Nature V iews - Nature Saskatchewan · Publication Mail Agreement # 40063014 Postage Paid in Regina...

Humanity in Harmony with Nature

Nature SaskatchewanRoom 2061860 Lorne S treetRegina, SK S4P 2L7

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Nature ViewsIssue 173 Spring 2013

- a forum for environmental discussion - published by Nature Saskatchewan

Table of Content s

2 From Your President

3 From Your Editors2013 Nature Regina Conservation Grant

4 PlantWatchIBALoggerhead Shrike Impalements

5 Rare Plants and RanchersProject FeederWatch

6 Sask Nocturnal Owl SurveyLMBOBaillie BirdathonWOW Nature Festival

7 LMBO Flight Plan Partner CampaignMargaret Skeel Graduate Student

ScholarshipInner Nature

8 2012 Fall Meet Resolutions2013 Spring MeetVolunteers

9 Share Your SkillsWild about SaskatoonNew RSM WebsiteInteresting Books

10 Public Forum on Saskatchewan’sFederal Community Pastures

Adopt an NCC Property

11 Step into the World of Native PrairieA teacher, a student, a rare bird

12 Doug Tarry Young Ornithologists’Workshop

SK PCAP Focus GroupsFalcon Facts

13 Agricultural Plastics RecyclingProgram

Wild Orphans

14 Protecting Species at RiskBlowing in the Wind

15 DonorsFundersNew Members

16 Upcoming EventsU of S CCDE Tours

PFRA Tree Nursery at Indian Head T erminated

Lorne Scott, Conservation Chair, Nature Saskatchewan

People reacted with disbelief anddisappointment when the FederalGovernment announced in thespring of 2012 that funding for thelong established PFRA Tree Nursery(Agroforestry Development Centre)at Indian Head will be discontinuedafter 2013.

The Tree Nursery has been inoperation for 111 years and duringthis time over 650 million trees havebeen provided for landowners acrosswestern Canada. Virtually everyrural farmyard from Winnipeg toCalgary and Edmonton is gracedwith trees from the PFRA TreeNursery.

Federal Agriculture Minister GerryRitz claims the Tree Nursery has

achieved its objective and we don’t need any more trees. In 2012 over 7,000 producers received over threemillion trees, and over 700 miles of field shelterbelts were planted. Demand for trees in 2013 already farexceeds supply.

The cost of producing the trees is roughly one dollar per tree. Unfortunately, there was no consultation andno alternatives considered prior to the closure announcement.

The following fact sheer provides additional information and details how you can help save the AgroforestryDevelopment Centre.

FACT SHEET· The Agroforestry Development

Centre was established over111 years ago in 1901.

· The Centre, located at IndianHead, SK, has always beenfederally owned and operated.It has gone by many namesover its long history includingForestry Farm, Tree Nursery,PFRA Shelterbelt Centre andAgroforestry DevelopmentCentre. It is presently withinthe Agriculture & Agri-FoodCanada (AAFC) department.

· The Centre is a world renownedAgroforestry Research andDevelopment facility and itgrows the seedlings whichare distributed through thewell-known Prairie ShelterbeltProgram.

· Since 1901, over 610 million tree and shrub seedlings have been shipped to rural landowners acrossthe prairies. At recommended shelterbelt spacing, that’s enough trees to circle the earth 27 times!

· About 50% of the trees were planted in Saskatchewan and the other 50% divided among Manitoba,Alberta and the Peace River region of northern BC.

· Virtually every farm between Manitoba and the Peace River area of BC has received trees from IndianHead.

The Indian Head production site has been called the Forestry Farm,Tree Nursery, Shelterbelt Centre and Agroforestry Development Centreover its 112 year history. Photo by Bruce Neill.

Example of shelterbelts / windbreaks that have been establishedto protect fields, farmsteads, roads and waterways across thePrairies. Photo by Bruce Neill.

cont’d on page 3

Conservation Now...For The Future

Spring 2013 Nature Views

From Your President NATURE VIEWS

Nature Views provides a forum for discussion, a means for the dissemination ofinformation about environmental issues to the people of Saskatchewan and promotesthe aims and objectives of Nature Saskatchewan. Nature Saskatchewan is also knownas the Saskatchewan Natural History Society.

Nature Views is published four times a year by Nature Saskatchewan. Receiving thenewsletter is a benefit from membership in Nature Saskatchewan. Views expressed inNature Views are not necessarily those of Nature Saskatchewan.

Submissions and comments are invited. Send materials to this Nature Viewseditor : Rob Warnock, 3603 White Bay. Regina, Saskatchewan S4S 7C9. Phone: (306)586-2492. Materials can be sent by email to : [email protected]

Layout: Angela DohmsProof reading: Angela Dohms and Rob WarnockFinal proof approval: Rob Warnock

Submission deadlines:Spring issue: January 15 Summer issue: April 1Fall issue: July 15 Winter issue: October 15

Advertising Rates:Full page (14.5" X 10") .................... $400.001/2 p. (7" X 10") .............................. $200.001/4 p. (7" X 5") .................................$115.001/8 p. (3.5 X 5") ...............................$ 65.001/16 p. (3.5" X 2.25") ....................... $ 40.00Classified ads ................................. 50 cents/wordNon-governmental organizations will receive a 10 percent discount on their ads inNature Views. These rates DO NOT include GST or PST.

The editors reserve the right to edit articles for clarity and space limitations.Materials preferably submitted in RTF format or as a text file with images submittedseparately in .jpg or .tif format. More detailed submission guidelines are available on theNature Saskatchewan website (www.naturesask.ca). All material printed in NatureViews may only be reprinted with permission from the author.

This issue of Nature Views has been printed by the Weyburn Review, Weyburn.Circulation: 2200 ISSN: 1207-5450

OFFICE AND PROGRAM CONTACTSGeneral Manager Gary SeibSpecies at Risk Manager Melissa RanalliConservation & Education Manager Deanna Trowsdale-MutafovOffice Coordinator Kaytlyn BurrowsHabitat Stewardship Coordinator (Rare Plant Rescue) Laurie JohnsonHabitat Stewardship Coordinator (Oper. Burrowing Owl) Lacey WeekesHabitat Stewardship Coordinator (Shrubs for Shrikes) Rebecca MagnusHabitat Stewardship Coordinator (Plovers on Shore) Rebecca MagnusSaskatchewan PlantWatch Coordinator Deanna Trowsdale-MutafovNatureQuest Coordinator John MurrayInner Nature Jeanne CorrigalLast Mountain Bird Observatory Alan SmithTurkey Vulture Tracking/Birds of Saskatchewan Book C. Stuart Houston

BOARD OF DIRECTORSHonourary President J. Frank Roy Past President Lorne Scott

OFFICERSPresident Donna Bruce Vice-president Karen McIverTreasurer Bill Mackenzie Secretary Arlene Karpan

DIRECTORSVinessa Currie-Foster Joan Feather Branimir GjetvagSuzanne Henry Lorne Scott Christie ThomsonLorelei Wilson Rob Wilson

EDITORSNature Views Rob Warnock and Angela DohmsBlue Jay Kerry Hecker and Lowell StraussSpecial Publications Anna Leighton

LOCAL SOCIETIES AND AFFILIATES PRESIDENTSChaplin Tourism Committee Clem MillarFort Qu’Appelle Natural History Society Keith StephensIndian Head Natural History Society Lorne ScottKelsey Ecological Society Michael PittMeadow Lake Woodlanders (Junior Forest Wardens) Neil MarshNature Moose Jaw Rod MoranNature Prince Albert Carman DodgeNature Regina Dale HjertaasNeudorf Nature Trails & Wild Bird Sanctuary Keith GerstnerSaskatoon Nature Society Inc. Stan ShadickSouthwest Naturalists Irene StinsonWeyburn Nature Society Val Thomas (Secretary)Yellowhead Flyway Birding Trail Association Lauretta Ritchie McInnesYorkton Natural History Society Geoff Rushowick

For more information, please contact Nature Saskatchewan

MAILING ADDRESSRoom 206

1860 Lorne StreetRegina, SK

S4P 2L7

PHONE: 306-780-9273 OR 1-800-667-4668 (in SK only)FAX: 306-780-9263

E-MAIL: [email protected]

WEBSITE: www.naturesask.ca

I’m in the midst of a wonderful escape to the highlands of Scotland thanks towriter and naturalist John Lister-Kaye. Learning about this writer and his outdoorcentre, Aigas, has been a great gift from a friend and colleague. This writer’spower to share the sensations of his experiences in places he loves are truly amarvel – and a great escape on a cold winter’s night.

As I drifted off to sleep last night, savouring descriptions of watching a badger inthe night, I thought of others whose writing has had a similar power to bring thewonders of the natural world to life through words. How wonderful to have thatgift. I’d love to be able to give readers the sights and feel of snowshoeing on PikeLake last week in search of birds for Saskatoon’s last Christmas bird count ofthe season – the sounds of our steps on the snow, the flashes of purple andyellow on the Pine Grosbeaks, the flash of fish tails in the small patches of openwater along the shore and the crack of the ice when my companion broke through– thankfully just up to his knees! How might I ask you to care about the questionsthat we encountered? Are those flashing fish tails telling us that oxygen in thelake is getting low? Why are we not seeing any robins in the area this year?What does that tell us?

I am in awe and so very grateful for those writers who have honed their craft andchosen to share their experience of a place, what they are thinking about, whatthey are learning, and why we should care. They work away, never sure therewill be an audience for what they are doing, but always in hope that somehowthey will be heard, and perhaps even heeded in some way. How different a worldmight we live in if Rachel Carson had never written “Silent Spring”? How muchpoorer a world might it have been without Farley Mowat, Aldo Leopold or GreyOwl?

A number of remarkable talents continue this tradition of fine nature writing today,and Saskatchewan is blessed to have many in our midst. Trevor Herriot’s passionfor grasslands and birds has been very influential. Candace Savage has done aremarkable job of both teaching and provoking thought. Allan Casey is a masterat sharing stories about our natural world. Arlene and Robin Karpan have providedthe information and tools needed to actually get out and find many of our province’sspecial places – and helped us to better know some of those we may neveractually see ourselves.

There is no more worthy work than to help people reconnect with nature, be itthrough writing, images, or better yet, first-hand experience. And whether weare any good with words or not, each of us can play a role.

Nature Saskatchewan’s board is currently working on some ideas to help revitalizeboth our own membership and that of some local societies. As you will see inthis newsletter, one of our ideas is to help connect groups seeking to know moreabout the natural world with people like you and me who are willing to make alittle time to share what we know and what we treasure. Many of these groupswork with children, and that is an opportunity I highly recommend. I’m alwaysamazed at what a child will notice. You will see the world in new ways, I guarantee.And that, like the skill of a talented nature writer, is a wonderful gift that we alldeserve to enjoy!

Donna Bruce

Wanted: Birders and Banders for S taff andVolunteer Positions

Reprinted from January 11, 2013 Bird Studies Canada E-newsletter

Canadian Migration Monitoring Network (CMMN) stations across the countryare looking for keen birders and banders interested in gaining the experience ofa lifetime volunteering or working with birds. Visit the CMMN webpage at http://www.birdscanada.org/volunteer/cmmn/ for more information about stations nearyou and opportunities offered. Population trends, seasonal abundance graphs,and other CMMN statistics are available from the NatureCounts website at http://www.birdscanada.org/birdmon/.

For opportunities at Last Mountain Bird Observatory contact:

Al Smith, Last Mountain Bird Observatory ManagerBox 154, Avonlea, SK S0H 0C0Phone: (306) 868-4554, E-mail: [email protected]: www.naturesask.ca/education_lastMt.php

Are you Moving? Please let us Know!

If you are planning on moving and wish to continue receiving Nature Viewsand Blue Jay, PLEASE notify the Nature Saskatchewan office in Regina at306-780-9273 or 1-800-667- 4668 (in SK only) during regular business hoursMonday to Friday or anytime by fax at 306-780-9263 or e-mail [email protected]. It is a waste of money and resources when you don’tas it costs Nature Saskatchewan for all returned mail. Thank you.


