often to evaluate your progress, and CHANGES REQUIRED: make changes where necessary. GOAL 2 EVALUATION: Think back to your goals. Are they being achieved? Is your management making a difference? Is there positive change? If not, what must be done to make the change happen? Patience is the key. It can take several years to see the changes take place. CHANGES REQUIRED: Photographs taken on field walk abouts are useful in monitoring GOAL 3 EVALUATION: change. Areas of your native prairie can be flagged and serve as benchmarks to be visited later on. Take a series of “before” pictures so you can compare changes over time. Pictures can illustrate gradual changes that you CHANGES REQUIRED: otherwise might not notice. Initial changes will be seen in GOAL 4 EVALUATION: vegetation. You can monitor the composition of plants at these sites and how vigourous the plants appear, as well as your accomplishments in controlling problem weeds like brome grass. Secondary signs of positive change CHANGES REQUIRED: will result from the changes in vegetation. These can include a GOAL 5 EVALUATION: more productive and healthy livestock herd, the occurrence of more wildlife, as well as a higher quality of life for you and your family.

CHANGES REQUIRED:

29 NATIVE PRAIRIE STEWARDSHIP

Harvesting and conservation groups. They plan “Sometimes it can be a lot of to expand their nursery in the time spent, with not much marketing native coming year so that it is over 4 return. But after a while you seeds at Arcola times the current size. learn a few tricks and you are better able to judge what is Nora has had worthwhile and what isn’t.” plenty of interest in her Denis began to concentrate on a nursery number of species, particularly following her brush species like berries, presentation at rosebush, and wolf willow. He the Western has tried a seed stripper, Canada Farm purchased from Prairie Habitats Progress Show Inc., a company from Argyle, in June 1997 in Manitoba, and has had some Regina. success with it. When it comes to collecting seed from brush The Stewarts species, he feels that hand have always picking is best. Prairie Mountain Nursery near Arcola been concerned about the plight of native “I’ve done some harvesting Don and Nora Stewart from prairie and wanted to do around Coderre and some in Arcola, Saskatchewan, have a something about it. Their forest areas,” says Denis. “I good thing going. And it’s passion has become a business harvest mainly in the fall, when called the Prairie Mountain for them. the seeds are ripe and dry Nursery, a native plant nursery enough.” which is producing and selling seed from native perennials Coderre man established from wild, hand- harvests native collected seed. They live on seeds 480 acres, most of which is Denis Huel from Coderre has native prairie. always had an interest in native Don and Nora now have a one- plants. Coderre is a community acre native plant nursery in in southern Saskatchewan just operation. They hand-collect west of Old Wives Lake. wild seed from their own land Recently Denis has become and other native areas and involved in harvesting native multiply the seed in their seed for money. nursery. The nursery plants He has been buying seeds from Denis Huel include eighteen species of seed companies for years. grasses and sixty species of Denis got started in supplying Recently he noticed some ads in wildflowers. seed to seed companies company catalogues looking for because of the money. “There’s The Stewarts have turned their sources for native seeds. Denis lots of opportunity for passion into a business and knew of many areas where collecting and selling native have started a native seed native seed could be collected, seeds,” adds Denis. “You’ve just company. They sell seeds to so he decided to give it a try. got to know where to look and interested gardeners, native “It can be a money maker, but be willing to work hard to reap 30 plant enthusiasts and it’s a tough one,” reports Denis. the rewards.” NATIVE PRAIRIE STEWARDSHIP Prairie 33 Stewardship

Prairie stewardship is meant The program provides support to for anyone who owns, leases, voluntary stewards in their management efforts by providing or cares for native prairie. up-to-date information on Even a tiny area is management techniques (such as this guide), help in assessing the important and valuable. condition of their remnant You likely have already prairie, and resource people, decided to take care of your including rangeland specialists, who can answer questions and native prairie remnant. provide advice.

But you may want to The collective effort of voluntary Photo courtesy of Dean Nernberg become involved with a prairie stewards is making a large The wild pink-flowered onion impact on prairie conservation in group of prairie stewards like the province, while also yourself or be sure that the promoting prairie to all remnant area will be Saskatchewan residents. conserved in the future.

VOLUNTARY STEWARDSHIP AND THE NATIVE PRAIRIE STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM The Native Prairie Stewardship Program is intended to promote awareness and conservation of remnant prairie in Saskatchewan. We are building an active network of prairie landowners and managers who share a common interest in native grasslands. People can become involved with the program through a voluntary stewardship agreement - a verbal commitment to maintain and conserve a piece Voluntary stewards Bill and Helen Thiessen, near Hepburn of native prairie. 31 NATIVE PRAIRIE STEWARDSHIP

Easement The landowner, Don Lehr, CONSERVATION wanted to conserve the 200 EASEMENTS: A TOOL OR conserves acres of native prairie, retain PRIVATE LANDOWNERS Bradwell land ownership of the land, and still If you are concerned about Jack Hay farms in the Bradwell rent the 100 acres of crop land conserving your special piece of area of Saskatchewan. He rents to Jack Hay. A conservation native prairie in the future, then a 320 acres from lawyer and easement was a way for him to conservation easement may be for farmer, Don Lehr. The half accomplish his goals. He you. Conservation easements section was previously owned decided to enter into a letter of between landowners and by Lehr’s great uncle, who understanding and eventually conservation organizations can be set up to protect ecosystems, worked in the Bradwell area into a conservation easement conserve open spaces, and ensure when the railroad came agreement with the Saskatchewan Wetland the continued enjoyment of through. In fact, a CP rail line historic and scenic areas. cuts right through the half Conservation Corporation section. (SWCC). Conservation easements may be an option for landowners wanting The native prairie to control how their piece of has lots of wildlife native prairie is managed in future on it, with some years. Easements move with the open water on it land title, and new owners of the during the wet land must accept the terms of the years. easement, or negotiate new terms with the parties involved in the “There were about easement. 20 prairie chickens (sharp-tailed Conservation easements are new grouse) and some to Saskatchewan. Legislation was waterfowl nesting enacted in Saskatchewan in this year,” reports January 1997 which allows these voluntary legal agreements to be Jack. “We don’t Display of the male sharp-tailed grouse struck between landowners and a allow hunting in there though. qualified conservation agency of “The town of ‘French’ initially It’s a great place to watch birds. the landowner’s choice. The surveyed on this half section,” The conservation easement will landowner continues to own and said Jack Hay. “But the town help retain the native grassland manage the land. If the land is was moved from the CP to the and the wildlife in the area.” sold, the easement is transferred CN track and since became the The landowner, the renter and with the land title. town of Clavet.” As a result the the Saskatchewan Wetland There can be tax benefits to town of French never did Conservation Corporation are all granting conservation easements. develop and much of the land happy with the easement Revenue Canada views the stayed as native prairie. It is arrangement. conservation easement as a still that way today. charitable gift, which is tax Jack adds “the agreement is Of the 320 acres, 200 acres is deductible. The difference alright, it has done what the native prairie, and the rest is between the land’s market value owner, the SWCC and I wanted with the easement and the value cultivated or under the railroad to accomplish. It’s really a win- without the easement is the value track. Jack Hay has been win arrangement for everyone.” of the charitable gift. This tax farming the 100 acres of crop benefit may be observed at the land for over 40 years. time of donation or extended over 32 5 years. See Appendix B for a list NATIVE PRAIRIE STEWARDSHIP

