Newsletter of the Native Society of Inc.

Volume 3, Number 3 Winter 1998

Potential for Growth tendency is for greater diversity in Win a Free Conference seed mixes. But having an inventory in the Native Plant of a wide variety of species may be Registration Industry questionable economically when the demand for some is sporadic. Using By now you should have received a By Nora Stewart on-hand mixes to grow showcase membership renewal package which example gardens may help and be a includes information on registration The focus was on native plant smart marketing strategy. A grower for our upcoming conference and a production as growers, project may choose to do consulting and member survey. Those who return all managers and policy makers from the custom planting with a several-year three of these will be entered in a northern plains states and the prairie maintenance contract to show that draw for one free two-day conference provinces gathered in Calgary natives can be used successfully. registration. November 2-4 for Native Plant Summit IV. The speakers, handouts There is a myriad of buyers of native The deadline for this draw has been and networking provided an plant materials – large and small, extended to January 22, 1999. opportunity to assess the state of the knowledgeable and less so. These Please contact the NPSS office if you native plant industry. may be companies such as Ducks missed this information package or if Unlimited revegetating land for your company would like information The growers of seeds face difficulties wildlife habitat; consultants doing on being a conference sponsor. in seeding, harvesting and processing reclamation work for mining, oil or the seeds of diverse sizes and shapes, gas companies; landscape architects Inside This Issue: often with inappropriate equipment. designing parks or highway right-of- Those growing seedlings of grasses, way projects; or people who want Your Board...... 2 forbs or woody may struggle wildflowers in their gardens. They Member Profile: Jack Winniski...... 3 with a lack of information on species may face high cost, a shortage or lack Ducks Unlimited Celebrates 60 Years characteristics, germination of seed or plants and lack of of Conservation...... 4 enhancement, or other problems information on species ecology. They Endangered Species Advisory created because many native plants may not have the lead time necessary Committee Meets ...... 5 have never before been used in for producers to provide the preferred horticulture. Issues of inventory, plant materials. A gap exists between Ducks Unlimited Ecovar marketing and financing are typical of what the growers can or could provide Program ...... 5 new ventures. With planning, and what the contractors believe is Saving the Songs of the Prairie ...... 6 persistence and a lot of patience available. Purple Loosestrife Update ...... 7 growing natives can be a viable enterprise. Crested Wheatgrass and Smooth The pressure on project managers to Bromegrass...... 7 use native plants is coming from a Overall, the demand for native seed variety of regulators. For example, in SaskPower’s Shand Greenhouse .....8 outstrips the supply, but the needs of the the surface mining The Rendick Elm Forest ...... 9 users are changing and growers must act requires “…a diverse, effective Western Red Lily ...... 9 adjust. One trend is towards site- and permanent vegetative cover of the New Publications ...... 11 specific seed. A Montana grower same seasonal variety native to the collected seeds where strip mining area of land…” Events Calendar ...... 11 was going to occur in Arizona, grew Corporate Sponsors...... 12 …Continued on page 11 seedlings and then revegetated the Submissions...... 12 area with these local plants. Another