The Voice of Nature for Saskatchewan

From Your Editors

Letters to the Editors

A segment of Nature Views is designated for Letters to the Editors. Feel free tovoice your opinion and inform members and the Nature Saskatchewan directorsabout issues relevant to our Society. Letters to the Editors provides valuablecomments about Nature Views’ articles, programs and ensures we keep ontrack! Letters may be edited for clarity and length.

While we dig our way out from all the snow we’ve had this winter, spring isjust around the corner. Whether you want to catch up on the busy year thatNature Saskatchewan programs had or learn more about the upcoming SpringMeet, there is something for you in this jam-packed issue. From Plantwatch,to Rare Plant Rescue, to Shrubs for Shrikes, to Nature Quest, it has been aproductive year for all. For those of you waiting patiently for some of thedetails of the Spring Meet, they are here. Or if you’re looking forward to anevent or field trip to get out and enjoy the wintery weather, be sure to checkout the many upcoming events and field trips hosted by our local societies.

In this issue, there is a year in review article of one of Nature Saskatchewan’snewest programs, Inner Nature, led by filmmaker Jeanne Corrigal. The programis based on the teachings of Jim Settee, a Saskatchewan Cree Native, whichpromote our own ideal of “humanity in harmony with nature”. It sounds liketheir first year was a success, and they already have more school visits in theworks for 2013. It’s always great to see young people developing an interestin, and respect for, nature.

We also thank the numerous sponsors, donations, and volunteers we havethis year. It is very encouraging to see so many people devoted to NatureSaskatchewan and the programs we offer. We also welcome our newmembers, and hope to see that number grow even more this year!

This is your publication, Nature Saskatchewan members; please feel tocomment on the content and presentation of the articles as we are alwaysstriving to improve Nature Views. We encourage all members to contribute toNature Views through articles, letters to the editor and suggestions forimprovement. We greatly appreciate your feedback and we would love to hearfrom you!

Angela Dohms and Rob Warnock

· The Centre is responsible for breeding and releasing approximately 26different types of prairie hardy trees and shrubs which are available tofarmers and the public.

· Both the Federal Government and rural landowners share the cost of theprogram trees. For every dollar the Government of Canada puts towardthe Prairie Shelterbelt Program, the farmer puts in another 1.5 dollarsby providing the land, as well as planting and maintaining the seedlingsduring their 60+ year lifespan on the agricultural landscape.

· Peak years of tree distribution occurred in the late 1980’s and early 90’swhen up to 12 million trees were provided annually under a governmentincentive tree-planting program called Save Our Soils (SOS). Thisprogram was designed to combat destructive soil erosion events.

· In the last few years, annual distribution has been 3 – 5 million treeseedlings provided to approximately 7000 eligible rural landowners peryear. Of these trees, approximately 650 to 800 miles of field shelterbeltsare planted each year.

· The Centre consists of 640 acres, most of which is in tree nursery fields.The Centre also has a large infrastructure of specialized buildings,facilities and equipment. These include cold storage, packing sheds,greenhouses, labs and offices as well as public areas (nature trails &picnic grounds).

· Approximately 40 full time and 60 seasonal/student employees work atthe Centre.

· Cost of operating the Prairie Shelterbelt Program is around $3.0 millionper year.

· Trees provide shelter for farmyards, fields and livestock. They trap snowand dust and reduce erosion from wind and water. They also providehabitat for wildlife including pollinators. Trees store carbon, reduceenergy use, increase crop yields, protect riparian areas for water qualityand enhance the beauty of our surroundings.

If you disagree with the Federal Government’s plans to end the Prairie ShelterbeltProgram and divest the Agroforestry Development Centre, there are a number ofthings you can do, including:

· Write a letter to Prime Minister Steven Harper and Agriculture MinisterGerry Ritz at House of Commons, Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6. Ask themwhy they decided to kill this very successful program without any clientconsultation. You can send these letters with no postage.

· Sign and circulate a petition asking the Prime Minister to reverse thedecision to kill the Prairie Shelterbelt Program. Copies of the petitioncan be obtained by emailing [email protected].

· Go to www.protecttheprairie.ca/shelterbelt. By signing up there, yourconcern about the program being killed will go to the Prime Minister,the Agriculture Minister, NDP and Liberal Agriculture critics and yourlocal MP.

cont’d from front page

PFRA Tree Nursery at Indian Head T erminated

2013 Nature Regina Conservation Grant

Once again, Nature Regina is providing a $1,000 grant to assist individuals orgroups who are engaged in nature conservation work in the Regina area. Thiswork can include ecologically oriented research or management activities thatcontribute to the sustainability of our natural environment.

In past years the grant has been awarded to students engaged in a variety ofpost graduate research. Some studies have added substantially to theunderstanding of the general ecology of various wildlife species while othershave been targeted more specifically at determining cause and effect relationshipsbetween wild flora and fauna and anthropogenic stressors on our naturalenvironment. Although in recent years the grant has been awarded to universitygraduate students, conservation projects initiated privately or by high schoolstudents or groups of students also qualify. Each year Nature Regina evaluatesapplications for that year and the grant is awarded to the one deemed mostdeserving.

Applicants for the grant should submit a short description of the proposed workand how the grant funds will be used. The project description should explainwhy it is important to the conservation of nature particularly in the Regina area,briefly outline methods and techniques for conducting the work, time lines forcompletion of the work and important components of the study and how the finalproduct will be used for management or future research. Inclusion of informationabout co-operators for funding and logistical support of the work will also helpNature Regina to determine where greatest value for their funds can be achieved.

Applications for this funding should be submitted to:Wayne Pepper, Conservation Director, Nature Regina,50 Sommerfeld Drive, Regina, S4V 0C7E-mail: [email protected]: (306) 789-6672; Fax: (306) 751-4841

Please Note: Deadline for applications is February 29, 2013.

Some Winter Bird W atching Information

Reprinted from Nature Regina January February 2012 Newsletter

On December 28, the Southwest Naturalists organized and participated in theAnnual Christmas Bird Count. Some species of interest were a Mallard, Merlin,Eurasian Collared Doves, Northern Flicker (Red-shafted), Blue Jay, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Bohemian Waxwing, Hoary Redpoll, American Goldfinch.Overall, twenty-two species were seen. Species seen during the count periodincluded an American Robin and a Varied Thrush. Mammal species included aNuttall’s Cottontail and an Eastern Grey Squirrel.

At a bird feeder near Pike Lake, a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers regularly visitsthe feeder every day. As well, Sharp-tailed Grouse, Common Redpolls, HoaryRedpolls and Pine Grosbeaks are common visitors.

A Black-backed Woodpecker was seen at President Murray Park in Saskatoonon December 27th. There was a sighting of a Common Goldeneye and a BaldEagle on the South Saskatchewan River. A Rough-legged Hawk was seen atAvonlea on December 20th.

General Manager Gary Seib is retiring, and the position will be posted shortly.We hope to have his replacement in position by June 3. Watch our website(www.naturesask.ca) for details.



Almost time to Get Out side and PlantW atch

Deanna Trowsdale-Mutafov, PlantWatch Saskatchewan Coordinator, NatureSaskatchewan

Hard to believe, but soon the dandelions andother hardy plants will be poking out of theground, signaling the arrival of warmer weatherahead. And PlantWatchers all overSaskatchewan will soon be going outside tocatch the first bloom of some of those plants.Would you or someone you know like toparticipate? To become a PlantWatcher is very simple – just phone or e-mail theNature Saskatchewan office to indicate your interest, and we will mail or e-mailyou a package of plantwatching information. Then look for one or more of the 18native plants or 2 non-native plants in your area, watch and record the first bloom,and send those results in by mail or e-mail. Even one observation of one plant isa great contribution! Observations of a plant at the same location over manyyears will help us understand how climate change is affecting the blooming timesof specific plants in Saskatchewan.

By signing up as a participant, you will receive a yearly spring newsletter andrecording datasheet, and a fall PlantWatch summary. Anyone can request otherPlantWatch materials such as wall charts, posters, Canada in Bloom booklets,and brochures – these materials are also available to download on the PlantWatchwebsite found at www.naturesask.ca under Education and Monitoring. I alsohave information on the other NatureWatch programs that may be of interest toyouth and adults alike – FrogWatch, WormWatch and IceWatch. All of thesemonitoring programs can be found on the website www.naturewatch.ca. Be sureto also check out www.dandelionwatch.ca – a site dedicated to the dandelion -one of pollinators’ first food sources in the spring (and they are very nutritious forpeople too).

For more information on the program or how to become a PlantWatch participantplease call 780-9481 in Regina, or 1-800-667-4668 outside of Regina, or e-mailthe PlantWatch Coordinator at [email protected]. Thanks and HappyPlantWatching!

Loggerhead Shrike Imp alement s: What to LookForward to This Spring and Summer!

Rebecca Magnus, Habitat Stewardship Coordinator, Nature Saskatchewan

It has been a few years since we haveblessed readers with impalementpictures, and since it is a nice refresherfor those that remember, and a niceintroduction for those that have not yetbeen so lucky to see them, here aresome images of what to be on thelookout for this spring and summer!

Loggerhead Shrikes impale (hook) theirprey for three reasons: as a way ofstoring extra food; to attract a mate byshowing off their good hunting skills; andto assist in feeding as shrike feet arenot strong enough to grasp their preywhile eating.

During the warm May to June breeding season, the diet of shrikes consistsmainly of larger insects including grasshoppers and beetles. However, in coldweather or when insects are less available, shrikes will take mice, voles, smallsnakes, lizards, frogs, or occasionally small birds. The number of birds thatshrikes take is minimal.

For more information or to report sightings of these fantastic displays, feel free tocall Rebecca Magnus toll free at 1-800-667-4668, at (306) 780-9832, or emailwith pictures (if possible) [email protected].

Impaled bee. Photo by L & JDuncan.

Impaled beetle. Photo by ClaireSanders.

Impaled garter snake. Photo byMichelle Clark.

Impaled Meadow Vole. Photo byLindsay Tomyn.

Impaled frog. Photo by Michelle Clark.

Income T ax Receipt s

Nature Saskatchewan issues an income tax receipt for each donation. Thishelps you to have your receipt handy when you need it. Your support isgreatly appreciated! If you have made a donation and don’t receive a taxreceipt make sure you contact our office.

The Import ant Bird Areas Caret aker Network – W eAre Almost There

Deanna Trowsdale-Mutafov, Saskatchewan IBA Coordinator, Nature Saskatchewan

The Important Bird Areas Program in Saskatchewan has 53designated sites that Nature Saskatchewan has been findingvolunteer caretakers for since 2009. Forty of these sitesnow have caretakers in place.

All of the Caretakers - bothindividuals and groups - havevolunteered to watch forchanges in bird populationsand conservation threats, aswell as conduct outreach andraise awareness about theirsite. We sincerely thank allof these caretakers for theircommitment to the IBAprogram - they are the eyes,ears, hands and feet on theground at their site. Birdsprovide us with evidence of ahealthy or unhealthyecosystem, and are considered an important environmental indicator. Maintainingthe health of Important Bird Areas will contribute to the conservation of otherbiotic and abiotic factors beyond birds.

If you can spare a day or two per year to visit an IBA, the following sites stillrequire volunteer caretakers: Big Muddy Lake area; Cabri Area; Coteau Lakes;Cumberland Marshes; Grasslands National Park - East and West Blocks;Primrose Lake; Suggi Lake.

You haven’t added wrong – there are 5 other sites which have been put on hold forsome time in the SK IBA Program because they are all part of AESB pasturelandthat has been handed over from the Federal to the Provincial Government. Thefate of these sites is not entirely certain, but if anyone would like to volunteer asa caretaker at one of them, please contact me by phone or e-mail and we candiscuss the best approach to getting permission to enter the pastures as an IBAcaretaker. The 5 IBAs are: Bigstick Lake Plain, Govenlock-Nashlyn-Battle CreekGrasslands, Kindersley-Elma, Mantario Hills, and Maple Creek Grasslands.