of conservation agencies with Last Mountain Conservancy will ensure the whom you can hold an easement land is conserved after I’m in Saskatchewan. lake farmers gone, however, and that’s donate land comforting to know.” A DONATE OR SELL YOUR donation with a “life interest” George Colvin is a landowner LAND TO A means that George can continue along the west side of Last CONSERVATION to live on his land as long as he Mountain Lake in an area south ORGANIZATION wishes. Until he does leave, he of Regina Beach. One of his continues to pay the taxes and Many landowners have decided to land holdings is a half section, and collect any lease revenues. protect their native prairie land by 320 acres, which has donating or selling it to particularly good wildlife habitat On the east side of Last conservation agencies like the on it. About 150 acres of this Mountain Lake, Arnie Robinson Saskatchewan Wetland land is still native. Colvin rents and Emily Robinson are Conservation Corporation, Ducks the pasture area to a local landowners with a similar Unlimited Canada, the Nature rancher who manages the grass interest in conserving native Conservancy of Canada, or land. The half section has been prairie. They too wanted to Saskatchewan Wildlife 'ederation. under increasing pressure to be donate native prairie to a These agencies are set up to subdivided and developed for conservation organisation to manage natural areas. They can cottages and businesses. keep it in its natural state into assume the title on the land and the future. “My grandfather homesteaded ensure that the land stays free the land in 1903,” says George. “We didn’t want the land from cultivation and development “Because there has been so developed into resort lots,” says into the future. much activity in the area, I Arnie. “It’s one and a half miles Landowners can donate land wanted to leave some of the of lake front land along Last directly to these conservation land undeveloped as it was Mountain Lake, and it’s a organisations and receive a tax when my grandfather came beautiful area with plenty of receipt for a charitable donation. here. If I left the land wildlife.” Alternatively, landowners may unprotected it would eventually After careful consideration, wish to sell a parcel of their land be subdivided and developed.” Arnie and Emily decided to to a conservation agency. It has taken Colvin some time, donate their land to the over 10 years, to figure out Saskatchewan Wetland the best way to conserve Conservation Corporation this half section. George (SWCC). It took some time to heard about the Nature get the donation arrangements Conservancy of Canada in place. They had discussions (NCC) and the role it was with their accountant and playing in conserving lawyer. SWCC arranged to have natural areas in Canada. the land appraised. The deal He liked the fact that the was finalized in 1997, and NCC is an independent SWCC now has title to the land. conservation organisation. Arnie and Emily received He decided to donate his charitable tax receipts for the half section to the Nature value of their land. Conservancy of Canada. “I’m happy that the land will be “I’ve given them the land protected into the future,” says title,” George says. “One of Arnie. “It will be nice to have the conditions of the some undeveloped areas along donation is that I have Last Mountain Lake for wildlife retained a life interest in and people to enjoy for years to 33 the land. The Nature come.” NATIVE PRAIRIE STEWARDSHIP

We hope that this guide has been of assistance in your efforts to care for your prairie. Photo courtesy of Prairie Rehabilitationarm Adminstration Our native prairie is a heritage worth conserving for the future. The stewardship of native prairie on privately-owned land is the foundation of prairie conservation in this province. Management and long- term planning can help ensure that native prairie exists in Saskatchewan for generations to come.

34 NATIVE PRAIRIE STEWARDSHIP

Grilz, P. L., J. T. Romo. 1995. Management Considerations BIBLIOGRAPHY for Controlling Smooth Brome in escue Prairie. Native Areas Journal, Volume 15 (2), 1995. Abouguendia, Z. 1990. Range Plan Development. Grazing and Pasture Technology Program, Saskatchewan Agriculture Harrington, S., D. Aberley, M. Dunn, M. Penn. 1994. Giving and "ood. the Land a Voice: Mapping Our Home Places. Southern Gulf Islands Bioregional Project, Salt Spring Island Community Abouguendia, Z. 1995. Seeded Native Range Plants. Grazing Services, British Columbia. and Pasture Technology Program and Saskatchewan Agriculture and "ood Extension Service Hewlett, J. P. 1995. Western Integrated Ranch/arm Education Workbook. Department of Agricultural Economics, Agriculture Canada. 1987. Budd’s lora of the Canadian University of Wyoming. Prairie Provinces. Revised by J. Looman and K.". Best. Ottawa, Ontario: Minister of Supply and Services Canada. Higgins, Kenneth. 1986. Interpretation and Compendium of Historical ire Accounts in the Northern Great Plains. Alberta Agriculture. 1981. orage Manual. Alberta Agriculture Washington, D.C.: United States Department of the Interior, "ish and Agriculture and Agri-"ood Canada. and Wildlife Service, Resource Publication 161.

Alberta Agriculture. 1995. Beef Herd Management, Joyce, J. 1990. Prairie Grasslands Guidebook: A Reference Binder and Study Guide. Alberta Agriculture. Management Manual. Manitoba Natural Resources Public Information Unit. Alberta Environmental Centre and Alberta Agriculture. 1988. Weeds of the Prairies. Joyce, J. 1993. Native Plants: Exploring Grass Seed Production and Markets. Ducks Unlimited Canada, Agriculture Bowes, G. 1994. Western snowberry control. Agriculture and Prairie "arm Rehabilitation Administration. and Agri-"ood Canada, Saskatoon Research Centre. Keystone Agricultural Producers. 1996. Manitoba arm Bowes, G. 1995. Bark scrape to manage aspen, summary Planner: Charting a Course for Your arm. Manitoba of progress to 1995. Agriculture and Agri-"ood Canada, Agriculture, Prairie "arm Rehabilitation Administration, Manitoba Saskatoon Research Centre. Habitat Heritage Corporation, Manitoba Conservation Districts.

Bowes, G. 1995. Wiper applied herbicides to manage brush, Looman, J. and Agriculture Canada. 1982. Prairie Grasses. summary of progress to 1995. Agriculture and Agri-"ood Ottawa, Ontario: Minister of Supply and Services Canada. Canada, Saskatoon Research Centre. Lyseng, R. 1993. Native Prairie Plants. Ducks Unlimited Bowes, G. 1996. The best time to control aspen and balsam Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba. suckers. Agriculture and Agri-"ood Canada, Saskatoon Research Centre. McCartney, D. H., P. R. Horton. 1997. Canada’s orage Resources. Agriculture and Agri-"ood Canada, Lacombe Bowes, G. 1996. Grassland condition after brush control, Research Centre, Lacombe, Alberta. summary of progress to 1996. Agriculture and Agri-"ood Canada, Saskatoon Research Centre. Morgan, J. P., D. R. Collicutt and J. D. Thompson. 1995. Restoring Canada’s Native Prairies. Prairie Habitats Inc., Canada-Alberta Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture Argyle, Manitoba Agreement. (n.d.) Caring for the Green Zone: Riparian Areas and Grazing Management. Alberta Agriculture. Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan. Recommendations for the Collection and Use of Native Plants (brochure). Ducks Unlimited Canada. 1995. Revegetating with Native Grasses. Nernberg, D. 1995. Native Species Mixtures for Restoration in the Prairie and Parkland Ecoregions of Saskatchewan. Gayton, D. 1990. The Wheatgrass Mechanism. "ifth House Mixed-grass Prairie Habitat Restoration Project, Canadian Publishers, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Wildlife Service, Environment Canada, Wildlife Habitat Canada.

Grazing and Pasture Technology Program. (n.d.) Grazing Noss, Reed and Allan Cooperider. 1994. Saving Nature’s Systems for Rangeland of Southern Saskatchewan. Legacy. Covelo, California: Island Press. Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association and Grazing and Pasture Technology Program, Regina, Saskatchewan. Ontario "arm Environmental Coalition. 1994. Ontario Environmental arm Plan. Ontario "ederation of Agriculture. 35 NATIVE PRAIRIE STEWARDSHIP

Peat, H., G. Bowes. 1994. Management of Pasture Sage. Saskatchewan Agriculture and "ood, "arm "acts.

Penn, B. 1996. Stewardship options for private landowners in British Columbia. British Columbia Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks.

Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute. 1996. A Stockman’s Guide to Range Livestock Watering from Surface Waters. Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute, Saskatchewan Agriculture and "ood.