Appreciating the Value of Saskatchewan’s Native Plants YOUR BOARD

PresidentÕs Message all over the Northern of End of the NPSS Canada and USA attended to hear the By Dean Nernberg experiences of experts and share Fiscal Year theirs. Since our last newsletter, we have November 30 marked the end of the rolled out new editions of our Behind the scenes, the Board of NPSS fiscal year. Copies of the brochures, including the membership Directors, Larry Goodfellow financial statement are available upon brochure and recommendations for (Executive Director), and Trimension request. Please contact our office for the collection and use of native plants. Group have been working hard on the your copy. A new document on guidelines for activities and strategic direction for rare plant surveys was produced with the NPSS as well as the marketing and The mission of the Native Plant Society of considerable work by Diana Bizecki promotional opportunities for the Saskatchewan Inc. is to promote Robson, one of our directors. This Society. Larry Goodfellow and I have understanding and conservation of native document will be an invaluable tool to initiated efforts to acquire long-term plants and their ecosystems by facilitating help protect native plants during the support and partnerships for NPSS. communication, research, and education. environmental assessment process for President: proposed developments. Moreover, it Over the last while there has been a will be of use to consultants and those flurry of activity to prepare for our Dean Nernberg 975-4291 interested in gathering information on annual general meeting and Vice President: rare plants. Another fine achievement conference. The theme this year is Daryl Nazar 569-0424 for the Native Plant Society. ÔNative Prairie Management and Past President: ConservationÕ. With such a hot topic, Tom Harrison 787-8660 As your President, I have been active it should be a very exciting meeting. Treasurer: on a number of committees Another plant identification workshop Luc Delanoy 665-6887 representing the NPSS. Namely the should prove to be popular and add to Prairie Conservation Action Plan the energy and excitement. I hope to Secretary: Steering Committee, which is a see you all out for this two day Chris Nykoluk 780-5066 consortium of agencies, organizations, extravaganza. It is your chance to get Newsletter Coordinator: and groups interested in prairie together with many other native plant Jo Ann Hrychuk 862-4212 conservation. I sit on similar enthusiasts and provide input into the Directors: committees in and . direction and activities of your Zoheir Abouguendia 757-9499 Also I am sitting on the Resource Society. Conservation Committee (RCC) of Keith Barr 586-4992 the Advisory Committee on Dave Bueckert 759-2523 Saskatchewan Forages. The Advisory Board Activities Sheila Lamont 787-7198 Committee meets annually and the Ray McDougald 662-2963 RCC represents conservation issues in The Board of Directors met Diana Robson 244-7645 relation to the development of Nora Stewart 445-2513 forages, whether they be introduced or November 16 for a regular meeting Executive Director: native. and the Executive Committee met December 15. Larry Goodfellow 668-3940 We have obtained a display unit for Marketing Consultant: our NPSS educational display and In the meantime the Annual General Lianne Hopkins 668-3940 improved the display with new Velcro Meeting Committee has been busy preparing for this upcoming event. A banners. This was done in time for Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan Inc. our participation at the Native Plant number of great speakers are lined up #104 Ð 110 Research Drive Summit IV in Calgary in November. for this event Ð make sure you get Saskatoon SK S7N 3R3 Myself and a number of directors your registration in early! Phone: 306-668-3940 Fax: 306-975-1156 attended this very well organized and Email: [email protected] informative meeting on native plant Canadian Publications Mail Agreement production. Hundreds of people from Number 1427156

- 2 - Executive DirectorÕs for NPSS in the New Year and information within the province and beyond. We would also like input beyond. Message from you Ð the members and By Larry Goodfellow supporters of NPSS. I would like to Both of these new developments will take this opportunity to encourage you serve as the basis for another new The last quarter of 1998 has been to fill in the member survey that you item in 1999. A website will be busy! A number of initiatives were should have received in December. developed to better serve the members undertaken by Trimension Group Please contact the NPSS office if you and general public. It is expected that during this time: new and revised need a copy sent to you. Your input is the listing service and publication lists publications, increased marketing very important to us! will be provided on-line and efforts, membership renewals, and accessible to anyone with access to planning of the upcoming annual In the New Year watch for some the internet. meeting and conference. exciting new developments. Towards the purpose of serving the native plant On behalf of Trimension Group I Instead of expanding on these past seed industry, Trimension Group would like to take this opportunity to efforts I wish to look to the New Year. expects to develop a listing service for send all of the NPSS supporters our We see this upcoming year as an buyers and sellers of native plant best wishes for the New Year. exciting transition period for the seeds. This is seen as a necessary step Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan. to expand this industry in Call for Nominations The main objectives of the contract Saskatchewan. with our firm is to increase awareness and Resolutions of NPSS, provide more services to the Another new development will be a native plant industry, and help the resource centre for native plant Nominations for the 1999 NPSS society move to a position of greater information. We expect to have a Board of Directors can be forwarded self-sustainability. number of publications available for to the Society office. We are also order by the general public. The accepting resolutions to be presented Trimension Group has worked with resource centre will also be able to and voted on at the upcoming Annual the board to determine the direction identify other or further sources of General Meeting.