To find descriptions of all of the 53 sites, go to www.ibacanada.ca, then ExploreIBAs, IBA Site Directory, and restrict search to Saskatchewan to bring up the fulllist.

Please contact Deanna for more details or information on becoming a caretaker,by e-mail at [email protected] or by phone at 306-780-9481 in Regina or1-800-667-4668 in SK.

American White Pelicans at Tobin LakeImportant Bird Area. Photo by Shelly Fisher.



Chet Neufeld, Executive Director, Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan

Rare Plants and Ranchers is a jointproject of the Native Plant Society ofSaskatchewan (NPSS) and NatureSaskatchewan, and aims to build onNature Saskatchewan’s Rare PlantRescue program by working withsome of the 66 stewards and 66,719acres involved to develop site-specificbeneficial management plans forplant species at risk (SAR) using anecosystem-based, multi-speciesapproach.

Here’s how it works:The NPSS visits participating RarePlant Rescue landowners andconducts a landowner interview todetermine historical and present-dayfactors such as grazing and fireregimes, invasive species threats,management issues or any otherpertinent information that would givecontext to the current SAR situationon the land. Following the interview,a site assessment is conducted togather information on the currentcondition of the land through a seriesof range and riparian healthassessments, photo plots, invasivespecies assessments, visits to SARpopulations and anything else thatcould contribute relevant informationtoward the development of amanagement plan. Using theinformation collected, a site specificmanagement plan is produced andgiven to the landowner.

These management plans contain all of the information collected through the oralinterview and site assessment, and also list a series of recommendations tobenefit SAR based upon the findings. All recommendations use the best availableknowledge, follow Recovery Strategy recommendations, and are drafted inconsultation with the landowners and SAR experts.

Recommendations in the management plans are drafted using a holistic approach,taking the effects on the landowner’s current operations and other SAR (includingwildlife) into consideration.

Then what happens?Ongoing logistical support and dollar for dollar cost sharing from NPSS helps thelandowner implement the plan’s recommendations. For 2013, the NPSS has atotal of $10,000 available to participating stewards to implement recommendationsfrom the plan. For example, if a landowner with a weed issue such as leafyspurge had recommendations to control it, the landowner could apply to theNPSS for dollar matching to cover the costs of controlling the leafy spurge. Afterthe recommendations have been implemented, staff will conduct ongoingmonitoring to determine the effects of the recommendations on the SARpopulations and habitat, and landowners given the opportunity to adjustmanagement practices accordingly (adaptive management).

What are the benefits?There are many benefits associated with this project, including:

· SAR and SAR habitat will benefit from the reduction or elimination of threats,increased beneficial influences and more informed stewards.

· Landowners will benefit by having the latestinformation regarding their land and acustomized, comprehensive managementplan for SAR. They also have access to matchfunding and ongoing logistical support to helpimprove their operations to benefit SAR.

· Participating stewards get a free membershipto the Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan, which includes a quarterlynewsletter.

· Data collected by our project will also update known occurrence data,could contribute new SAR occurrence data and may address knowledgegaps such as identifying trends or factors that help explain the presenceor absence of SAR in particular areas.

· Our work with the landowners may also help secure additional SAR habitatin that they will receive information on conservation easements alongwith their management plans and will be given logistical support fromeither NPSS or Rare Plant Rescue to help them establish an easementif they choose to do so.

How can I participate?If you are currently participating in the Rare Plant Rescue program, all you haveto do is call Laurie Johnson at the Nature Saskatchewan office at (306) 780-9417or Chet Neufeld at the Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan Office at (306) 668-3940. The program is free and we do all the work! If you’re not involved in theRare Plant Rescue program, please contact us to join, keeping in mind that youmust have one of the following plant species at risk on your land:

· Buffalograss (Bouteloua dactyloides)· Dwarf Woolly-heads (Psilocarphus brevissimus var, brevissimus)· Hairy Prairie-clover (Dalea villosa var. villosa)· Slender Mouse-ear-cress (Halimolobos virgata)· Small-flowered Sand-verbena (Tripterocalyx micranthus)· Smooth Goosefoot (Chenopodium subglabrum)· Tiny Cryptantha (Cryptantha minima)· Western Spiderwort (Tradescantia occidentalis)

Update 2012This year was the pilot year for the Rare Plants and Ranchers program. In total,the NPSS visited five properties: two were in the Caron area and had hairy prairie-clover populations while three were in the Estevan area and held populations ofbuffalograss. We collected a great deal of data regarding SAR habitat andpotential threats to these species. Past known populations of buffalograss andhairy prairie-clover were searched for and found to be healthy, and many newoccurrences of buffalograss were found! One site in particular had numeroushealthy populations of buffalograss which was very encouraging to see. We alsofound a new location of American bugseed (Corispermum americanum var.americanum), a provincially rare plant (S1) adjacent to one of the sites.Unfortunately, we also found invasive plants such as leafy spurge (Euphorbiaesula); this species occurred in three of the five properties, some with quitesevere infestations. The sites with leafy spurge ranged from being very wellmanaged, to one occurrence that was unknown to the landowner and if leftunchecked would have spread into a nearby buffalograss population. It is veryimportant that we found and addressed these invasive species locations as theywill now be less of a threat to the SAR populations. We are currently writing ourmanagement plans for our 2012 participants and are planning our 2013 fieldseason. We will have between 5 and 10 new project participants, and will followup with current participants to help them implement our recommendations anddeliver match funding for their eligible costs. If Nature Saskatchewan receivesproject funding, they will also be busy in 2013 conducting rare plant populationmonitoring on these lands.

The NPSS is presenting preliminary results of this project at the upcoming PrairieConservation and Endangered Species Conference in Red Deer, Alberta onFebruary 19-22, 2013. If you can’t make it to the conference, the presentationwill be made available after the conference. If you would like to participate in theRare Plants and Ranchers program, or have questions about the program orplant species at risk, please call Laurie Johnson at the Nature Saskatchewanoffice at (306) 780-9417 or Chet Neufeld at the Native Plant Society ofSaskatchewan Office at (306) 668-3940.

Rare Plant s and Ranchers - A Stewardship Solution

Buffalograss (Bouteloua dactyloides) isa good forage grass found along theSouris River, near Estevan. Buffalograsswas recommended to be downlisted fromThreatened to Special Concern in 2011,partly due to rare plant survey work thatdetermined it is more common in ourprovince than previously thought.Despite the downlisting it remains at riskdue to threats such as habitat loss anddegradation, competition from invasiveweeds, and oil and gas activities. Photoby Sarah Vinge-Mazer.

The 2012-13 season of Project FeederWatch (http://www.birdscanada.org/volunteer/pfw) begins in just a fewweeks! Please join our team of thousands of volunteersacross North America. FeederWatchers choose howmuch time they want to spend counting birds, and theirobservations help scientists monitor changes in winteringbird populations. New participants receive a kit with ahandbook, a bird-identification poster, a calendar, andan instruction booklet. Results are published in BirdStudies Canada’s BirdWatch Canada magazine, and inWinter Bird Highlights – the FeederWatch magazine.You can also explore online map s and chart s (http://watch.birds.cornell.edu/PFW/ExploreData) to see whatothers are reporting.

Join Project FeederW atch!

Downy Woodpeckers. Photo by TammieHache.

Anyone with an interest in birds and nature is invited tolearn more about the project and become a “CitizenScientist”. The new FeederWatch season begins onNovember 10, but participants can sign up at any time.For more information about Project FeederWatch inCanada or to register, email [email protected] or call1-888-448-2473. A $35 fee defrays the cost of materialsand data analysis; participation is free for Bird StudiesCanada members. Project FeederWatch is a joint programof Bird Studies Canada and the Cornell Lab ofOrnithology.



The Saskatchewan Nocturnal Owl Survey – 2012

Alan R. Smith, Last Mountain Bird Observatory Manager, Nature Saskatchewan

The 23 routes run in the spring of 2012, is the lowest since 2002 (Table 1). The number of owls per route remained very low for the second consecutive year. NorthernSaw-whet Owls have begun to rebound but Great Horned Owls were at their lowest ever, and for the first time ever no Boreal Owls were recorded. On the positive sidethe first Northern Hawk Owl in the history of the Saskatchewan Nocturnal Owl Survey was heard.

Table 1. Summary of the average number of owls heard per route (10 stops), Saskatchewan Nocturnal Owl Survey 2002-2012.Year ESOW GHOW NHOW BARR GGOW LEOW SEOW BOOW NSWO Total Routes run2002 0.00 1.88 0.00 0.38 0.25 0.00 0.00 1.25 0.25 0.91 152003 0.10 1.96 0.00 0.08 0.08 0.16 0.00 0.67 0.45 3.49 512004 0.00 2.53 0.00 0.18 0.18 0.45 0.00 0.68 0.50 4.50 402005 0.00 1.70 0.00 0.27 0.13 0.47 0.00 0.40 0.30 3.27 332006 0.03 1.66 0.00 0.31 0.25 0.50 0.00 0.25 1.06 4.06 322007 0.03 1.74 0.00 0.06 0.10 0.52 0.00 0.58 0.94 3.97 312008 0.00 1.89 0.00 0.18 0.04 0.50 0.00 0.29 0.36 3.29 282009 0.00 2.35 0.00 0.12 0.04 0.35 0.00 0.08 0.46 3.38 262010 0.00 1.87 0.00 0.03 0.10 0.19 0.10 0.65 1.94 4.87 312011 0.00 1.36 0.00 0.29 0.00 0.07 0.00 0.18 0.46 2.36 282012 0.00 0.83 0.04 0.13 0.04 0.09 0.04 0.00 0.70 2.39 23Average 0.01 1.80 0.00 0.18 0.11 0.30 0.01 0.46 0.67 3.41 30.73

Nocturnal Owl Surveys, Spring 2013

Across Canada dedicated volunteers are helping to improve our understandingof owl populations through the Nocturnal Owl Monitoring Program. Despite theecological importance and charismatic appeal of owls, we know surprisinglylittle about the status of populations in Canada. Surveys across the countryare standardized so the data submitted to Bird Studies Canada is comparablewithin regions and nationally. The database can then be used in owl conservationto estimate trends in populations, learn about owl distribution, estimate relativeabundance of owls and determine habitat associations of owls.

For information on surveys in Saskatchewan contact Alan Smith, theSaskatchewan Nocturnal Owl Surveys coordinator, at [email protected] contact Al by February if you are interested in participating as surveysbegin in the early spring.

The Last Mount ain Bird Observatory Opens inMay

Deanna Trowsdale-Mutafov, Conservation and Education Manager, NatureSaskatchewan

People can visit the Last Mountain Bird Observatory(LMBO) every day in May (after May 7th), andduring the months of August and September.Individuals and groups of all ages are welcome tovisit between 9 am and 1 pm each day (net openingis weather dependent) and see many bird speciesup close, and observe catching, handling andbanding techniques. Learn about speciesidentification, bird migration, threats to birdpopulations, and bird conservation.

If you have a group that would like to visit for a morning of fun and educationalactivities, and learn through being involved with your hands, eyes and ears,then please call Deanna at 306-780-9481 or e-mail [email protected] [email protected] for more information or to book a date for a visit. GirlGuides, Scouts, School classrooms, and groups of all ages are encouraged tobook a morning of fun and learning at the LMBO!

Please Join us for the 2013 Baillie Birdathon at LastMount ain Bird Observatory

Deanna Trowsdale-Mutafov, Conservation and Education Manager, NatureSaskatchewan Come join us on Saturday , May 18th, 2013 to have a lot of fun and help birds atthe same time! Nature Saskatchewan’s Last Mountain Bird Observatory (LMBO)is hosting a Baillie Birdathon event in the Last Mountain Regional Park which isjust west of Govan (please call the NS office if you need directions). Plan to gettogether with our Birdathon leader Gabriel Foley , on May 18th, to enjoy a morningof birding around Last Mountain Bird Observatory. It will be fun, challenging, and agreat learning experience. Come on your own, or bring your friends and family -everyone is welcome! If you have binoculars, then don’t forget to bring them alongtoo. Please meet at 8 am at the LMBO banding station, and then everyone canwalk around the park as a group, and have lunch together at the park concession.Last year, leader Bruce Kellett had a total species count of 88 birds at the LMBOand area. Another Baillie Birdathoner at LMBO in 2012 was 12 year old TheodoreKolkman.