Pyle, Wilf, editor. (n.d.) Managing Saskatchewan Rangeland. Saskatchewan Agriculture Development "und.

Regina Prairie Garden Project. 1996. Growing a Native Prairie Garden. The Regina Prairie Garden Project, Regina, Saskatchewan.

Rempel, K. 1997. Prairie Grasslands. Beef Information Centre, Saskatchewan Agriculture Green Plan.

Saskatchewan Assessment Management Agency. 1997. 1997 Agricultural Land Valuation. Assessment 97, "act Sheet #4.

Saskatchewan Wheat Pool. The arm Environmental Assessment Guide. Regina, Saskatchewan.

Savory, A. 1988. Holistic Resource Management. Island Press, Covelo, California.

Solutions 2000+ Management Consultants. 1997. Market Assessment of Native Plant Materials in Saskatchewan: A Summary. Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan.

Trottier, G. C. 1992. Conservation of Canadian Prairie Grasslands: A Landowner’s Guide. Minister of Supply and Services Canada, Ottawa, Ontario.

Vance, ".R., J.R. Jowsey, J.S. McLean and ".A. Switzer. 1999. Wildflowers Across the Prairies. Vancouver/Toronto: Douglas and McIntyre.

Western Resource Management Associates Ltd. Riparian Areas: An Undervalued Saskatchewan Resource. Saskatchewan Soil Conservation Association, Agriculture and Agri-"ood Canada Prairie "arm Rehabilitation Administration.

36 NATIVE PRAIRIE STEWARDSHIP

If the remnant native prairie is located on land which has soil Appendix A - Assessing native limitations due to excessive stoniness, topography, high salinity, remnants and conservation poor soil texture or wet conditions, it will probably be assessed in the non-arable tax class, and will receive a lower rating. easements Consequently taxes will be lower. How can your assessment be appealed? Native prairie, along with all other Saskatchewan land, is assessed by the Saskatchewan Assessment Management If landowners are not satisfied with the assessment rating given Agency (SAMA). SAMA is responsible for the management of for a parcel of native prairie, they can appeal the rating with assessment policy in Saskatchewan. Land assessment in their local municipality. Perhaps the parcel of native prairie is Saskatchewan has undergone extensive updating recently with rated arable, whereas the landowner feels it should be rated the introduction of SAMA’s 1997 Assessment Valuation System. non-arable. Landowners have a 30 day period after assessment notices are mailed out each year that they can Agriculture land is valued on the basis of productivity, and is appeal their assessment. Assessment notices are normally related to the average selling prices as of June 30, 1994. "or mailed out to landowners in the summer by their local land suitable for crop production, productivity is based on long municipality. Landowners must submit evidence that the term wheat yield data. "or pasture land, productivity is based assessment made on their land was done in error. Appeals on its potential carrying capacity of the land. Assessment come before a local board of revision established by the local adjustments are made to reflect local economic circumstances. municipality, and if the landowner is not happy with the The general formula for cultivated land is : outcome, the appeal can be taken to a regional board. cultivated land assessment = productive capacity x cost of How do conservation easements affect the production adjustments x economic adjustments assessment of the land? Pasture land is more difficult to assess than crop land. If a conservation easement is placed on the land title, stating Assessors must determine the condition of the pasture by that the land is to remain in native prairie for the long term, the rating the land in respect to over grazing, carrying capacity, landowner may have a case for the Board of Revision that the available water, fencing recreational use, location, sales of land should be rated in the non-arable tax class. More similar land and other factors. information should be obtained from your local Saskatchewan The general formula for pasture land is: Assessment Management Agency office to determine the pasture land assessment = productive capacity x economic assessment implications of conservation easements. adjustments More information is available from the SAMA office nearest you: Productive capacity is determined by potential carrying Melfort 1-800-216-4427 capacity, using methods developed by Saskatchewan Research Council. Carrying capacity is the ability to graze without North Battleford 1-800-824-2570 degrading the long-term potential of the pasture. It is measured Regina 1-800-498-0578 in animal unit months (AUM), which is a 1000 pound cow with or without a calf grazing on a pasture for one month. Carrying Saskatoon 1-800-667-5203 capacity is dependent on range site characteristics, such as the Swift Current 1-800-498-0574 amount of native vs. seeded grass, the amount of tree cover and the depth to water table. Weyburn 1-800-498-0575 The assessment value of the land is then multiplied by a Yorkton 1-800-498-0576 percentage of the value established by the provincial government to get the taxable assessment. Range land is valued at 50%, other agricultural land is valued at 70%, and commercial land is 100%. The taxable assessment is then multiplied by the local municipal mill rate to determine the property taxes. Native prairie is assessed like all other land in Saskatchewan, according to its highest and best use within the agricultural land category. The land may have potential to be used for grain production, beef ranching, resort development, recreational property or as an acreage. This may not be in the best interest of native prairie, especially if it is on soils that are suited for annual crop production, such as clays or loams or in an area which is highly desired for development. In many cases, remnant native prairie may be assessed as “native arable” (as arable crop land), and consequently annual taxes will be higher. 37 NATIVE PRAIRIE STEWARDSHIP

Appendix B - Conservation Appendix C - Agencies and agencies who may hold easements associations with information on

Some agencies which may hold conservation easements: native prairie conservation and Phone ax restoration Ducks Unlimited Canada 306-569-0424 306-565-3699 Conservation of native prairie Meewasin Valley Authority Agriculture and Agri-ood Canada, Brandon Research Centre, 306-665-6887 306-665-6117 Box 1000A, R.R. #3, Brandon, Manitoba, R7A 5Y3, (204) 726-7650, fax (204) 728-3858, Nature Saskatchewan 306-780-9273 306-780-9263 Mandate: Centre of Excellence for land resource management in western Canada Rocky Mountain Elk "oundation Contact: Dr. Reg Kucey, Director 306-691-2854 306-691-2856 Internet: http://res.agr.ca/brandon/brc/welcome.htm Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management 306-787-2314 306-787-9544 Agriculture and Agri-ood Canada, Lacombe Research Centre, 6000 C & E Trail, Lacombe, Alberta, T4L 1W1, Saskatchewan Parks and Recreational Association (403) 782-8100, fax (403) 782-6120 306-780-9262 306-780-9257 Mandate: the centre manages breeding programs and improves Saskatchewan Wetland Conservation Corporation crop-production systems for use in the agri-food industries of 306-787-0726 306-787-0780 the western parkland and northwestern Canada. Saskatchewan Wildlife "ederation Contact: Dr. Perry Lidster, Director, (403) 782-8100 306-692-8812 306-692-4370 Internet: http://res.agr.ca/lacombe/welcome.htm Wakamow Valley Authority Publications: 306-692-2717 306-692-8188 Canada’s "orage Resources Wascana Centre Authority 306-522-3661 306-565-2742 Agriculture and Agri-ood Canada, Prairie arm Rehabilitation Administration (PRA), 1800 Hamilton Street, Nature Conservancy of Canada Regina, Saskatchewan, S4P 4L2, (306) 780-5110, fax (306) 306-787-6987 306-787-0780 780-5018 Trans-Canada Trail "oundation Mandate: To work with Prairie people to build a viable 306-780-9262 306-525-2283 agricultural industry and to support a sound rural economy, healthy environment and a high quality of life. Contact: Communications Division, (306) 780-7385 Internet: http://www.agr.ca/pfra/ Agriculture and Agri-ood Canada, Semiarid Prairie Agricultural Research Centre, Box 1030, Airport Road, Swift Current, Saskatchewan, S9H 3X2, (306) 778-7200, fax (306) 773-9123 Mandate: to conduct research and development in the following areas: land resource conservation, cereals, forages and field crops. Its focus is on the Brown soil zone and the drier areas of the Dark Brown soil zone in southwestern Saskatchewan and southeastern Alberta. Contact: Dr. Wayne Lindwall, Director, (306) 778-7200 Internet: http://res.agr.ca/swift/welcome.htm Library open to the public