MEMBER PROFILE

Jack Winniski highway number 10, six miles also symbolizes what he feels is one southwest of Melville. This property of the biggest issues facing native By Debbie Nielson is located on Pearl Creek which is a plants Ð that is, aerial spraying. He major tributary of the QuÕAppelle says it has had a serious impact on his Jack was born of first generation Valley. The desire to landscape the area with very few healthy pincherries Ukrainian Canadians on a small farm site in a manner that would still in existence because of it. south of Jasmin, Saskatchewan. He complement its natural beauty led attended school in Leross and went on them to native plants. In excess of JackÕs future plans include monitoring to pursue his Bachelors Degrees in 30,000 trees representing 50 species aerial spraying activities in his areas both Education and Arts at the have been planted there, the majority and encouraging farmers to apply University of Saskatchewan. He of which are fruit trees native to East- chemicals in as safe as manner as worked as an Agent-Operator with the Central Saskatchewan. In addition to possible. He also plans to spend more CNR from 1958 to 1964. In 1964 he the fruit and ornamental trees for sale time developing his native fruit made a career change that saw him at ÒPearl Creek FarmsÓ, Jack and business. spend the next 30 years as a high Anne also run a U-pick operation, sell school teacher in Social Studies in perennials, and process their fruit into If you would like a tour of Pearl Melville. From 1975 to the present he jams and jellies. Creek Farms or would like to contact has also been a part-time farmer Jack, call (306) 728-3976. raising grain, fodder, horses and trees. JackÕs favorite native plant is the pincherry as he feels it represents the In 1979, Jack and his wife Anne beauty, hardiness and productivity of purchased 140 acres adjacent to native fruit trees in Saskatchewan. It - 3 - RESEARCH AND EDUCATION

Ducks Unlimited enhanced by Ducks Unlimited create a spaces will get worse before they healthier environment for people by improve. Our objective as a far- Celebrates 60 Years reducing soil erosion, replenishing sighted conservation company will be of Conservation groundwater, absorbing floodwaters to carry on our successful programs Ð and purifying surface water. securing wetlands, enhancing uplands, By Patrick Lang, Communications, raising funds Ð while finding new Ducks Unlimited Clearly, Ducks Unlimited is making a ways to provide more habitat for vital contribution to the health of our ducks and other wildlife. Twenty five years of anything is cause planet. To date our organization has to sit up and take notice. Fifty years is invested more than $850 million in In recent years, for example, we have twice as good. But unless youÕre our program to secure and improve realized that the only means of talking about weddings, 60th wildlife habitat in Canada. During the securing a future for North AmericaÕs anniversaries donÕt usually mean first 40 years, most of that funding waterfowl is to influence land use on a much -- except in the case of Ducks came from our sister organization in large scale. Working with partners Unlimited. Why is that? Because in a the United States. In the past 20, our and landowners DU is restoring large period of six decades DU has become base of funding support has blocks of native grass on idle lands, the most successful waterfowl broadened. In addition to funding and encouraging wildlife friendly conservation company in the world. from DU Inc. in the USA, we also farming practices like delayed haying receive large-scale financial support and rotational grazing. The result is The organization came to life in the from local, state, provincial and small improvements to waterfowl drought and depression of the late federal governments through the habitat over large landscapes. We 1930s with a modest budget and a big North American Waterfowl believe this will help create a goal: to take $100,000 of donated Management Plan. significant increase in nesting success money and use it to restore 100,000 and, ultimately, in waterfowl acres of prairie habitat. In a show of A third funding stream is home numbers. determination and can-do attitude, the grown. More than 7000 volunteers small staff actually restored 155,000 throughout Canada host more than Numbers, after all, are important. acres that first year. It was a work 850 DU events to raise over $12 Biologists tell us that a nest success ethic that would define the way the million each year in support of our rate of at least 15% is needed for duck company would operate from then habitat programs. Since our Canadian populations to sustain themselves. until the present. fund-raising program was launched And a sustained fall flight of 100 more than 20 years ago, enthusiastic million ducks would be a good In partnership with like-minded volunteers have raised more than $125 indicator that waterfowl populations agencies, DU Canada steadily million for the ducks. In the course of and the habitats they depend on are in amassed a huge inventory of doing that they have also generated healthy condition. As always, weÕre waterfowl habitat. By the start of our invaluable publicity which has helped investing our dollars and our expertise 60th year we had secured 3.4 million make Ducks Unlimited the nationÕs into specific programs that will be acres and protected an additional 15 best known and most respected most effective in helping to produce million acres of prime wetland and conservation organization (Angus those results. upland habitat. These important areas Reid Group survey). are used by breeding and nesting As we head into our next 60 years we ducks and geese, by shorebirds and With all these achievements to its can celebrate both our achievements wading birds, by mammals both large credit, can DU Canada consider its job and our new direction, knowing weÕre and small, and by a multitude of other close to complete? Not by a long shot. doing everything we can to ensure the wild creatures. In fact, more than 600 While current waterfowl numbers are survival of those wild winged species of wildlife depend on DU near their highest point since the 70s, creatures which grace our skies and Canada wetlands and uplands to meet devastating droughts will continue to enrich our lives. some or all of their habitat needs. In happen. Drainage of wetlands is addition, the wetlands secured and ongoing. The pressures on natural