More than 7,000 people from across Canada (and from several countries aroundthe world) participate in and/or sponsor Birdathons in May of every year. During a24-hour period, “birdathoners” attempt to find as many bird species as they can,sponsored at a flat rate, or on a per-species basis.

Help fundraise for the Last Mountain Bird Observatory and become a part of the2013 Baillie Birdathon by registering & finding sponsors. You can sponsor yourself,a participant, or our Birdathon leader. A tax receipt is issued for all sponsorships of$10 or more.

To register for the Baillie Birdathon contact Nature Saskatchewan (1-800-667-4668or 306-780-9273), call Bird Studies Canada (1-888-448-2473 ext.210), or visit BSCat www.bsc-eoc.org to download your Birdathon Participant kit – be sure to name“ Nature Saskatchewan ” as your sponsoring club on the registration form so thatfunds will go to LMBO (about 60-90%). The remainder supports bird conservationin Canada.

Can’t make it to LMBO? You can do your own Birdathon: sign up, find sponsorsand get out in May to see as many species as possible in one day at a location ofyour choice! Go alone or with a friend. Check with your local nature club – a birdenthusiast may be leading a local Birdathon that you can join (consider sponsoringthe leader if you are not planning to sign up for the Baillie Birdathon yourself).Thanks and Happy birding!

Friends of Wascana Marsh are pleased toannounce that the eighth annual Wings overWascana Nature Festival will take place on May11th. Our festival coincides with InternationalMigratory Bird Day on the second Saturday of May.There will be free wetland and wildlife activities, entertainment and guided hikesfor people of all ages.

Preceding this public event is a fundraising dinner on the evening of Tuesday,May 7th, 2013. This year’s guest speaker is award-winning author CandaceSavage. Candace has penned more than 25 books about nature and culturalhistory. Her most recent book, A Geography of Blood: Unearthing Memory

from a Prairie Landscape, earned her the Hilary WestonWriters’ Trust Prize for Non-Fiction. Money raised atthe dinner help fund interpretive components at themarsh. For tickets call or text Ramona Clarke at 531-9759 or call Lynn McCaslin at 757-6787.

We will once again be hosting “School Day”, an interactive and educational day forschool students on the Friday before the festival.

For more festival information as it becomes available please visit our website(wascanamarsh.ca), friend us on Facebook (facebook.com/wascanamarsh) or followus on Twitter (@WascanaMarsh).

Please join us in our celebration of wetlands and wildlife!

2013 Wings Over W ascana Nature Festival



The Last Mount ain Bird Observatory Flight PlanPartner Camp aign

*Count down to the End of the Fif th and Final Year*

Deanna Trowsdale-Mutafov, Conservation and Education Manager, NatureSaskatchewan

Nature Saskatchewanassumed full managementof LMBO in 2008, with thepurpose of ensuring thelong-term operation of thismonitoring and educationalstation. LMBO also tookup coordination of severalother Citizen Scienceprograms including: TheSaskatchewan ChristmasBird Counts (CBC),Breeding Bird Surveys(BBS), and SaskatchewanNocturnal Owl surveys(SNOS). A Flight PlanPartner campaign forLMBO was developed in 2008 as well. A Flight Plan Partner (FPP) pledges tomake a donation of $500 or more towards LMBO, either pledged all at once orover several years. The Flight Plan Partner Program is nearing the end ofits 5 th and final year and we hope to reach our goal of $250,000 by March31, 2013. We are so close to our goal - $234,018.25 has been received to datefrom the approximately $240,000.00 which has been pledged. A big thank-you tothe 57 individual Flight Plan Partners and 10 Corporate Flight Plan Partners whohave contributed to this very important campaign!

In recognition of all Flight Plan Partners who have donated $500 or moreby the end of the campaign in 2013, a permanent plaque will be displayedat LMBO with all of the FPP’s names. This plaque will be installed in 2014 andwill be a lasting memorial of the contributions made from generous individuals andorganizations towards the continuation of successful programming at LMBO.

Would you consider becoming a Flight Plan Partner in the last leg of our journey?In recognition of your contribution, you will receive an attractive certificate, a receiptfor income tax purposes, your name added to the permanent FPP plaque atLMBO, plus the satisfaction of knowing that you are supporting a very worthycause well into the future. Please call the Nature Saskatchewan office at 780-9273 or e-mail [email protected] to pledge your support, or for more informationon becoming a Flight Plan Partner.

American Goldfinch at Last Mountain BirdObservatory. Photo by Shelly Fisher.

Inner Nature Programs at Nature Saskatchewan

Jeanne Corrigal, Inner Nature Coordinator, Nature Saskatchewan

Inner Nature had awonderful year with NatureSaskatchewan this year!Filmmaker Jeanne Corrigalvisited 52 schools and6,164 grade 1- 12 students,in six school divisions. Shecombined personal storieswith a screening or clips (foryounger grades) from herfilm Jim Settee: The WayHome, and told storiesabout a Cree Elder who was“part of nature, who lived it”.

Jeanne’s stories after thefilm connect to the film’sMatchbox story, in which

Jim filled matchboxes with small gifts for each of his grandchildren. Jeannebrings a matchbox that Jim gave her and the students are always interested andcurious about what is inside. She anchors the film’s themes by unpacking amatchbox filled with objects that represent Jim’s teachings. She then invites thestudents to think about what other teachings or important things they would putin a matchbox of their own, including what they would put in to represent theirown connection to nature. When asked what stayed with them from the event,they responded:Love and kindness.Being friends with trees.Métis culture and traditions.

Asked what they remembered, they said:Like the waves in the lake we are all a part of one community.Being surrounded by friends: leaves, plants, ants, and all are valued!The lessons Jim Settee taught: to accept everyone for who they were. Not tojudge, or make up assumptions.No matter where I am I can look inside and find home or a sense of belonging.

Jeanne also led 33workshops where studentsmade matchboxes, fillingthem with their ownteachings, the things thatthey value in life. Theyenjoyed making them, andsharing them with theirfriends and family. They putin many drawings: somedrew their grandparents andtheir teachings; one boydrew Kihew (eagle); one girldrew Métis sashes on allsides of her matchbox;another drew a puzzle torepresent our interconnection.

We have been funded for another 50 schools in the upcoming year, in new schooldivisions. Here’s to another great year with the Inner Nature Program!

The Inner Nature Program is generously supported by the Métis CulturalDevelopment Fund and the Multicultural Initiatives Fund, SaskCulture.

Sample feedback includedFrom teachers:A powerful message to our Métis students (actually, to all of our students).The presentation gave a sense of pride for my Métis and First Nation students.

From Students:It was so much fun with Jeanne and making matchboxes and learning about JimSettee.I’d like to know more about Métis culture.

Final teachings from students:The quiet is where the wise person is.No matter where I am I can look inside and find home or a sense of belonging.Love each other unconditionally. There are many paths...choose the one thattakes you home.

Group of boys showing their matchboxes duringthe Inner Nature Program. Photo by JeanneCorrigal.

Six girls show completed matchboxes during theInner Nature Program. Photo by Jeanne Corrigal.

Margaret Skeel Graduate Student Scholarship

In the fields of ecology, wildlife management, biology, environmental studiesincluding social science applied to marketing conservation and sustainable useof natural resources.

A Margaret Skeel Graduate Student Scholarship of $2,000 will be awarded fromNature Saskatchewan in 2013 to assist a graduate student attending apostsecondary institution in Saskatchewan.

This scholarship must be applied to tuition and associated costs at the namedinstitution.

The Margaret Skeel Graduate Student Scholarship is awarded to a student pursuingstudies in a field that complements the goals of Nature Saskatchewan. NatureSaskatchewan promotes appreciation and understanding of our naturalenvironment, and supports research to protect and conserve natural ecosystemsand their biodiversity. We work for sustainable use of Saskatchewan’s naturalheritage, ensuring survival of all native species and representative natural areas,as well as maintenance of healthy and diverse wildlife populations throughout theprovince. We aim to educate and to stimulate research to increase know ledgeof all aspects of the natural world. Research that will contribute to resolvingcurrent conservation problem s have a special priority.

The applicant should provide:· an updated resume;· a full description of your present and/or proposed research;· a transcript of the undergraduate and graduate courses thus far completed

and of those currently enrolled in; and,· an indication of what other source(s) of funding you hope to rely on to

complete your studies.

Application Deadline: June 1, 2013

Please submit your completed application to the Scholarship Committee:Email: [email protected]: Nature Saskatchewan, 206-1860 Lorne Street, Regina, SK S4P 2L7Phone: 306-780-9273 (in Regina) or 1-800-667-4668 (SK only).



2012 Fall Meet Resolutions

Gary Seib, General Manager, Nature Saskatchewan

Seven resolutions were proposed at last fall’s meeting; six were passed andone was tabled. They dealt with planning issues, the Canadian EnvironmentalAssessment Act, PFRA Community Pastures, the PFRA Shelterbelt Centre,flaring of natural gas in oilfields and the Experimental Lakes research project.

1) Be it resolved that Nature Saskatchewan strongly endorse the value ofintegrated conservation/development planning for the Saskatoon and Reginaurban regions, and join with other organizations to urge the Government ofSaskatchewan to implement such a program, and be it further resolved thatNature Saskatchewan explore and promote integrated planning in the Province’surban regions, through cooperation with local groups as opportunities arise.

2) Be it resolved that Nature Saskatchewan request the Government of Canadato reconsider recent amendments (Bill C-38) to the Canadian EnvironmentalAssessment Act with the intent of making truly meaningful improvements throughenvironmental science and under public consultation; including a possiblereinstatement of the former Act and/or related policies, budgets and staffinglevels; so as to enable timely, orderly and assuredly sustainable resourcedevelopment that fully protects all ecosystems.

3) Be it resolved that Nature Saskatchewan commends the SaskatchewanMinister of Agriculture for his commitment to ensure that native rangelands inthe PFRA Pasture program be preserved; and be it further resolved that NatureSaskatchewan urge the Government of Saskatchewan to retain ownership ofthe former PFRA Pasture lands; and be it further resolved that NatureSaskatchewan request the Governments of Saskatchewan and Canada to lookat the possibility of an arm’s length management team operating the pastureson a cost recovery basis, and maintain the current mandate in management ofthe pastures.

4) Be it resolved that Nature Saskatchewan urge the Government of Canada tocontinue to fund the PFRA Shelterbelt Centre at Indian Head, Saskatchewan.

5) Be it resolved that Nature Saskatchewan urge the Government ofSaskatchewan to implement procedures to utilize unwanted oilfield naturalgases for commercial purposes and cease their flaring by 2015.

6) Be it resolved that Nature Saskatchewan request the Government of Canadato reinstate funding to the Experimental Lakes Area near Kenora, Ontario.

So far, we have had no responses to our resolutions.

At the same meeting, members approved a bylaw change to Article XI.Dissolution. It now reads:

Subject to Section 199 of the Non-Profit Corporations Act, on dissolution of theSociety its property and assets shall, after payment of all liabilities, be donatedto the Government of Saskatchewan for the exclusive use of the RoyalSaskatchewan Museum, except in the case of ecological gifts, to one or moreof the eligible recipients of ecological gifts identified under Environment Canada’sEcological Gifts Program, before or separate from any payment of theorganization’s debts.