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Environment Canada, Inquiry Centre, 351 St. Joseph Protecting an Ecosystem, Native Prairie Stewardship Program Boulevard, Hull, Quebec, K1A 0H3, 1-800-668-6767, fax 819- factsheet, 1996 953-2225 Land Programs, Saskatchewan Soil, Water and Wildlife Habitat Mandate: to help Canadians live and prosper in an environment Conservation Directory and Referral Book. that is properly protected and conserved. Internet: http://www.mb.ec.gc.ca/ University of Saskatchewan, Department of Crop and Horticultural Science and Plant Ecology, Room 4D36, Publications: Agriculture Building, 51 Campus Drive, University of Conservation of Canadian Prairie Grasslands, A Landowner’s Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 5A8, Guide, 1992. (306) 966-4944, fax (306) 966-5015 Mandate: a centre for research on applied plant science related Meewasin Valley Authority, 402 Third Avenue South, to crop development, production and management and plant Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7K 3G5, (306) 665- 6887 ecology in the Canadian prairies. fax (306) 665-6117 Internet: http://www.usask.ca/agriculture/cropsci/ Mandate: to protect the natural and cultural heritage resources of the South Saskatchewan River Valley in Saskatoon, Archeological resources on native prairie Saskatchewan and area. Saskatchewan Archeological Society, #5 - 816 1st Avenue Contact: Luc Delanoy, Conservation and "acilities Officer N., Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7K 1Y3, (306) 664-4124 Internet: http://www.lights.com/meewasin/index.html fax (306) 665-1928 Northern Prairie Science Center, 8711 37th Street Southeast, Contact: Tim Jones Jamestown, North Dakota, 5841, (701) 253-5500, Saskatchewan History and olklore Society, 1860 Lorne fax (701)-253-5553 Street, Regina, Saskatchewan S4P 2L7, (306) 780-9204, Mandate: to develop research information on the quantitative fax (306) 780-9489 ecological requirements for sustainable wildlife populations, to Mandate: to gather, preserve and share the human history and design and conduct studies of numbers and distribution of flora rich folklore of Saskatchewan. and fauna including identification of change resulting from habitat loss and modification, and to disseminate the latest in Internet: technical information and research findings such that interested http://www.sasknet.com/~SCCO/scii/members/shfs.html audiences benefit to the maximum extent possible. Native prairie plants Internet: http://www.npsc.nbs.gov/ Agriculture and Agri-ood Canada, Saskatoon Research Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management, Centre, 107 Science Place, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 3211 Albert Street, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4S 5W6, 0X2, (306) 787-2314, fax (306) 787-9544 (306) 956-7200, fax: (306) 956-7247 Mandate: to manage, enhance and protect Saskatchewan’s Mandate: includes crop production and pest control practices natural and environmental resources - fish, wildlife, lands, for the parkland region, conservation, documentation and forests, parks, air and water - for conservation, recreation, distribution of diverse germplasm by Plant Gene Resources of social and economic purposes and to ensure they are sustained Canada for future generations. Contact: Dr. Ashley O’Sullivan, Director, (306) 956-7200 Internet: http://www.gov.sk.ca/serm/ENVIRON.HTM Internet: http://res.agr.ca/sask/mainpage.html Saskatchewan Wetland Conservation Corporation, Room 101- Alberta Agriculture, ood and Rural Development, 7000-113 2022 Cornwall Street, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4P 2K5, St., Edmonton, Alberta, T6H 5T6, (800) 292-5697, (306) 787-0726, fax (306) 787-0780 fax (403) 422-8835 Mandate: To lead and co-ordinate the province’s wetland Mandate: To enable the growth of a globally competitive, conservation initiatives to ensure the sustainability and sustainable agriculture and food industry in Alberta through biodiversity of the prairie environment for people and wildlife. essential policy, legislation, information and services. Contact: Lesley Hall, Native Prairie Stewardship Program Internet: http://www.agric.gov.ab.ca Internet: http://www.wetland.sk.ca Publications: Publications: Alberta Range Plants and Their Classification, 1986, A Question of Value, Native Prairie Stewardship Program #"S134/06 factsheet,1996 Poisonous Plants on Range and Pasture, 1991, #"S130/666-1 A Cultural Landscape, Native Prairie Stewardship Program A Guide to Using Native Plants on Disturbed Lands factsheet,1996 Native Prairie Stewardship Program, brochure,1996 39 NATIVE PRAIRIE STEWARDSHIP

Ducks Unlimited Canada, Box 4465, 1606 4th Avenue, Regina, Contact: Lesley Hall, Native Prairie Stewardship Program Saskatchewan, S4P 3W7, (306) 569-0424, Internet: http://www.wetland.sk.ca fax (306) 565-3699 Publications: Mandate: to conserve wetlands and associated habitats for the benefit of North America’s waterfowl, which in turn provide Plants with a Sense of Community, Native Prairie Stewardship healthy environments for wildlife and people. Program factsheet,1996 Contact: Lee Moats, Prairie Care Program Society for Range Management, 1839 York Street, Denver, Internet: http://www.ducks.ca Colorado 80206, (303)355-7070, fax (303) 355-5059 Publications: Mandate: a professional partnership in the scientific study, protection and management of all rangeland resources. Native Prairie Plants, 1993. Internet: http://www.srm.org Revegetating with Native Grasses, 1995. Wet and Wild "orages, 1989. Publications: Rangeland Plant Physiology, book Mixed Grass Prairie Habitat Restoration project, Box 280, Wildland Plants: Physiological, Ecology and Developmental Simpson, Saskatchewan, S0G 4M0, (306) 836-2022 Morphology, book fax (306) 836-2010 Mandate: to implement wildlife habitat conservation objectives of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan within the Restoration of native prairie Prairie Habitat Joint Venture region. Environment Canada, Canadian Wildlife Service, Prairie and Contact: Dean Nernberg Northern Wildlife Research Centre, 115 Perimeter Road, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 0X4, (306) 975-4087, Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan, c/o Andy fax (306) 975-4089, Hanmmermeister, P.O. Box 21099, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7H 5N9, (306) 668-3940, fax (306) 373-4462 Mandate: The Canadian Wildlife Service handles wildlife matters that are the responsibility of the federal government, Mandate: to increase understanding and conservation of native including protection and management of migratory birds, plants through facilitation, communication, research and nationally significant habitat and endangered species, as well as education among interested organizations and with the public work on other wildlife issues of national and international Contact: Andy Hammermeister, Co-ordinator importance. E-mail: [email protected] internet http://www.ec.gc.ca/cws-scf/cwshome_e.html Internet: http://www.npss.sk.ca Publications: Publications: Native Species Mixtures for Restoration in the Prairie and Native Plant News Parkland Ecoregions of Saskatchewan, 1995 Recommendations for the Collection and Use of Native Plants Prairie Habitats Inc., Box 1, Argyle, Manitoba, R0C 0B0, Your Expert Choice, A Native Plant Material Directory (204) 467-9371, fax (204) 467-5004, Mandate: conserving biological diversity by encouraging the Saskatchewan Grazing and Pasture Technology Program, 2nd use of locally collected seed in ecological restoration. "loor, Canada Centre West Building, Exhibition Grounds, Box 4752, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4P 3Y4, (306) 757-9499, Internet: http:\\www.prairiehabitats.com fax (306) 569-8799 Publications: Mandate: to extend grazing and pasture technology to Restoring Canada’s Native Prairies, A Practical Manual, 1995 Saskatchewan producers. Publications: Royal Saskatchewan Museum, College Avenue and Albert Street, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4P 3V7, (306) 787- 2815, "ield Guide, Identification of Common Range Plants of Northern fax (306) 787-2820 Saskatchewan, 1994. "ield Guide, Identification of Common Range Plants of Southern Publications: Saskatchewan Growing a Native Prairie Garden, Regina Prairie Garden Project, Seeded Native Range Plants, 1995 1997. Saskatchewan Wetland Conservation Corporation, Room 101- University of Wisconsin Press, 2537 Daniels Street, Madison, 2022 Cornwall Street, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4P 2K5, Wisconsin, 53718, (608) 224-3880, fax (800) 258-3632 (306) 787-0726, fax (306) 787-0780 Contact: Journal Division Mandate: To lead and co-ordinate the province’s wetland Publications: conservation initiatives to ensure the sustainability and Restoration and Management Notes 40 biodiversity of the prairie environment for people and wildlife. NATIVE PRAIRIE STEWARDSHIP