- 4 - Endangered Species Ducks Unlimited; Saskatchewan Western Spiderwort (Tradescantia Stock Growers Association; occidentalis), Tiny Cryptanthe Advisory Committee Saskatchewan Mining Association; (Cryptantha minima), Hairy Prairie- Meets Saskatchewan Association of Rural Clover (Dalea villosa) Municipalities; Saskatchewan Wheat • Threatened Ð Slender Mouse-Ear By Diana Bizecki Robson Pool; Council of Saskatchewan Forest Cress (Halimolobos virgata) Industries Association of Petroleum The Endangered Species Advisory Producers, and of course NPSS. More species will be examined in the Committee had it's first meeting Diana Bizecki Robson is the spring. Eventually, hundreds of October 7, 1998. The purpose of the representative for NPSS with Daryl species may be protected under The group is to advise Saskatchewan Nazar being the alternate Wildlife Act. Environment and Resource representative. Management (SERM) on protection Government representatives stated priorities, recovery actions, SERM will be proposing to list for that they would use the penalties endangerment prevention and protection nine vertebrate animals and outlined in The Wildlife Act as a last implementation of species at risk six vascular plants this fall. The resort, preferring to achieve species programs. The committee would species and categories are as follows: serve as a forum for addressing protection through voluntary, co- • disputes. The committee members are Extirpated Ð Black-footed Ferret, operative programs such as also responsible for representing the Grizzly Bear, Greater Prairie Chicken, conservation easements and the concerns of their organization. Eskimo Curlew, Small White Lady's Representative Areas Network. slipper (Cypripedium candidum) Anyone with questions, concerns or Organizations on the committee • Endangered Ð Burrowing Owl, comments about wild species-at-risk include: Nature Saskatchewan; Piping Plover, Sage Grouse, can contact me at 306-652-9231 or Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation; Whooping Crane, Swift Fox, Sand [email protected]. Ecotourism Society of Saskatchewan; Verbena (Abronia micrantha),

Ducks Unlimited with wild stock. Most of todayÕs environmental conditions, each agricultural crops, including tame collection of plants goes to a location Canada Ecovar grasses, are cultivars. within its own geographic range. The Program plants are transplanted in a pattern An ecovar (ecological variety) is an that allows cross-pollination among Native grasses provide attractive intermediate step between a tree plants from different sites within the wildlife cover. Once established, native plant and a cultivar. Ecovars range, maintaining the bio-diversity native grasses are long-lived, self- are the offspring of native plants that within the species. propagating and inexpensive to have been specially selected from a maintain. They are adaptable and larger population for their ability to The plants are allowed a year or two hardy, and they are a good fit for survive and reproduce in specific to overcome the trauma of being DUÕs philosophy of promoting regions of the Canadian Prairies. transplanted. A selection of plants is biodiversity. Ecovars retain greater genetic then chosen from the larger diversity than cultivars. population and moved to a separate, In 1991, Ducks Unlimited launched isolated plot to be used for seed CanadaÕs first ÒecovarÓ program. The The ecovar selection process is short. production. goal was to establish adequate Plants may be chosen and their seeds commercial supplies of seed through sent to commercial seed production in In subsequent years, seed is gathered the development of ecovars to meet as little as three or four years. from the ecovars and given to seed the growing demand for native grasses growers who eventually produce for revegetation projects. The Selection Process: enough seed to supply commercial Native plants are gathered from sites growers. Cultivars & Ecovars: across western Canada and A cultivar (cultivated variety) is a transplanted at a variety of locations plant selectively bred to achieve on the Prairies. Since each plant is uniformity in plant growth and adapted to thrive within a relatively enhanced seed production compared narrow range of climatic and - 5 - Plants are selected on a basis of seed biologically diverse population than Lethbridge, Alberta. Development of production and seed vitality. Since with increasing forage production. shrub ecovars is taking place at the the goal is to develop certified Prairie Farm Rehabilitation commercial seed to make commercial Partnerships make it work. AdministrationÕs shelterbelt centre at seed production economically viable. Indian Head, Saskatchewan. Work is Monsanto became the founding also underway at the Alberta Care is taken to maintain most, of not sponsor of the ecovar development Environmental Centre at Vegreville, all, characteristics of the native parent. program with its generous Alberta. For that reason, traits important in contribution of $100,000 in 1993. forage species, such as biomass The USDA Natural Resource productions, are less important Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Conservation Service, the University characteristics to consider when participates in the program at its of Manitoba and the University of selecting plants for ecovar research facilities at Brandon, Saskatchewan are also partners in the development. The program is more Manitoba, in Saskatchewan at Swift ecovar development program. concerned with maintaining a Current and Saskatoon, and at