2013 Spring Meet in Grasslands & Swif t Current


Mark your calendars for June 14-16, 2013 for an exciting Spring Meet. We’ll bebased at the Days Inn at Swift Current for the Friday evening and Sunday AGM, andwill board busses there for an all-day field trip to Grasslands National Park onSaturday. The grasslands bus trip will include tours of the park, a cowboy luncheonout in the park, and an evening banquet in Val Marie with Bob Peart as our featuredspeaker.

Bob Peart is the project coordinator for The Temperate Grasslands ConservationInitiative, a project of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).Members may remember Bob for his stint as manager of the Prairie WildlifeInterpretation Centre, near Webb, Saskatchewan. Now that he’s working on aworld stage, the focus of his talk: “A quick Look at the State of the World’sGrasslands” will have an international perspective. The temperate grasslands biomeis among the most endangered, the most altered and yet the least protected biomeon the planet. Currently only 3.4% of the world’s indigenous temperate grasslandshave any form of legal protection. This talk will discuss where these grasslands areand the on-going efforts to conserve them in various regions throughout the world.The Great Plains of North America will be put into the context of global efforts toprotect this rich and diverse ecosystem.

This meet will be a celebration of the 50th anniversary of Nature Saskatchewan’s1963 resolution urging the establishment of a grasslands park to celebrate Canada’sCentennial in 1967. Unfortunately, the agreement to establish the park was notsigned until September 23, 1988, and only now has the park acquired most of theland to reach its ultimate size.

On Friday evening we’ll celebrate that anniversary with a visual presentation byBranimir Gjetvaj, and an historical presentation by David Henry and Gary Seib.We’ve had two previous Spring Meets in the area, back in 1969 and 1985, and forthis third meet we’re working with the parks staff and members of the SouthwestNaturalists in Swift Current to make it the best one yet!

Because of the lack of accommodations in Val Marie, we’ll be based in Swift Currentat the Days Inn (306-773-4543) where a block of rooms has been reserved. We’vebooked two buses to get us to the park on Saturday, and to return us to SwiftCurrent after the banquet. We will have full details and a registration form in thesummer issue of Nature Views.

Nature Saskatchewan Thanks the FollowingVolunteers for Their Contributions

Thank you to Yalda Phieffer for her many hours of creative contribution to our Stewardsof Saskatchewan Programs.

Thank you to Jessica Martino for her many hours of work on the Black and WhiteWarbler Newsletter for LMBO. Thank you to Bruce Kellett for being the BaillieBirdathon leader at LMBO for 2 years. Thank you to all of the volunteers who helpedat LMBO during 2012.

Thank you to all Important Bird Area (IBA) volunteer caretakers for your time anddedication to this program.

Thank you to all PlantWatch observers for taking the time to watch the SaskatchewanPlantWatch species bloom and submitting the data sheets.

Thank you to Lori Wilson, Terry Mattern, Gord, Melanie, Ian, Hailey and GarethClark, and Mark Francis who volunteered with the Linking Communities program in2012.

Thank you to Brian Jeffery for your help with the Annual Appeal mail out.

ABA’S “Birding News”

Reprinted from Bird Studies Canada November 23, 2012 E-newsletter

Where can you find the most current North American birding posts anddiscussions, information about sightings and eBird rarity alerts, and more?The American Birding Association’s “Birding News” site is a hub for onlinebirding listservs from across Canada and the U.S., and around the world.“Birding News” grew out of, and expanded upon, the “Birdingonthe.Net” sitemaintained by Jack Siler since the early 1990s. Since August, the ABA hasassumed responsibility for this resource, and has implemented a new site thatincludes enhanced searchability and a “What’s Hot” Twitter feed. Visit theABA website at http://birding.aba.org/about.php to learn more, or visit this link:http://blog.aba.org/2012/11/abarare-citrine-wagtail-british-columbia.html to readabout Canada’s first Citrine Wagtail.

Manitoba Government Support s Breeding BirdAtlas

Reprinted from Bird Studies Canada November 23, 2012 E-newsletter

On November 15, 2012 the Manitoba Breeding Bird Atlas was awarded $24,000from the Manitoba government’s Endangered Species Biodiversity Fund. Thisis in addition to the $25,000 provided by the province through the SustainableDevelopment Innovations Fund in September. The Manitoba government’soutstanding commitment to Manitoba’s first atlas is greatly facilitating theproject’s capacity to achieve target coverage goals in remote areas, and alsocomes with invaluable in-kind support, as well as matching support from othermajor funders including Environment Canada and Manitoba Hydro.



Share Your Skills

Do you enjoy sharing your love of nature with other people? Would you be willingto speak to a local society? Lead a field trip? Build birdhouses with kids? Offera nature photography workshop?

Whatever your interests, we’d like to hear from you. We’re compiling a list of NSmembers who are available to share their expertise with local societies and othernature-oriented groups (e.g., Guides, Scouts, 4-H). If you’d like to be part of thislist, please complete the form below and mail, fax, phone or email your informationto the office. When we receive a request from a group, we’ll connect them withthe appropriate resource people in their area.

Thanks for your interest!

Name_____________________________________________________________Address___________________________________________________________Phone________________Email________________________________________Areas of interest/expertise (Please check all that apply):____birding____plant ID____building birdhouses/feeders____nature photography____speaking at a local society____leading field trips at NS Meets____other (please specify):____________________________________________

Please return your information to:

Nature Saskatchewan206-1860 Lorne St.Regina, SK S4P 2L7

Phone: 306-780-9273 or 1-800-667-4668 (toll free in SK)Fax: 306-780-9263 Email: [email protected]

Wild About Saskatoon: Urban nature festival callsfor p articip ation

Reprinted from Prairie Conservation Action Plan December 2012 E-newsletter

Wild About Saskatoon is a brand new collective of nature-minded individualsworking to connect nature and culture in the City of Saskatoon. We live in anurbanizing province and a rapidly urbanizing world. If we and our children fail toconnect with nature in our daily lives, we may fail to connect with it anywhere.Think what the consequences of that loss would be for ourselves and for theEarth.

Wild About Saskatoon intends to impassion Saskatoon residents with the naturethat surrounds them in the streets, gardens, parks and back alleys of the urbanenvironment. We plan to begin this work by hosting a festival to celebrate Naturein the City, timed to coincide with the blooming of the saskatoon blossoms. Todo this, we need your help!

The festival will take place around the week of May 25 to May 31, 2013. Our goalis to have activities running throughout the week, led by many citizens andorganizations, exposing as many cultures, age groups, and areas of the City aspossible. The scope of your contributions is limited only by your imagination.The main thing is that you participate, have fun, and connect your event or activityto the cityscape of Saskatoon and to nature.

Examples include, but are not limited to: Nature walks, Night walks, Archaeologicaldigs, Outdoor art displays, Music performance/concert, Poetry/book reading,Pond dipping, Dance performance, Craft making, Building wildlife “houses,”Gardening demonstration, Local food booth, Cooking demonstration, Bike tour,Sustainable living workshop, Yoga in the park, Photo workshop... And the listgoes on!

What we need from you: Your participation!

For more information contact Candace Savage [email protected] orCandace Neufeld [email protected] or download http://l ibrary.constantcontact.com/download/get/fi le/1103837443190-221/Wild+About+Saskatoon+Festival+Announcement.pdf for more details.

Turning Leaves

Obituaries and T ributes

Readers are welcome to submit memorials for family and friends who wereinvolved in Nature Saskatchewan or one of the Local Societies. Memorialsshould be brief and photos are permitted.

Dynamic new RSM website launched in December

Saskatchewan Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport Media Release via SK PCAPJanuary 2012 E-newsletter

Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Kevin Doherty announced today (December 5,2012) that the Royal Saskatchewan Museum (RSM) has launched a dynamicnew website, www.royalsaskmuseum.ca.

“For more than 100 years, the RSM has been conserving and displaying ourprovincial history and heritage,” Doherty said. “Today, with more people livingand working in Saskatchewan than ever before, with a growing optimism andsense of pride, the RSM is a great place for new arrivals and long-time residentsalike to learn about the natural world around us. This new website is part of thevisitor experience - it will help engage people and make information easier tofind.”

Along with information useful in planning a visit to the museum, there is alsoinformation on travelling exhibits and upcoming events and activities both in Reginaand around the province. The new site allows teachers to schedule and bookschool visits online, order educational materials and more. As well, there is asection designated for Megamunch.

“This new website better reflects the many facets of the RSM from exhibits andprogramming to research and conservation,” RSM Director Harold Bryant said.“I’m pleased it will provide a new forum for the museum’s research disciplines aswe will soon establish live blogs from the museum’s scientists, as well as onefrom the Friends of the RSM.”

The RSM, founded in 1906, increases interest in and knowledge of Saskatchewan’snatural and cultural history through its research, exhibits and programs. Totalattendance at the RSM in 2011-12 rose by more than 9.6 per cent to 123,500visits. The RSM is open every day from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is bydonation. To learn more about the RSM and its exhibits and activities, visitwww.royalsaskmuseum.ca.

Some Interesting Books


I’m a voracious reader, and over the holiday break, I worked my way through apile of books at my bedside. Two of them may be of particular interest to ourmembers.

The first is Of Moose and Men: A Wildlife Vet’sPursuit of the World’s Largest Deer by Dr. JerryHaigh of Saskatoon. In 258 pages and 25chapters, Haigh shares his extensiveexperiences with moose, both tame and wild,and gives an overview of moose history andbiology, reproduction and migration, diet anddiseases. Haigh also investigates topics suchas moose and traffic, moose as a resource, andthe uses of moose as pets and dairy animals…inother words, all things moose.

Haigh is a great storyteller, and his writing stylewill capture your imagination and interest. Thebook is illustrated with 33 black and whitephotographs, a section with 13 colourphotographs, a map and 7 drawings. It ispublished by ECW Press (ISBN 978-1-77041-0981-6) and sells for $22.95.

My other recommendation is Raptors ofthe West: Captured in Photographs byKate Davis, Rob Palmer and NickDunlop. In 242 pages and 6 chapters,the authors give intimate visual portraitsof all of the raptors one could expect tosee in our area, and some beyond. Thespecies are grouped by habitat: ArcticTundra and Boreal Forests; Fields,Grasslands and Prairies; Rivers andWetlands; Woodlands and ForestEdges; Mature Forests; and SouthwestSpecialties. Each chapter begins witha page or two of text and a scene-settingphoto, followed by 5 to 10 stunning

photographs of each of the species identified with that habitat. In all, 45 speciesare covered, and the 424 photographs range from intimate close-ups to flightshots to young in the nest.

This book is published by Heritage House Publishing Company (ISBN 978-1-927051-03-0) and sells for $29.95.



Public Forum on the Disposal of Saskatchewan’ sFederal Community Pastures

Over one million acres of Canada’s most important grasslands are up forsale or lease! Have you been consulted?

Everyone is invited to a facilitated,open forum on the disposal of PFRAcommunity pasture lands inSaskatchewan. This forum bringstogether key stakeholders and thepublic to discuss the future ofcommunity pastures inSaskatchewan.

Thursday evening, February 28 th (7p.m.) : Candace Savage , the best-selling author of Prairie: A Natural History and A Geography in Blood, will highlightthe heritage of the PFRA pastures: more than one million acres of public land inSaskatchewan - some of the largest remnants of native prairie and sustainablygrazed pasture - now being put up for sale or lease. Location: Frances MorrisonLibrary, 311-23rd Street E, Saskatoon.

Friday afternoon, March 1 st (1 – 4 p.m.) : a panel of speakers will present on arange of topics including the history and context of the pastures, ecological andeconomic benefits, species at risk in the pastures, and First Nations interests inthe land. An open microphone session will follow. Location: Edwards School ofBusiness – Georgia Goodspeed Theatre (Rm. 18), University of Saskatchewan,Saskatoon.

Both events are open to all! Program details will be posted on Pasture Posts(http://pfrapastureposts.wordpress.com/), the website for Public Pastures -Public Interest , a Saskatchewan citizens group and non-profit that draws togetherrural and urban people who share an interest in conserving the great publicgrasslands of Saskatchewan.