Wildlife Saskatchewan Wetland Conservation Corporation, Room 101- 2022 Cornwall Street, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4P 2K5, Agriculture and Agri-ood Canada PRA Shelterbelt Centre, (306) 787-0726, fax (306) 787-0780 Box 940, Indian Head, Saskatchewan, S0G 2K0, Mandate: To lead and co-ordinate the province’s wetland (306) 695-2284, fax (306) 695-2568 conservation initiatives to ensure the sustainability and Mandate: a federal tree nursery that promotes economic biodiversity of the prairie environment for people and wildlife. security, rural development and agricultural sustainability by Contact: Lesley Hall, Native Prairie Stewardship Program producing hardy trees and shrubs for prairie farmers and other eligible clients. Internet: http://www.wetland.sk.ca Contact: Dr. Gordon Howe, Director Publications: Internet: http://www.agr.ca/pfra/shbgene.htm Songbirds of Saskatchewan, 1997 Publications: Your Wildlife Neighbours, Native Prairie Stewardship Program factsheet,1996 Combat wildlife damage with common sense control methods. Deer attractants. Saskatchewan Wildlife ederation, 444 River Street West, Designing tree plantings for wildlife. Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, S6H 6J6, (306) 692-8812, fax (306) 692-4370 Planting Trees for Wildlife Mandate: to preserve habitat for all species of fish and wildlife Protecting trees from animal damage. Internet: http://www.wbm.ca/wilderness/swf/ Tree and shrubs for wildlife habitat plantings Society for Range Management, 1839 York Street, Denver, Environment Canada, Inquiry Centre, 351 St. Joseph Colorado 80206, (303)355-7070, fax (303) 355-5059 Boulevard, Hull, Quebec, K1A 0H3, 1-800-668-6767, fax 819- 953-2225 Mandate: a professional partnership in the scientific study, protection and management of all rangeland resources. Mandate: to help Canadians live and prosper in an environment that is properly protected and conserved. Internet: http://www.srm.org Internet: http://www.mb.ec.gc.ca/ Publications: Publications: Rangeland Wildlife, book Wildlife Habitat: A Handbook for Canada’s Prairies & Parklands Rangeland Entomology, book Prairie Raptors: A Landowner’s Guide Wildlife Habitat Canada, 7 Hinton Avenue North, Suite 200, Ottawa, Ontario, K1Y 4P1, (613) 722-2090, National ish and Wildlife oundation, 1120 Connecticut Ave., fax (613) 722-3318 NW Suite 900, Washington, DC 20036, (202) 857-0166, fax (202) 857-0162 Mandate: a national non-profit organization dedicated to working with private citizens, governments, non-government Mandate: a nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation organizations, and industry to conserve the great variety of of natural resources — fish, wildlife, and plants. Among its wildlife habitats across Canada. goals are species habitat protection, environmental education, public policy development, natural resource management, Internet: http://www.ec.gc.ca/ecs/biodiv/whabres.html habitat and ecosystem rehabilitation and restoration, and leadership training for conservation professionals Setting goals and making plans Internet: http://www.nfwf.org/ Agriculture and Agri-ood Canada PRA Shelterbelt Centre, Nature Saskatchewan, Room 206, 1860 Lorne Street, Regina, Box 940, Indian Head, Saskatchewan, S0G 2K0, Saskatchewan, S4P 2L7, (800) 667-4668, (306) 780-9273, (306) 695-2284, fax (306) 695-2568 fax (306) 780-9263 Mandate: a federal tree nursery that promotes economic Mandate: to promote the appreciation and understanding of our security, rural development and agricultural sustainability by natural environment through education, conservation and producing hardy trees and shrubs for prairie farmers and other research. eligible clients. Contact: [email protected] Contact: Dr. Gordon Howe, Director Internet: http://www.unibase.com/~nature/ Internet: http://www.agr.ca/pfra/shbgene.htm Publications : Publications: Blue Jay Journal Planning field shelterbelts, 1996 Nature Views newsletter Planning farm shelterbelts, 1996 Audio and video loans Also sell many wildlife and conservation books through the Blue 41 Jay Bookshop. NATIVE PRAIRIE STEWARDSHIP

Saskatchewan Map and Aerial Photograph Distribution Sod-seeding forage to improve pasture, summary of progress Centre, Regina, Saskatchewan, (306) 787-2799 to 1994 Publications: Sod-seeding forage to improve pasture, summary of progress to 1995 Township aerial photographs The best time to control aspen and balsam suckers, 1996 Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association, Stone Road Western snowberry control, 1994 West, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, N1G 4Y2, (519) 826-4214, Wiper applied herbicides to manage brush, summary of fax (519) 826-4224 progress to 1994 Mandate: to promote the responsible economic management of Wiper applied herbicides to manage brush, summary of soil, water and crops. progress to 1995 Internet: http://res.agr.ca/lond/gp/efp/efpmenu.html Montana State University Extension Service, Department of Publications: Animal and Range Sciences, Room 221, Linfield Hall, Box Ontario Environmental "arm Plan, Ontario "arm Environmental 172900, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, 59717- Coalition, 1994 2900, (406) 994-3415, fax (406) 994-5589 Saskatchewan Grazing and Pasture Technology Program, 2nd Internet: http://animalrangeextension.montana.edu/ "loor, Canada Centre West Building, Exhibition Grounds, Box Publications: 4752, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4P 3Y4, (306) 757-9499, Leafy Spurge, Biology, Ecology and Management, 1995 fax (306) 569-8799 Mandate: to extend grazing and pasture technology to Saskatchewan Agriculture and ood, Communications Branch, Saskatchewan producers. B5-3085 Albert Street, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4S 0B1, (306) 787-5157, fax (306) 787-0216 Publications: Mandate: to promote the growth of an agriculture and food Range Plan Development, A Practical Guide to Planning for sector in Saskatchewan that embraces change to meet the Management and Improvement of Saskatchewan Rangeland, challenges and opportunities of global competition. 1990 Internet: http://www.agr.gov.sk.ca/saf/ Saskatchewan Wheat Pool, 2625 Victoria, Avenue, Regina, Publications: Saskatchewan, S4T 7T9, (306) 569-4220 fax (306) 569-5077 "oxtail Barley in "orage and Pasture Mandate: to be the most dynamic agri-business co-operative in the world Management of Pasture Sage, Peat, H., G. Bowes, 1994. Internet: http://www.swp.com University of Saskatchewan, Department of Horticultural Publications: Science and Plant Ecology, Room 4D36, Agriculture Building, 51 Campus Drive, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, The "arm Environmental Assessment Guide. Saskatchewan, S7N 5A8, (306) 966-4944, fax (306) 966-5015 Mandate: a centre for research on applied plant science related Controlling exotic and problem vegetation to crop development, production and management and plant Agriculture and Agri-ood Canada, Saskatoon Research ecology in the Canadian prairies. Centre, 107 Science Place, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N Internet: http://www.usask.ca/agriculture/cropsci/ 0X2, (306) 956-7200, fax: (306) 956-7247 Prescribed burning Mandate: includes crop production and pest control practices for the parkland region, conservation, documentation and University of Saskatchewan, Department of Horticultural distribution of diverse germplasm by Plant Gene Resources of Science and Plant Ecology, Room 4D36, Agriculture Building, Canada 51 Campus Drive, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 5A8, (306) 966-4944, fax (306) 966-5015 Contact: Dr. Ashley O’Sullivan, Director, (306) 956-7200 Mandate: a centre for research on applied plant science related Internet: http://res.agr.ca/sask/mainpage.html to crop development, production and management and plant Publications: ecology in the Canadian prairies. Bark scrape to manage aspen, summary of progress to 1994 Internet: http://www.usask.ca/agriculture/cropsci/ Bark scrape to manage aspen, summary of progress to 1995 Control of aspen in fencelines, 1996 Grassland condition after brush control, summary of progress to 1996 42 Management of Pasture Sage: Controlled Grazing or Herbicide? 1994 NATIVE PRAIRIE STEWARDSHIP