Saving the Songs of includes habitat areas ranging from 10 a mosaic of structural patches. Some to 6,000 hectares. birds are attracted to tall and dense the Prairie vegetation while other birds like areas By Tracy Neumann, Communications And so far, species like the BairdÕs with sparse cover.Ó Specialist, Saskatchewan Wetland Sparrow, Chestnut-collared Longspur, Conservation Corporation Marbled Godwit and the SpragueÕs Unfortunately, pockets of native Pipit have been identified as Ôarea grassland are often isolated. Davis The Saskatchewan Wetland sensitive.Õ said this puts increased pressure on Conservation Corporation is taking grassland birds because smaller grassland songbirds under its wing ÒThey donÕt really appear to be parcels of habitat may be easier for through the Native Prairie occurring in any great abundance in nest predators to cover. Stewardship Program. pastures less than a quarter section. In the case of the SpragueÕs Pipit itÕs Along with this adversity, grassland And thatÕs good news for the over three quarter sections,Ó said songbirds may also experience high conservation of two valuable Davis, adding the Pipit has been rates of brood parasitism by the brown resources. declining at an alarming rate of 7.1 headed cowbird. percent per year in Canada. Stephen Davis, manager of biological ÒWhat a cowbird will often do once it services for the Wetland Corporation, ÒRelative to other birds, itÕs a good locates a nest is remove one of the is working on a study on native prairie indicator as to the health of native host eggs, come back some time later, habitat and its relationship to the prairie. We found that itÕs not and replace that egg that it took out preservation of grassland birds. attracted to crested wheatgrass or with one of its own,Ó said Davis. brome and can only tolerate a limited ÒGrassland songbirds show more amount of woody vegetation,Ó he said. Hatching earlier than the songbirdÕs consistent and more severe population own young, cowbird nestlings often declines than any other groups of But native prairie stewards can make out-compete the other young for food birds in ,Ó he said. a difference. and space. ÒWeÕre trying to determine what value small parcels of native prairie have in ÒAs a rancher, anybody who is Among these challenges of survival, relation to larger ones in the managing for native grass is managing grassland birds also face the perils of conservation of grasslands birds,Ó he for grassland birds,Ó said Davis. migration Ð flying up to 400 said. ÒGrazing can be used as an extremely kilometres per night to reach their useful tool because some of these wintering grounds between the Tropic Davis said the study began near birds would likely disappear in some of Cancer and the Tropic of Weyburn two years ago and will areas if there wasnÕt any grazing.Ó Capricorn. But here too, habitat areas expand in the Missouri Coteau region are pressured by development. of south central Saskatchewan. It In terms of biodiversity, Davis said ÒGrazing is healthy because it creates

- 6 - ÒThere are birds like the SwainsonÕs ÒSaskatchewan has a huge role in the And thatÕs what Native Prairie Hawk that travel all the way to the conservation of these birds because a Stewards are committed to doing. grasslands of Argentina. And the good portion of many of their ranges Grasshopper Sparrow Ð itÕs a bird that are here in Saskatchewan,Ó he said. For more information call Stephen will travel all the way to Ecuador,Ó ÒThe big thing is to keep the native Davis at 787-0711 or Glen McMaster said Davis. prairie around.Ó at 787-8764.