For more information contact Branimir Gjetvaj at [email protected] (orcall 306-382-2642)

Public Pastures, Public InterestOver one million acres of Canada’s most important grasslands are up forsale or lease! Have you been consulted?

Stop the Sell-off of the Prairie Grasslands

Reprinted from Nature Regina January-February 2012 Newsletter

We have already lost more than 80 per cent of the native prairie to development.

Now, the government of Saskatchewan is poised to sell more than 1.8 millionacres of what remains of these iconic lands and potentially destroy a sustainableecosystem that delivers environmental and economic benefits. Manitoba mayfollow suit with a further 700,000 acres. These breathtaking landscapes representsome of the last functioning prairie ecosystems on earth. Until environmentalprotection and conservation guarantees are in place, the sale must be stopped.

Opposition is growing to the Saskatchewan government’s plan to sell 1.8 millionacres of Crown land that has long been part of the federal PFRA communitypasture program. The pastures, which have been carefully managed by the PFRAto balance ecological and economic interests, include some of the largest remainingnative grasslands on the continent.

Opposition to the sale is based on the fear - which seems increasingly wellfounded - that the land will sooner or later fall into the hands of non-residentowners and land speculators. The Saskatchewan Association of RuralMunicipalities recently passed a resolution calling on the province to retainownership. Patron ranchers are also speaking out, saying they can’t afford tobuy the land and want it to remain in the Crown. Last week, the Federation ofSaskatchewan Indian Nations proposed looking at how Treaty Land EntitlementFirst Nations could potentially acquire the pastures.

In their wisdom, the feds have cancelled the PFRA program, started in the 1930s,to conserve endangered grasslands. The land reverts to the province, which doesnot want to foot the bill to manage the pastures. Despite provincial assurancesthat the land will remain in the hands of the current patron ranchers, and thatecological values will be protected, the alarm is sounding that future owners couldmismanage the land once PFRA involvement disappears.

Without the oversight of disinterested PFRA management, native prairie might bereseeded with non-native grasses. Even patron owners are more likely to overgrazethe land without PFRA oversight. Owners might also go ahead and cultivate theland despite the easements, reckoning that penalties imposed will be insignificantcompared to income that can be earned.

“For the most part, I think the patrons view it as an opportunity and they certainlyunderstand that we’re not going to operate the pastures as the federal governmentdid and I think that most of them understand that it would cost them more moneyif we did,” Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart told reporters Mondayafter question period, in which the issue was raised.

For more information or to sign the petition, check out www.protecttheprairie.ca.The campaign is sponsored by the Agriculture Union – PSAC and is supported bythe Saskatchewan branch of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS)and the Saskatchewan Environmental Society.

Please note that the Nature Saskatchewan continues to work diligentlyon this issue independently of this petition (the Editors).

Adopt a Nature Conservancy of Canada Property!

If you are passionate about conservationand interested in helping the NatureConservancy of Canada, SaskatchewanRegion (NCC), conserve our properties forwildlife habitat, biodiversity, and publicenjoyment, then we have a GREATvolunteer opportunity for you!

The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) Property Watch Program matchesinterested volunteers with NCC owned properties that need a little extra care andattention. You will complete a basic property report, record any species youencounter, even pull weeds, and install signs or bird boxes. As a Property Watchvolunteer, you will participate on your own schedule, not ours! NCC staff willprovide support, training and basic materials before your first property visit.

NCC welcomes individuals, clubs, non-profit organizations, corporations,municipalities and other groups to participate by Adopting a Nature Conservancyof Canada Property!For more information, please contact:

Joseph D. Kotlar, Stewardship CoordinatorEmail: [email protected]: (306)347-0447 ext. 229

Website: www.natureconservancy.ca/saskatchewan

Snowy Owls Invade Western Canada for SecondYear

Reprinted from January 11, 2013 Bird Studies Canada E-newsletter

Last winter (2011-12), Snowy Owls swept south across Canada, with sightingsthroughout the country. This year there has been an echo of that irruption (inBritish Columbia, at least). Up to 29 birds have been seen from one spot alongthe Boundary Bay dykes, the traditional site of Snowy Owl concentrations in thepast. There, the owls are hunting ducks among the large flocks of Wigeon andPintail that winter on the Fraser Delta. Bird Studies Canada Board MemberAnne Murray has been interviewed by CTV and CBC about these birds.

The real surprise for birders was in BC’s Interior, a region that usually misses outon Snowy Owl irruptions. In comparison with BC’s Lower Mainland, fewer owlshave been seen from Prince George to Penticton, but regionally the numbers areunprecedented. For instance, four Snowys were seen on the Prince GeorgeChristmas Bird Count (CBC) – the first since 1973! Numbers were also goodeast of the Rockies. The Horseshoe Canyon CBC in south-central Alberta reported10 Snowy Owls; their previous record high was four, seen last season. Numbersin Saskatchewan were similar to the previous year’s impressive highs – theRegina CBC reported 33! Visit this link (http://ebird.org/ebird/canada/map/s n o o w l 1 ? b m o = 11 & e m o = 1 2 & b y r = 2 0 1 2 & e y r = 2 0 1 2 & e n v. m i n X = -139.052&env.minY=48.309&env.maxX=-110.0&env.maxY=60.0&gp=true) toexplore the full extent of this year’s irruption.

Snowy Owl. Photo by Bob Mitchell.



A student, a teacher , a rare bird

Ron Jensen

Now, I can almost hear readers asking how are these three connected? Well,read on and find out.

The rare bird was the Hepatic Tanager that arrived at Faye Sundholm’s, the student,bird feeder on November 2nd, 2012. A phone call to Faye from Frank Roy, theteacher, to ask if the bird was still at her feeders because he would like to comeout to Wadena to see this lifer.

Faye, during the ensuingdiscussion, told Frankthat she had been astudent of his at CityPark Collegiate some 40years earlier. It is not toosurprising that Frankdidn’t recognize themarried surnameSundholm because hehad known Faye as aLee. Teaching primarilyEnglish and French inhis years as a teacher,Frank taught some4,800 students.

The agreed day arrived.Frank, Phil Taylor andRon Jensen drove to Wadena in hopes of seeing a Hepatic Tanager, the firstrecord for the province and possibly the second for Canada, an auspicious day forthree birders. We arrived about 11:00, parking outside the house followinginstruction provided by Guy Wapple who had been to see the Hepatic Tanagerearlier in the week. Another vehicle, with Alberta plates, was already parked infront of the house. We sat in the car for a few minutes hoping to see the tanagercome to the front yard feeders but only chickadees, nuthatches and a few HouseFinches put in an appearance. We debated about going to the house to announceour coming. In the midst of deciding which was appropriate, stay in the car andwait or go to the house, Faye appeared in her kitchen window and waved at us tocome to the house. We were greeted at the door, introductions were made, andFrank got a big hug from his former student. Much visiting, catching up andphotographs: a student and teacher were meeting again after 43 years.

The bird of the day arrived shortly at the front yard feeders while Frank, Phil andRon watched intently from the kitchen window. Photographs were taken todocument the event.

Faye and John Sundholm invited us for coffee and cake while we waited andwatched for the tanager to return again to the feeders. A high school yearbookappeared with a young, good looking Frank Roy pictured, not much older than hisstudents. Visiting and catching up on the years since the two had last seeneach other was interspersed with, “Oh!! The T anager is back!” After about 1½hours of sporadic tanager views and visiting, we said our good byes and headedback to Saskatoon as a winter storm fast approached.

The red, male HepaticTanager arrived onNovember 2nd; Fayesent pictures to a friendwho in turn sent thepictures to Al Smithwho shared them withSaskatchewan birders.Guy Wapple and NickSaunders were the firstnon-Wadena residentsto see the HepaticTanager and confirmingits identity. A steadystream of birders from

many parts of the province, from Calgary too and from Halifax the farthest anyonecame to Faye and John’s doorstep hoping see the rarity. In total, some 45birders came to Wadena to see the first documented Hepatic Tanager inSaskatchewan. Faye last saw it on November 15, 2012 about 2:00 pm. It is herbelief that the tanager arrived at their feeders to brighten her fall that had beensaddened with the loss of her dog of 17 years. Now is that not a nice reason fora bird from southern Arizona, California and Central America to make a visit toWadena, Saskatchewan? The Hepatic Tanager has certainly put Wadena on thebirders’ map of Canada.

Faye Sundholm and J. Frank Roy at the Sundholmresidence in Wadena, SK. November 9, 2012. Photoby Ron Jensen.

Hepatic Tanager. Photo by Nick Saunders.

WANTED: Lichens of the Prairies, Aspen Parklandand Boreal Forest

Friends in nature, bird watchers, plant watchers and others interested in natureI am asking your cooperation in lichen observation and collecting on your natureoutings in various locations in our province.

Lichens are a composite organism consisting of an association of a fungus andan algae and practically active year round, and found in all of Saskatchewan’secozones. On your outings you probably have seen them on rocks, soil ortrees, but did not always knew what they were.

I would need the date of collecting, some habitat description, name of closesttown or better GPS latitude & longitude, and name of collector. Collections canbe stored in a paper lunch bag. If you want them identified or identificationsverified, you can lightly press them and place in paper packages to send to meat this address:

B. de Vries, 29 Hogan Place, Emerald Park, SK, S4L 1C1.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Bernard de Vries, LichenologistE-mail: [email protected]

“Step Into the World of Native Prairie”

20 Ways You and Your Family Can Get Outside and Enjoy/Appreciate NativePrairie in Saskatchewan!

From SK PCAP website (www.pcap-sk.org)

1) Learn about the history of Saskatchewan’s prairie landscape at your localmuseum.(i.e. Royal Saskatchewan Museum (Regina, SK); Western Development Museum(Moose Jaw, North Battleford, Saskatoon or Yorkton, SK)

2) Help monitor a prairie “bandit” at Grasslands National Park near Val Marie,SK.

3) Say “howdy” to an endangered Prairie species at the Saskatchewan BurrowingOwl Interpretive Centre in Moose Jaw, SK.

4) Visit the native plant garden/medicine wheel at the First Nations University ofCanada in Regina, SK at University of Regina.

5) Go for a hike at the Old Man on His Back Prairie and Heritage ConservationArea near Eastend, SK.

6) Learn how to band migratory songbirds at the Last Mountain Bird Observatorynear Govan, SK.

7) Explore the Waterfowl Park Trail at Wascana Lake in Regina, SK for nativeplants.

8) Visit the Great Sandhills Museum at Sceptre, SK to learn about the history ofthis unique landscape.

9) Listen for ghost bison herds at Wanuskewin Heritage Park, north of Saskatoon,SK.

10) Tour the Big Muddy Badlands south of Regina, SK to see native prairie,wildlife species, outlaw caves and effigies from the past!

11) Create your own plant & animal field guide at the Beaver Creek ConservationArea, south of Saskatoon, SK.

12) Canoe alongside ducks & geese at Valeport Marsh near Craven, SK.

13) Look for soaring raptors from the top of the Qu’Appelle Valley near Regina,SK.

14) Camp underneath the stars at any of Saskatchewan’s Provincial Parks!

15) Support SK producers by visiting your local Farmers’ Market.

16) Build a butterfly, bat or birdhouse for your yard.

17) Stay at a guest ranch and go horseback riding, hiking, bird watching or allthree!

18) Plant native grasses and flowers in your backyard.

19) Join a local nature society (i.e. Nature Saskatchewan).

20) Visit the SK PCAP website (www.pcap-sk.org) for a list of more events andworkshops!



The Doug T arry Young Ornithologist s’ Workshop

The Doug Tarry Bird Study Awards foster the development of ornithological interestsin Canadian teenagers. Recipients of the awards attend a week-long workshop/natural history camp or a month-long student internship at Long Point BirdObservatory (LPBO).