Ducks Unlimited Canada, Box 4465, 1606 4th Avenue, Regina, Agriculture and Agri-ood Canada, Brandon Research Centre, Saskatchewan, S4P 3W7, (306) 569-0424, Box 1000A, R.R. #3, Brandon, Manitoba, R7A 5Y3, fax (306) 565-3699 (204) 726-7650, fax (204) 728-3858, Mandate: to conserve wetlands and associated habitats for the Mandate: Centre of Excellence for land resource management in benefit of North America’s waterfowl, which in turn provide western Canada healthy environments for wildlife and people. Contact: Dr. Paul McCaughey, Researcher in Beef Pasture Contact: Lee Moats, Prairie Care Program Management Internet: http://www.ducks.ca Internet: http://res.agr.ca/brandon/brc/welcome.htm The following publications contain information on the use of Agriculture and Agri-ood Canada, Prairie arm fire in prairie areas: Rehabilitation Administration (PRA), 1800 Hamilton Street, Conservation of Canadian Prairie Grasslands (1992). Garry Regina, Saskatchewan, S4P 4L2, (306) 780-5110, fax (306) Trottier. Ottawa, Ontario: Minister of Supply and Services 780-5018 Canada. (Copies may be obtained from SWCC, #202-2050 Mandate: To work with Prairie people to build a viable Cornwall St., Regina, SK, S4P 2K5, phone: (306) 787-0726) agricultural industry and to support a sound rural economy, healthy environment and a high quality of life. How to Manage Small Prairie ires (1988). W.R. Pauly. Madison, Wisconsin: Dade County Parks Commission. (Copies Contact: Communications Division, (306) 780-7385 may be obtained from Dade County Parks Commission, 4318 Internet: http://www.agr.ca/pfra/ Robertson Road, Madison, WI, 53714). Publications: Restoring Canada’s Native Prairies (1995). John P. Morgan, "orage management, production and maintenance, 1991 Douglas R. Collicutt, and Jaqueline D. Thompson. Argyle, Manitoba: Prairie Habitats. (Copies may be obtained from the "orage establishment, getting it to grow, 1991 Manitoba Naturalists Society, 401-63 Albert St., Winnipeg, MB, "orage selection, choosing the right forage, 1991 R3B 1G4, phone: (204) 943-9029). Alberta Agriculture, ood and Rural Development, 7000-113 Prescribed Burning Guidelines in the Northern Great Plains St., Edmonton, Alberta, T6H 5T6, (800) 292-5697, (1989). Higgins, Kenneth, Arnold Kruse, and James Piehl. fax (403) 422-8835 Brookings, South Dakota: South Dakota Cooperative "ish and Mandate: To enable the growth of a globally competitive, Wildlife Research Unit, South Dakota State University, United sustainable agriculture and food industry in Alberta through States Department of Agriculture Cooperative Publication essential policy, legislation, information and services. EC760. (Copies available from South Dakota Cooperative "ish and Wildlife Research Unit, Box 2206, Brookings, SD, 57007). Internet: http://www.agric.gov.ab.ca Publications: Livestock and grazing management Alberta Range Plants and Their Classification, 1986, #"S134/06 Agriculture and Agri-ood Canada, Departmental Publications Service, Corporate Services Branch, Agriculture and Agri-"ood Grazing Tame Pastures Effectively, 1984, #"S130/53-1 Canada, Ottawa, K1A 0C5, (613) 759-6610/6626, Grazing Systems for Alberta Ranges, 1979, #"S134/14 fax (613) 759-6726 Managing Yearlings on Pasture, Revised 1989, "S420/10-3 Mandate: the development, adaptation and competitiveness of Native Range "ertilizer Guide, 1988, #"S130/541 the agriculture and agri-food sector generally Poisonous Plants on Range and Pasture, 1991, #"S130/666-1 Internet: http://www.agr.ca/ Range and Pasture Management When Dealing with Drought, Publications: 1989, #"S130/14-1 Reed canarygrass: A production guide, #0805/E Systematic Beef Herd Management, 1987, #"S420/10-4 Alsike clover, #1264/E Understanding the Animal Unit Month (AUM), 1987, Sainfoin for western Canada, #1470/E #"S420/16-1 Cicer milkvetch for western Canada, #1536/E Winter Cereals for Pasture, #1993, "S133/20-1 Management of prairie rangeland, #1589/E Publications for Sale: Growing Russian wild ryegrass, #1607/E A Guide to Using Native Plants on Disturbed Lands Sweetclover production in western Canada, #1613/E Alberta "orage Manual Red clover, #1614/E Beef Cow-Calf Manual Growing and managing alfalfa in Canada, #1705/E Beef Herd Management, Reference Binder and Study Guide, Irrigated pastures in western Canada, #1862/E 1995 Meadow bromegrass, #1889/E Caring for the Green Zone, Riparian Areas and Grazing Management, Canada-Alberta Environmentally Corrals "or 43 NATIVE PRAIRIE STEWARDSHIP