Purple Loosestrife seed can lie dormant for more than 10 downstream until it reaches the years. SPLEP urges all homeownerÕs Cumberland Delta home to some of Update with purple loosestrife growing in the best marshland in the world. By Angela Salzl their yards to remove it immediately to prevent any further spread. Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) In an effort to help keep the river bank is an aggressive perennial from free of a noxious weed, students from Comprised of 500-1000 plants, this Europe that was first introduced to Joe Duquette high school spent a site is now the largest recorded on the North America over a century ago. warm September day uprooting purple riverbank in Saskatoon. Homeowners Since its introduction it has been loosestrife. Sponsored by Ducks should be aware that this site as well spreading westward across Canada Unlimited, the Greenwing Program as two others are close to a storm and is now found in every province. was created in order to educate our sewer outflow. Most likely seed from In Saskatchewan, there are close to 40 youth about the environment. The garden varieties growing in backyards confirmed sites. Unpalatable to most students were working along the is being carried to storm sewers by animals, it forms dense, impenetrable Saskatchewan riverbank in a purple wind/and or runoff. Furthermore, it is stands which chokes out native loosestrife site recently discovered in proof that these garden varieties can vegetation in most areasFor more the Meewasin Valley Authority. This and do produce viable seeds, which is information on purple loosestrife and site is located on the east bank of the in agreement with recent studies. its clean-up, please contact: South Saskatchewan River just Purple loosestrife populations have Angela Salzl, Project Manager, downstream from the Idylwyld also been found near storm sewer Saskatchewan Purple Loosestrife Bridge. Although 20 or more garbage outlets in Swift Current, Regina, and Eradication Project: bags of purple loosestrife were Moose Jaw. There is a risk that seed Tel: (306) 975-4101 removed, this site will have to be from populations located along Fax: (306) 975-4089 monitored for many years since the SaskatoonÕs riverbank may spread

Crested Wheatgrass in Canada as a seed production species were developed for forage specialist. We contract, purchase, producers with many goals in mind Ð and Smooth process, and trade native grass seed, ease of establishment, cheaper seed Bromegrass but primarily focus on introduced (due to improvements in seed yield), grass and legume seed. With all the improvements in adaptability, By Gord Pearse Òbad pressÓ that the NPSS and others improved forage quality, even have been giving the exotic grass maturity, and so on. Most of these This letter is in response to the species over the last few years, I feel I improvements make the plant more articles regarding crested wheatgrass must respond to previous articles by aggressive, which lead to higher and smooth bromegrass written in the stating how important and beneficial productivity for the producer. This Fall 1998 Native Plant News. crested wheatgrass and smooth shouldnÕt be a negative factor. I bromegrass have been to the Northern certainly would not seed any species IÕve been interested and fascinated by Great Plans. The following is my that has been selected specifically for the rolling grasslands of the Northern opinion, but it is not mine alone. its ability to allow other grasses and Great Plains for many years. My weeds to flourish! By comparison, favorite is those grasslands dominated Are crested wheatgrass and smooth cultivars of northern wheatgrass and by plains rough fescue, which is bromegrass invasive? Absolutely! green needlegrass are very weak among the most beautiful places on Through years of selection and plant seedlings even with improvements. earth. I am a producer of native and breeding, we have varieties that can ÒexoticÓ grass seed, and work for one compete very favourably with other Is there too much crested and brome of the largest forage seed companies grass species and weeks. These in Saskatchewan? Probably. - 7 - Certainly there would have been if introduced species are managed into Manitoba. Although there were better options than brome for seeding properly, cattle producers can improve other species available, it was the one the roadside ditches, as extensive and the productivity and sustainability of used because it established irreversible invasion into native grass their native stands by taking grazing consistently and it was readily stands has occurred. But our pressure off these grasslands. Is this available at a relatively cheap cost. government saved the taxpayers many not a goal of every range manager and These are three attributes that our millions of dollars by using brome supporter of the NPSS? native species do not have even sixty rather than western wheatgrass, and years later! on most ditches it doesnÕt really ItÕs a travesty to nature to sow a strip matter. Certainly in terms of pasture of crested wheatgrass through a native Certainly there are problems with management, many cattle producers grass stand. However, itÕs a sin to crested and brome, but to try to canÕt possibly graze all of their have widespread erosion such as that consider where our beef industry and crested at the stage when it should be which occurred in the 1930Õs. It was the soils of Saskatchewan would be grazed, and have suffered loss of crested wheatgrass that saved much of today without them. productivity because of it. However, southern Saskatchewan from blowing