The Doug Tarry Young Ornithologists’ Workshop is a major component of theObservatory’s educational program. Since its inception in the mid 1970s, theWorkshop has been the jumping-off point for many of today’s most talented fieldbiologists. Thanks to the keen foresight and generosity of humanitarian andnaturalist Doug Tarry, the Workshop is offered free to selected applicants. Itfocuses on “hands-on” learning and training in field ornithology, providing a uniqueopportunity for like-minded teenagers to enhance their knowledge and skills inthe scientific study and aesthetic enjoyment of birds. Participants learn how toidentify, age and sex birds, and to study their populations and behaviour. Carefuland skilled instructors teach the secrets of bird handling and banding techniques,how to prepare specimens for scientific study, and an array of bird censusingtechniques. Regular afternoon field trips are taken to places of biological interestwithin the internationally designated Long Point Biosphere Reserve. Eveningstoo are busy with slide presentations and nocturnal field work.

This year, the Workshop is being held from Saturday 3 August to Sunday 11August 2013. Space is limited to 6 participants, ranging in age from 13-17 yearsold. The Award covers all direct costs of the workshop (accommodation, meals,travel while at Long Point, and professional instruction), but recipients areresponsible for their transportation to Long Point.

What is a Student Internship?The student internship is a month-long position awarded to mature teenagerswith clearly demonstrated interests in field ornithology (often graduates of theYoung Ornithologists’ Workshop). Each year, one or more interns spend threeto four weeks in August and September and become involved in all aspects ofLPBO’s Migration Monitoring Program to further develop skills gained from theYOW program. In addition, with help of Bird Studies Canada staff, interns designand conduct an independent field research project. Funding for these positionsis provided by The Doug Tarry Internship Award. This year, internships will beheld throughout August.

ApplicationsProspective participants of the workshop or the student internship are invited todownload the application form (Adobe Acrobat Reader required) at http://www.birdscanada.org/download/yowappl.pdf or request an application form:Long Point Bird ObservatoryBox 160, Port Rowan, Ontario N0E 1M0Fax: (519) 586-3532E-mail: [email protected]

Applications are due 30 April.

The Young Ornithologist Workshop and Internship is supported by Bird StudiesCanada’s Doug Tarry Natural History Fund. Additional support has been providedthrough a special grant from Canada’s Natural Sciences and Engineering ResearchCouncil’s (NSERC) “PromoScience” program for young scientists.

SK PCAP Focus Group s

Reprinted from SK PCAP January 2012 E-newsletter

Native prairie conservation fromfive different angles.

Did you know...SK PCAP(Saskatchewan PrairieConservation Action Plan) hasFIVE different focus groups thatwelcome ANY individual,organization or agency who has an interest in the topic?

Our five focus groups are listed below, along with their general focus:1) At Home on the Prairiea. Focus: Educationb. Lead: Natasha Wilkie (PCAP),Phone: (306) 352-0472,E-mail: [email protected]

2) Prospering with Prairiea. Focus: Sustainable Land Use and Developmentb. Lead: Shelley Heidinger (SaskPower),Phone: (306) 634-9771,E-mail: [email protected]

3) Caring for Prairiea. Focus: Invasive Alien Plant Speciesb. Lead: Chet Neufeld (Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan),Phone: (306) 668-3940,E-mail: [email protected]

4) Accounting for Prairiea. Focus: Ecological Goods & Servicesb. Lead: Chuck Deschamps (Ducks Unlimited Canada),Phone: (306) 338-3677 ext.3,E-mail: [email protected]

5) A Working Prairiea. Focus: Grazing Managementb. Lead: Natasha Wilkie (PCAP),Phone: (306) 352-0472,E-mail: [email protected]

Each month we will highlight one of our focus groups, including what they havebeen up to in the past year or new initiatives they are aware of. You can also learnmore about each group by going to the SK PCAP website and reviewing the 2012Action Plan at: http://www.pcap-sk.org/.

If you are interested in learning even more about these focus groups or becominga member, please contact either the focus group lead or the SK PCAP office at(306)352-0472 or [email protected].

Lynn OliphantReprinted from Yellowhead Flyway Birding Trail Association September 2012Newsletter

For the novice hawk-watcher, the various “types and terms” applied to the diurnal(daytime-hunter) birds of prey are often confusing: eagles, hawks, buzzards,falcons, harriers, accipiters, short-wings, long-wings. In comparison, the night-hunters are relatively simple; they are all “owls”. So what distinguishes falconsas a group from other birds of prey?

There are several characteristics that can be used to identify the true falcons,birds belonging to the genus “Falco”. First is the wing shape. These are thebirds with long, rather narrow, pointed wings rather than the rounded wing profilesfound in most other birds of prey. They are built for high speed, aerial pursuit astheir prey often consists of other birds. Up close they exhibit a dark chocolate toblack iris while most other groups have lighter coloured eyes, often bright yellowor even red. Look closer and you will notice a “tooth” in the upper beak which isabsent in the other groups.

Here in Saskatchewan, we have five species of falcons. The Kestrel is thesmallest and most colourful with a highly-patterned head and reddish backgroundcolour, with males having blue wings. The Merlin is larger and more subdued incolor, about the size of a pigeon. The other three are considered “large falcons”.The light brown Prairie Falcon is the most common nester and is often seen inthe southern part of the province where it nests in holes in cliffs along ourwaterways. The Peregrine is about the same size but darker in colour, youngbeing dark brown and adults being dark blue on the back.

The only known nestingpairs have been thoseintroduced into thecities of Saskatoon andRegina, although wehave many arcticmigrants in spring andfall. The Gyrfalcon,which is the largest ofthe genus, varies fromwhite to black in colour,and is a winter visitorfrom its home in thearctic.

The large falcons areconsidered the fastestanimals on the planet and can reach speeds of several hundred kilometres perhour when in pursuit of prey. Esteemed as hunting birds by nobility through theages, they have accompanied many historic figures ranging from Ghengis Khanto Mary Queen of Scots. To see one of these dashing birds in pursuit of their preyis an unforgettable experience for someone who loves birds.

Falcon Fact s

Lynn Oliphant with a Peregrine Falcon. Photocourtesy of Yellowhead Flyway Birding TrailAssociation.



Government of Saskatchewan Press Release, December 17, 2012

Environment Minister Ken Cheveldayoff today announced funding of $75,000 toCleanFARMS Inc. to support the work necessary to develop an industry-ledprogram for the recycling of agricultural plastics. These materials include suchitems as plastic grain bags, plastic twine, silage bags and bale wrap.

“As the agricultural industry grows in Saskatchewan, we see a growing need toexpand recycling programs to incorporate agricultural plastics,” Cheveldayoff said.“The pilot program funded by the Ministry of Agriculture and operated by theProvincial Council of Agriculture Development and Diversification Boards has seenapproximately 83,300 kilograms of plastic recycled alone in the past two years.With the support of Saskatchewan producers, I am confident that expanding thisprogram will further protect our environment.”

Currently, agricultural producers have very few options available to properly handleand dispose of these plastic materials. The move toward this new programsupports the province’s Plan for Growth in the agricultural sector by looking forinnovative ways to reduce the pressure on local infrastructure.

The Saskatchewan Agricultural Stewardship Council (SASC) made up of

Funding Announced for Development of Agricultural Plastics Recycling Program in Saskatchewan

representatives from the agricultural industry and formed under the CleanFARMSumbrella has been tasked to develop and implement an agricultural plasticsrecycling program.

“The agricultural industry is pleased to be working with the Government ofSaskatchewan and farmers in the province to develop an environmentally-responsible and cost-effective program to recycle agricultural plastics,” SASCChair Trevor Carlson said.

A pilot program in certain areas of the province has been underway since 2011,which has been funded by government through the Ministry of Agriculture andadministered by the Provincial Council of Agriculture Development and DiversificationBoards.

“A provincial agricultural plastics recycling program will offer consistent access torecycling and further divert recyclables from municipal landfills,” Cheveldayoff said.“Municipalities that operate rural landfills are looking for opportunities to divertmaterials in order to extend the life of their landfills and measures like a provincialagricultural plastics recycling program can aid those efforts as well.”

CleanFARMS is a non-profit industry stewardship organization committed toenvironmental responsibility through the proper management of agricultural waste.

Kimberly J. Epp

“W ild Animals and Their Young”“If you Care, Leave it There!”

Springtime is here,and as we encroachmore and more ontowild habitats we maycome across babyanimals that appearto be on their own.As quoted by theCanadian WildlifeService, “If YouCare, Leave itThere”, is usuallythe best advice tofollow…but what ifthe animal is reallyorphaned and is inobvious need ofhelp…or what if atiny, helpless birdaccidentally fell out

of its nest? There are times when a little human intervention can be the differencebetween life and death for a tiny little creature. Knowing whether or not to interveneis, however, often the most difficult part.

For a baby bird, you must first determine whether or not it is a fledgling and justlearning to fly. Its parents help it to learn how to fly, so please do not ‘rescue’ itif you see it has any feathers. It may not be flying at the time, but that doesn’tmean the parents have forgotten about it. They will still feed it even though it mayno longer be in their nest, and they are still very protective of all of their babies.This may take 1-3 days after the baby bird first jumps out of the nest before it canfly on its own. It is the process that every baby bird must go through to becomean adult bird. If you are unsure, call the wildlife hotline at (306) 242-7177.‘Rescuing’ these fledging baby birds may not have a happy ending as it is a timein their lives when they are least likely to eat food offered by humans and so theyusually do not survive. Of course living in the wild is dangerous, and a predatorcould be lurking around the corner, seeing this as easy prey. But, unless yousee any immediate danger, please allow the wild to remain wild whenever possible- which is also the main goal of the Wildlife Rehabilitation Society of Saskatchewan.If the baby bird has no feathers, or so few that it couldn’t possibly be learning tofly, and if it is in the direct sun, then some intervention may be done. You can, ifpossible, get a ladder and place the baby bird back into its nest.

You may have been told as a child that once you touch a baby bird, its parentswill abandon it. That is not true, but still watch for confirmation of the parent’sreturn - at a good distance so that you do not scare the parents. If you find a nestthat has fallen out of the tree, and it is still in good shape, you can return it to asturdy fork in the tree. A plastic container with drainage holes cut into the bottomwill make for easier placement. Again, and at a distance, watch for confirmationof the parent’s return. You can also place a bowl full of ‘nesting material’ nearbyfor the adults to use to rebuild their nests – soft material will help line the nestand keep the eggs or baby birds warm. Short pieces of yarn, fur brushed off froma pet or balls of cotton can be used. If the nests are near any of your windows,remember to place decals on them so the birds – especially those fledglings thatare just learning how to fly - do not fly into them.

An important point to remember is that unless you are a licensed wildlife rehabilitatorit is actually illegal for you to take a wild animal home. Unlike human babies,animal babies are often left on their own as the parent(s) find food. This is especiallytrue with mammals. Many people think they are doing a kind deed when in factthey are doing the exact opposite. A tiny fawn, for instance, lying camouflaged inthe grass has been licked scentless by its nearby foraging mother. Leave it be.Hiding is the fawn’s way of protecting itself until it is grown – its dotted pattern onits body help it to do so. If a baby animal is taken in by anyone but a licensedrehabber it can become tame and then very difficult to release back into the wild.Rehabbers care for them in a way that allows them to remain wild and be releasedback into the wild. Here are two stories from the Saskatoon Zoo Society on howtwo of their outreach animals came to be – and why they could no longer bereleased back to the wild.

If you have been to the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo you may have seenGeorgia the porcupine and Farley the fox. Someone thought they were doing thebaby porcupine (porcupette) Georgia, a favor by taking her in, although her motherwas likely not far away. But she wasn’t brought to a wildlife rehabber; she wasinstead kept for two months as a pet. After two months it was realized that aporcupine does not make a good pet, so she was then brought to the SaskatoonZoo Society. She was too tame to be released back to the wild, so she wastaken in as an outreach animal. But a life of captivity is not a perfect ending. Andto be released to the wild after being cared for as if a pet, she would have likelysought human companionship – and then very likely would have been shot. Shewill never have to worry about food and shelter…but unfortunately she will alsonever know what it is like to climb a real tree, find a mate, or have her own babyporcupette. Remember; if you care leave it there!