Handling Beef Cattle Rangelands, newsletter "encing with Electricity Specifications for Structural Range Improvements, book Horse Handling "acilities Toxicological Hazards of Oilfield Pollutants to Cattle Water, wetlands and riparian management Montana State University Extension Service, Department of Agriculture and Agri-ood Canada, Prairie arm Animal and Range Sciences, Room 221, Linfield Hall, Box Rehabilitation Administration (PRA), 1800 Hamilton Street, 172900, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, 59717- Regina, Saskatchewan, S4P 4L2, (306) 780-5110, fax (306) 2900, (406) 994-3415, fax (406) 994-5589 780-5018 Internet: http://animalrangeextension.montana.edu/ Mandate: To work with Prairie people to build a viable agricultural industry and to support a sound rural economy, Publications: healthy environment and a high quality of life. Can I Monitor My Range Effectively and Quickly? Contact: Communications Division, (306) 780-7385 Do Some Cows Prefer to Graze Uplands Rather Than Riparian Internet: http://www.agr.ca/pfra/ Areas? Publications: Saskatchewan Agriculture and ood, Communications Branch, A consumer’s guide to wind-powered water pumping units, B5-3085 Albert Street, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4S 0B1, 1994 (306) 787-5157, fax (306) 787-0216 Backflood Irrigation, 1989 Mandate: to promote the growth of an agriculture and food Backflood Irrigation, factsheet sector in Saskatchewan that embraces change to meet the challenges and opportunities of global competition. Dugout Site Testing, factsheet Internet: http://www.agr.gov.sk.ca/saf/ Dugout Water Quality, factsheet Landscaping Prairie Style Publications: Prairie Water News, newsletter Annual Ryegrass Production in Saskatchewan Spring Development, factsheet Dahurian Wildrye Water Conservation Grazing Mixedwood "orests in Saskatchewan Water for Tomorrow Initial Stocking Rate Recommendations for Seeded "orages in Saskatchewan Water..Nature’s most precious gift Managing Saskatchewan Rangeland, Pyle, W., W. Johnson, D. Alberta Agriculture, ood and Rural Development, 7000-113 "raser. St., Edmonton, Alberta, T6H 5T6, (800) 292-5697, Prairie Grasslands, Rempel, K., Agriculture Awareness Series fax (403) 422-8835 Russian Wildrye for Pasture Mandate: To enable the growth of a globally competitive, Saskatchewan "orage Crop Production Guide 1997 sustainable agriculture and food industry in Alberta through essential policy, legislation, information and services. Winter Swath Grazing Internet: http://www.agric.gov.ab.ca Saskatchewan Grazing and Pasture Technology Program, 2nd Publications: "loor, Canada Centre West Building, Exhibition Grounds, Box 4752, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4P 3Y4, (306) 757-9499, Pasture Water Systems, 1994, #"S400/716-3 fax (306) 569-8799 Water Requirements for Livestock, 1995, #"S400/716-1 Mandate: to extend grazing and pasture technology to Caring for the Green Zone, Riparian Areas and Grazing Saskatchewan producers. Management Publications: isheries and Oceans Canada, 200 Kent Street, Ottawa, Grazing Systems for Rangeland of Southern Saskatchewan Ontario, K1A 0E6, (613) 993-0999, fax (613) 996-9055 Grazing Steers vs. Annual Cropping Mandate: includes managing Canada’s oceans and major waterways so that they are clean, safe, productive and Society for Range Management, 1839 York Street, Denver, accessible and to ensure sustainable use of fisheries resources Colorado 80206, (303)355-7070, fax (303) 355-5059 Internet: http://www.ncr.dfo.ca/ Mandate: a professional partnership in the scientific study, protection and management of all rangeland resources. Publications: Internet: http://www.srm.org "ish Habitat in the Prairie Provinces. Protecting Your Shorelands. Publications: 44 Journal of Range Management, journal NATIVE PRAIRIE STEWARDSHIP

Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute (PAMI), Box 1150, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Box 4465, 1606 4th Avenue, Regina, Humboldt, Saskatchewan, S0K 2A0, (800) 567-7264, Saskatchewan, S4P 3W7, (306) 569-0424, (306) 682-5033fax (306) 682-5080 fax (306) 565-3699 Mandate: Mandate: to conserve wetlands and associated habitats for the benefit of North America’s waterfowl, which in turn provide Publications: healthy environments for wildlife and people. A Stockman’s Guide to Range Livestock Watering from Surface Contact: Lee Moats, Prairie Care Program Waters, 1996 Internet: http://www.ducks.ca Saskatchewan Soil Conservation Association, Box 1360, Publications: Indian Head, Saskatchewan, S0G 2K0, (306) 695-4234, fax (306) 695-4236 Native Plants, Exploring Grass Seed Production and Markets, 1993 Mandate: to promote conservation production systems that improve the land for future generations. Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan, c/o Andy Contact: Doug McKell, Executive Manager Hanmmermeister, P.O. Box 21099, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Internet: S7H 5N9, (306) 668-3940, fax (306) 373-4462 http://paridss.usask.ca/consgroups/ssca/sscahome.htm Mandate: to increase understanding and conservation of native plants through facilitation, communication, research and Publications: education among interested organizations and with the public Riparian Areas, An Undervalued Saskatchewan Resource Contact: Andy Hammermeister, Co-ordinator Saskatchewan Wetland Conservation Corporation, Room 101- E-mail: [email protected] 2022 Cornwall Street, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4P 2K5, Internet: http://www.npss.sk.ca (306) 787-0726, fax (306) 787-0780 Publications: Mandate: To lead and co-ordinate the province’s wetland conservation initiatives to ensure the sustainability and Market Assessment of Native Plant Materials in Saskatchewan: biodiversity of the prairie environment for people and wildlife. A Summary, 1997 Contact: Lesley Hall, Native Prairie Stewardship Program Saskatchewan Agriculture and ood, Communications Branch, Internet: http://www.wetland.sk.ca B5-3085 Albert Street, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4S 0B1, (306) 787-5157, fax (306) 787-0216 Publications: Mandate: to promote the growth of an agriculture and food Managing Prairie Wetlands, Native Prairie Stewardship Program sector in Saskatchewan that embraces change to meet the factsheet,1996 challenges and opportunities of global competition. Society for Range Management, 1839 York Street, Denver, Internet: http://www.agr.gov.sk.ca/saf/ Colorado 80206, (303)355-7070, fax (303) 355-5059 Publications: Mandate: a professional partnership in the scientific study, Production and Marketing of Native Grass Seed protection and management of all rangeland resources. Internet: http://www.srm.org Saskatchewan Wetland Conservation Corporation, Room 101- 2022 Cornwall Street, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4P 2K5, Publications: (306) 787-0726, fax (306) 787-0780 "acilities for Watering Livestock and Wildlife, book Mandate: To lead and co-ordinate the province’s wetland Income opportunities from your native prairie conservation initiatives to ensure the sustainability and biodiversity of the prairie environment for people and wildlife. Agriculture and Agri-ood Canada PRA Shelterbelt Centre, Contact: Lesley Hall, Native Prairie Stewardship Program Box 940, Indian Head, Saskatchewan, S0G 2K0, (306) 695- Internet: http://www.wetland.sk.ca 2284, fax (306) 695-2568 Mandate: a federal tree nursery that promotes economic Publications: security, rural development and agricultural sustainability by Harvesting and Marketing Native Seeds, Native Prairie producing hardy trees and shrubs for prairie farmers and other Stewardship Program factsheet,1996 eligible clients. Contact: Dr. Gordon Howe, Director Internet: http://www.agr.ca/pfra/shbgene.htm Publications: "ruit-bearing shrubs for multi-use shelterbelts & orchards Maple Syrup production on the prairies. 45 Wood-turning. NATIVE PRAIRIE STEWARDSHIP

Legal tools for conserving native prairie Appendix D - Saskatchewan Nature Conservancy of Canada, Room 101-2022 Cornwall Agriculture and 6ood Rural Street, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4P 2K5, (306) 787-6987, fax (306) 787-0780 Service Centres Mandate: preserving Canada’s biodiversity by protecting habitats through outright purchase, donations or conservation Rural Service Centres have publications available and audio agreements. visual materials for loan. Some of these materials pertain Contact: Gordon Ignatiuk directly to conservation of native prairie. Contact the Rural E-mail: [email protected] Service Centre nearest you for more information. Internet: http://www.natureconservancy.ca Internet reference: http://www.gov.sk.ca/govt/agfood/rsc’s.htm Saskatchewan Assessment Management Agency, 1600-1920 Assiniboia Rural Service Centre, 401 - 1st Avenue West, Box Broad Street, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4P 3V2, 250, Assiniboia, Saskatchewan, S0H 0B0, (306) 642-7225, (800) 667-7262, (306) 924-8000, fax (306) 924-8070 fax (306) 642-7229, email: [email protected] Mandate: responsible for the management of the assessment policy in Saskatchewan. Biggar Rural Service Centre, 201 - 2nd Avenue West, Box 609, Biggar, Saskatchewan, S0K 0M0, Publications: (306) 948-3577, fax (306) 948-3580, 1997 Agricultural Land Valuation, Assessment ‘97, "act Sheet email: [email protected] #4. Canora Rural Service Centre, 410 Main Street, Box 839, Saskatchewan Wetland Conservation Corporation, Room 101- Canora, Saskatchewan, S0A 0L0, (306) 563-5604, 2022 Cornwall Street, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4P 2K5, fax (306) 563-6195, email: [email protected] (306) 787-0726, fax (306) 787-0780 Mandate: To lead and co-ordinate the province’s wetland Carnduff Rural Service Centre, 1312 Railway Avenue, Box 339, conservation initiatives to ensure the sustainability and Carnduff, Saskatchewan, S0C 0S0, (306) 482-3432, biodiversity of the prairie environment for people and wildlife. fax (306) 482-3940, email: [email protected] Contact: Lesley Hall, Native Prairie Stewardship Program Davidson Rural Service Centre, 103 Lincoln Street, Box 693, Internet: http://www.wetland.sk.ca Davidson, Saskatchewan, S0G 1A0, (306) 567-2806, Publications: fax (306) 567-2082, email: [email protected] Benefitting through Conservation Easements, brochure, 1997. Estevan Rural Service Centre, 1106 - 6th Street, Estevan, Saskatchewan, S4A 1A8, (306) 637-4606, fax (306) 637-4609, email: [email protected]