CROSS POLLINATION

SaskPowerÕs Shand and non-native tree and shrub electricity. Activities have included seedlings throughout the province. nature hikes, propagation techniques Greenhouse Since 1991 over 1.3 million seedlings in the greenhouse, simple forestry By Debbie Nielson have been planted in various concepts and techniques, Indian story- conservation, reclamation, and telling and participating in actual tree Shand Greenhouse was established as wildlife plantings. The majority plantings. a wholly owned subsidiary of (60%) have been distributed through SaskPower in 1991. This state-of-the- the TREEmendous Saskatchewan For the general public, the greenhouse art facility is located just east of program. Other clients have included keeps detailed cultural records of all Estevan adjacent to the Shand Power Prairie Coal Ltd., PFRA, Ducks the crops grown as well as performing Station. One of the main objectives of Unlimited, Cogema Resources, the some research related to crop the greenhouse is to increase public Mixed Grass Prairie Habitat production. This information is awareness of the relationship between Restoration Project and SaskPower. shared with other growers through electrical generation and the various conferences and publications. environment and to foster The Shand Greenhouse also has a The greenhouse is also actively environmental protection through the number of other programs aside from involved with the TREEmendous propagation of native and non-native thee direct seedling distribution which Saskatchewan program and has plant materials. By stressing help to further its objectives. Among played a considerable role in the past conservation to extend resource use, these is an annual school tour. Each on the NPSS Board of Directors. while reducing the environmental spring, approximately 20 schools are impact of resource use, the visited and given a presentation about Through its many activities, the greenhouse symbolizes environmental electricity, the environment and the greenhouse plays an important role for stewardship. Through the propagation important role trees play in our SaskPower and the province of of native vegetation for out-planting, environment. The purpose of these Saskatchewan. Not only does it the Shand Greenhouse also functions talks is not only to make students provide a practical mitigation tool for as a practical mitigation tool that more aware of their environment but carbon dioxide, but through its reduces the amount of carbon dioxide to also encourage more tree planting communication and technical efforts, released into the atmosphere as a and improve tree survival on school helps to raise the awareness of people result of the burning of coal for grounds where mortality is in Saskatchewan to the important electricity generation. exceptionally high. The greenhouse relationship between energy and our also hosts grade 5 students from the fragile environment. Each year the greenhouse distributes local area for a number of activities between 250,000 and 300,000 native dealing with the environment and

- 8 - TRAVEL SASKATCHEWAN

The Rendick Elm are over 6 feet tall. Tall meadow-rue Unfortunately Dutch Elm Disease (Thalictrum dasycarpum), cow (DED) threatens this preserve. If Forest parsnip (Heracleum lanatum) and DED reaches the forest, the By Diana Bizecki Robson (ouch) stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) community will be changed forever. have also reached extra heights. The Help protect this area. Do not bring The Rendick Elm Forest, northeast of forest is one of the few locations in Elm firewood with you. To keep the Hudson Bay, Saskatchewan, is one of the province where the rare nodding site beautiful, healthy and pleasant to Saskatchewan's hidden treasures. trillium (Trillium cernuum) can be visit haul out your garbage, do not Ostrich ferns taller than people, rare found. Other rare plants at the site make fires, stick to the trails, and, plants, rushing water and cool misty include blue monkey-flower (Mimulus most importantly, do not pick any air awaits visitors of this forests ringens), Assiniboia sedge (Carex plants or seeds. sanctuary. assiniboinensis) and red elderberry (Sambucus racemosus spp. pubens). To get to there, drive 24 km (15 Alex Rendick, the original owner of miles) east of Hudson Bay along the land, worked together with the Nature Saskatchewan, under their highway # 3. Turn left (north) past Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation and Nature Sanctuary Inventory Project, is the stream. A small sign showing Nature Saskatchewan to preserve the undertaking plant and animal where to turn is present along the grid 14.2 hectare (35.3 acre) of forest in inventories of this