Hudson Bay Rural Service Centre, Highway #3 West, Box 609, Hudson Bay, Saskatchewan, S0E 0Y0, (306) 865-2272, fax (306) 865-3888, email: [email protected]

Humboldt Rural Service Centre, 311 Main Street, Box 660, Humboldt, Saskatchewan, S0K 2A0, (306) 682-6700, fax (306) 682-4711, email: [email protected]

Indian Head Rural Service Centre, 719 Grand Avenue, Box 399, Indian Head, Saskatchewan, S0G 2K0, (306) 695-4250, fax (306) 695-4246, email: [email protected]

Kelvington Rural Service Centre, 201 - 1st Avenue West, Box 250, Kelvington, Saskatchewan, S0A 1W0, (306) 327-4718, fax (306) 327-5238, email: [email protected]

Kindersley Rural Service Centre, 125 - 1st Avenue East, Box 1690, Kindersley, Saskatchewan, S0L 1S0, (306) 463-5441, fax (306) 463-5469, Email: [email protected]

46 NATIVE PRAIRIE STEWARDSHIP

Lloydminster Rural Service Centre, 4827 - 44th Street, Tisdale Rural Service Centre, 1105 - 99th Street, Box 1480, Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, S9V 0G7, (306) 825-6470, Tisdale, Saskatchewan, S0E 1T0, (306) 878-8806, fax (306) 825-6479, email: [email protected] fax (306) 878-8810, email: [email protected]

Maple Creek Rural Service Centre, 116 Harder Street, Box 938, Unity Rural Service Centre, #5 - 100 1st Avenue West, Box Maple Creek, Saskatchewan, S0N 1N0, (306) 662-5447, 480, Unity, Saskatchewan, S0K 4L0, (306) 228-6400, fax (306) 662-5450, email: [email protected] fax (306) 228-6404, email: [email protected]

Meadow Lake Rural Service Centre, 719 - 1st Avenue West, Watrous Rural Service Centre, 403 Main Street, Box 1128, Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan, S9X 1T6, (306) 236-7600, Watrous, Saskatchewan, S0K 4T0, (306) 946-3230, fax (306) 236-7616, email: [email protected] fax (306) 946-2799, email: [email protected]

Moose Jaw Rural Service Centre, 45 Thatcher Drive East, Weyburn Rural Service Centre, 110 Souris Avenue, Box 2003, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, S6H 6V2, (306) 694-3615, Weyburn, Saskatchewan, S4H 2Z9, (306) 848-2374, fax (306) 694-3811, email: [email protected] fax (306) 848-2454, email: [email protected]

Moosomin Rural Service Centre, 806 Broadway Avenue, Box Wynyard Rural Service Centre, 310 Avenue B. West, Wynyard, 239, Moosomin, Saskatchewan, S0G 3N0, (306) 435-4525, Saskatchewan, S0A 4T0, (306) 554-2526, fax (306) 554-3127, fax (306) 435-4529, email: [email protected] email: [email protected]

Nipawin Rural Service Centre, 201-203 1st Avenue West, Box Yorkton Rural Service Centre, 38 - 5th Avenue North, Yorkton, 2166, Nipawin, Saskatchewan, S0E 1E0, (306) 862-1787, Saskatchewan, S3N 0Y8, (306) 786-1500, fax (306) 786- fax (306) 862-1745, email: [email protected] 1511, email: [email protected]

North Battleford Rural Service Centre, 509 Pioneer Avenue, North Battleford, Saskatchewan, S9A 1E9, (306) 446-7646, fax (306) 446-7447, email: [email protected]

Outlook Rural Service Centre, 420 Saskatchewan Avenue West, Box 9, Outlook, Saskatchewan, S0L 2N0, (306) 867-5555, fax (306) 867-9600, email: [email protected]

Prince Albert Rural Service Centre, 800 Central Avenue, Box 3003, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, S6V 6G1, (306) 953-2770, fax (306) 953-2440, email: [email protected]

Regina Rural Service Centre, Rm 101 - 3085 Albert Street, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4S 0B1, (306) 787-2344, fax (306) 787-0410, email: [email protected]

Rosetown Rural Service Centre, 615 Highway #4 North, Box 640, Rosetown, Saskatchewan, S0L 2V0, (306) 882-5454, fax (306) 882-5458, email: [email protected]

Saskatoon Rural Service Centre, 3735 Thatcher Avenue, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7K 2H6, (306) 933-5090, fax (306) 933-7352, email: [email protected]

Shaunavon Rural Service Centre, 55 - 3rd Avenue East, Box 220, Shaunavon, Saskatchewan, S0N 2M0, (306) 297-5450, fax (306) 297-5455, email: [email protected]

Swift Current Rural Service Centre, #1 - 1081 Central Avenue North, Swift Current, Saskatchewan, S9H 4Z1, (306) 778-8311, fax (306) 778-8604, email: [email protected]

47 NATIVE PRAIRIE STEWARDSHIP

Appendix E - Saskatchewan Provincial Library System

Libraries are an excellent source of information on conservation of native prairie. If a library doesn’t have a particular book, your librarian can order it for you from another library on an inter-library loan. Many libraries also have computers for the public to access the internet. "or more information on the services your library can provide, please contact the library nearest you, or contact the following: Saskatchewan Provincial Library 1352 Winnipeg St. Regina, Saskatchewan S4P 3V7 (306) 787-2976, fax (306) 787-2029 E-mail: [email protected] Internet: http://www.lib.sk.ca/ Municipal libraries: Regina Public Library, (306) 777-6120 Internet: http://rpl.regina.sk.ca/ Saskatoon Public Library Internet: http://www.publib.saskatoon.sk.ca/ Regional Libraries: Chinook Regional Library, headquartered in Swift Current Lakeland Library Region, headquartered in North Battleford Pahkisimon Nuye?áh Library System , headquartered in La Ronge Palliser Regional Library, headquartered in Moose Jaw Parkland Regional Library, headquartered in Yorkton Southeast Regional Library, headquartered in Weyburn Wapiti Regional Library, headquartered in Prince Albert Wheatland Regional Library, headquartered in Saskatoon, Internet: http://www.wheatland.lib.sk.ca/main.html

48 NATIVE PRAIRIE STEWARDSHIP

INDEX

Burning: 8, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 42 Control: 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 32, 35, 42 Donate: 33 Easement: 3, 12, 32, 37, 38, 46 ire: 5, 6, 8, 11, 12, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 35, 43 Grazing: 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 18, 19, 20, 24, 25, 26, 35, 37, 40, 42, 43, 44 Harvest: 10, 11, 13, 30, 45 Restore: 12, 14 Restoration: 11, 35, 38, 40, 41 Safety: 20, 21 Water: 7, 15, 19, 22, 25, 32, 36, 37, 39, 42, 44, 45