Two to three-week old Farley had been found on a highway near North Battlefordin 2000. He had crawled out of his den when a family travelling to Fort McMurraypicked him up. They figured he was a lost puppy. Upon their return to NorthBattleford several days later, they brought Farley to a veterinarian. They werethen informed that what they had was not a puppy, but rather a red fox kit. Knowingthey could not keep a fox kit, they approached the Saskatoon Zoo. Assumingthe kit had lost its fear of humans, it was decided that he would become a memberof the zoo outreach team. In Farley’s early years, he travelled to schools, naturecentres and libraries, educating people about fox ecology and the environment.Later as an adult, he was no longer suitable as an outreach animal and insteadbecame a member of the Zoo Society’s on-site education programs. This iswhere he still is today twelve years later – the approximate full lifespan of a fox inthe wild. Although he has helped to educate many people, especially children,over the last twelve years, he probably had parents that were still alive, wonderingwhere he had gone.

Determining whether or not a baby wild animal is orphaned is the most importantthing. But what do you do if you have determined, beyond a doubt, that it is infact orphaned?

Note first where you have found the orphaned wild animal so that, if possible, itcan later be returned to the same area. Because many animals (even babies)can carry rabies, such as foxes, raccoons and bats, use extreme caution andwear leather gloves before any handling. Place the animal in a box that has air-holes punched into the top and is lined with newspaper or towels. Keep the boxclosed and dark so as not to further stress out the animal. Do not make any loudnoises. Do not allow children to handle or stare at the animal as this will alsocause further stress. Never give water or food to a baby bird or cow’s milk to amammal. Call the wildlife hotline to find out the location of the nearest licensedwildlife rehabilitator. The number for the Wildlife Rehabilitation Society ofSaskatchewan is (306) 242-7177. The website is www.wrsos.org. Let’s all doour part, and help to keep Saskatchewan’s wildlife wild.

Discovering Nature...Beyond Your Backyard

Kim Epp with adult Farley. Photo courtesy of Kim Epp.



Canadian Wildlife Federation, December 13, 2012,http://www.cwf-fcf.org/en/about-cwf/media-centre/releases/canadians-expect-strong.html

Canadians overwhelmingly support a strong Federal government commitment toprotecting species at risk in Canada no matter where they are found and regardlessof their status in other countries.

The vast majority of Canadians view protecting Canada’s endangered animalsand plants as an important issue (97%) and feel that the Federal government’scurrent commitment to the protection and recovery of Canada’s species at riskshould be maintained or strengthened (96%), according to a new Ipsos Reid pollreleased today.

Reports from Canada’s Environment Minister, the Honourable Peter Kent, regardingpotential changes to the Species at Risk Act raised concerns that the Act couldbe substantially weakened. The Ipsos Reid poll, commissioned by the CanadianWildlife Federation, was designed to gauge the value Canadians place onprotecting our at-risk species.

A large majority (85%) of Canadians agree that federal laws protecting speciesat risk are essential to the diversity and abundance of wildlife, which in turn arecrucial to our economy and health. Only a small percentage of Canadians(15%) feel these laws negatively impact the economy and reduce job growth.

“It is clear from the poll results that Canadians believe a strong economy can bemaintained while continuing to protect our wildlife. In fact, only 3% of Canadiansfeel that industry should be unrestricted by the need to protect species at risk,”says James Pagé, Species at Risk Specialist for the Canadian Wildlife Federation.

When it comes to whether Canadians value some at-risk species more thanothers, the poll found that Canadians expect a commitment to protecting allspecies at risk in Canada, regardless of whether they happen to be abundantoutside of our borders (77%).

A recent decision by the federal government to not protect three species (CoastManroot, Laura’s Clubtail and Four-leaved Milkweed) included the argument thatsince they do not occur on federal lands, they do not require federal protection.

“The vast majority of Canadians would not support that argument. Only 8% thinkthat the Act should only apply to species found on federal lands,” says Pagé.“This decision raises concern that the federal government may be looking to stepback from its responsibility of providing federal oversight for all species at risk inCanada.” “This poll shows that Canadians care deeply about the state of ourendangered wildlife and they expect the Federal government to play a lead role inprotecting these species,” says Pagé. “Any review of the Species at Risk Actand its implementation should be done with an aim to improve recovery efforts forour most vulnerable species. We understand the federal government is lookingfor efficiency in delivering on species at risk protection, but this must beaccomplished without compromising on the outcomes for Canada’s at-riskspecies.”

What Canadians expect from the Federal Government:

• The federal government should not decrease their current efforts for speciesat risk. Only 4% of Canadians think that the federal government is doing toomuch and should step back their current efforts. 96% want to see the federalgovernment do at least as much (34%) or more (62%) for species at risk.

• The federal government should either maintain or increase its current financialinvestment in species at risk (92%). Only 8% of Canadians think fewerresources should be invested in species at risk by the federal government.

• Over half (52%) of Canadians believe the federal government must bear theprimary responsibility of protecting and recovering species at risk.

• Over three quarters (77%) of people think that scientific advice should takeprecedence in decisions regarding species at risk. Within this, 62% believeeconomic considerations should carry some weight.

• Canadians (74%) do not want to see business operate at the expense ofspecies at risk and (85%) think that the current law protecting species at riskare in fact crucial to our economy and health.

• There is little support (only 8%) for the Species at Risk Act to be restricted toonly apply to lands under federal jurisdiction. Three in five Canadians (59%)think the federal Act should apply to all lands in Canada including provincialand privately owned land.

• Canada needs to be responsible for all our species at risk regardless ofwhether or not they occur in the United States (78%). Only 16% of Canadiansthink that the federal government should not protect a species at risk in Canadaif it is common elsewhere.

• The majority of Canadians (74%) believe that businesses should only operatein a way that does not harm species at risk. In fact, almost no Canadians(3%) believe that industry should be unrestricted by the need to protect speciesat risk.

The poll was carried out between November 2nd and November 6th to gauge thepublic’s opinions around key issues with respect to species at risk in Canada. Asample of 1005 Canadians was surveyed using Ipsos’ standardized online panel.Weighting was used to ensure a balanced demographic representing the adultpopulation in Canada. The precision of Ipsos online polls is measured using acredibility interval. In this case, the poll is accurate to within +/- 3.5 percentagepoints had the entire Canadian adult population been surveyed. All sample surveysand polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited tocoverage error and measurement error.

CWF has a long history of working with species at risk, operating the leadingnon-government program of its type in Canada. CWF supports researchers andon-the-ground action through the largest funding program in Canada outside ofgovernment, providing $500,000 per year to enable key research on at-risk species.

Download the survey here:http://www.cwf-fcf.org/en/about-cwf/media-centre/releases/ipsos-factum-2012-12-12.pdf

Canadians expect strong Federal leadership on protecting species at risk

Reprinted from ScienceDaily May 28, 2012 E-newsletter

As gardeners get busy filling tubs and borders with colourful bedding plants,scientists at the Universities of Bristol and Cambridge have discovered moreabout what makes flowers attractive to bees rather than humans. Publishedtoday in the British Ecological Society’s journal Functional Ecology, their researchreveals that Velcro-like cells on plant petals play a crucial role in helping beesgrip flowers – especially when the wind gets up.

The study focuses on special cells found on the surface of petals, whose stunningstructure is best seen under an electron microscope. According to lead author,Dr. Beverley Glover: “Many of our common garden flowers have beautiful conicalcells if you look closely – roses have rounded conical petal cells while petuniashave really long cells, giving petunia flowers an almost velvety appearance,particularly visible in the dark-coloured varieties.”

Glover’s group previously discovered that when offered snapdragons with conicalcells and a mutant variety without these cells, bees prefer the former becausethe conical cells help them grip the flower.

“It’s a bit like Velcro, with the bee claws locking into the gaps between the cells,”she explains.

Compared with many garden flowers, however, snapdragons have very complicatedflowers; bees have to land on a vertical face and pull open a heavy lip to reach thenectar so Glover was not surprised that grip helps. But she wanted to discoverhow conical cells help bees visiting much simpler flowers.

“Many of our garden flowers like petunias, roses and poppies are very simplesaucers with nectar in the bottom, so we wanted to find out why having conicalcells to provide grip would be useful for bees landing on these flowers. Wehypothesised that maybe the grip helped when the flowers blow in the wind.”

Using two types of petunia, one with conical cells and a mutant line with flatcells, Glover let a group of bumblebees that had never seen petunias beforeforage in a large box containing both types of flower, and discovered they toopreferred the conical-celled flowers.

They then devised a way of mimicking the way flowers move in the wind. “Weused a lab shaking platform that we normally use to mix liquids, and put theflowers on that. As we increased the speed of shaking, mimicking increasedwind speed, the bees increased their preference for the conical-celled flowers,”she says.

Dr. Heather Whitney from the University of Bristol, and one of the co-authors onthe paper, says that new ways of looking at the interactions between plants andpollinators are showing the ways in which plants can enhance their own chancesof being pollinated by helping their pollinators forage more successfully. “Havingto land on a moving surface will increase how difficult it is for bees to forage. Bygiving their pollinators a surface that increases their grip, flowers are helping boththeir pollinators and in the long-run also themselves.”

Katrina Alcorn, Heather Whitney and Beverley Glover (2012). ‘Flower movementincreases pollinator preference for flowers with better grip’, doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2435.2012.02009.x is published in Functional Ecology on Tuesday 29 May 2012.

Blowing in the wind: how hidden flower features are crucial for bees



Nature Saskatchewan Thanks These GenerousDonors

New Life MembershipsJoan FeatherDavid KlattHarvey & Brenda Schmidt

Memorial DonationsIn memory of John R. Carter

Albert & Joan Dalziel(donation to LastMountain BirdObservatory)

In memory of Richard H. Carter Sr.Albert & Joan Dalziel(donation to Last MountainBird Observatory)

In memory of Richard H. Carter Jr.Albert & Joan Dalziel(donation to Last MountainBird Observatory)

Nature Saskatchewan GeneralProgramsNancy AllanLeverne BaxterP. Lawrence BeckieAndrew BelykDoug H. BockingMike BrayRandy ChapmanEwen CoxworthMatthew DippleLorne DuczekRuth J. EnglundGlen A. FoxGord HammellGerald HeinrichsScott HendersS. Gayl HippersonDale & Paule HjertaasAnne Marie & Brian IrvingGwen JamiesonMurray KeithRon & Gerri KnudsenBill & Audrey MacKenzieLynn & Helen McCaslinG.A. McLeodAndrew & Shelley McKinlayDon & Gale MetherellLee & Mack MillerYvonne NelsonDora NicholsBruce NotonDiether PeschkenAlison PhilipsJack L. PickeringChristine PikeDavid PowellDavid PunterLouanne ReidJohn RobinsonTrish SantoFrank ScottLorne ScottDonald J. StilesMr. Richard StaniforthElaine StuttIvor & Orca ThokleMarion TolleyEdward TymchatynMichael TyrrellGlenn & Nayda VeemanW.J. WalleyWolfgang WalzHarold R. Wilkinson

Margaret Skeel GraduateStudent Scholarship Fund Diether Peschken

Grasslands Trust FundBernard De VriesHarvey JohnsonRoberta KeithRandy LundyJim PaulMarion PerryEric G. PullmanFreda SchuettKatharine SchulzRon Volden

Last Mountain Bird ObservatoryRon & Val AndrewsCheryl AndristMary ChristieAlbert & Joan DalzielC. Stuart HoustonMary I. HoustonPhyllis IlsleyGwen KlebeckDiether PeschkenAlison PhilipsEric G. PullamKatharine Schulz

Donations to Nature Legacy FundHarvey JohnsonEric G. PullamSharon Walker

Bird Species at Risk ProgramsMary ChristieHonor KeverMildred L’EstrangeRod MacDonaldEric G. PullamKatharine SchulzRobert Warnock

Turtle Lake Nature SanctuaryMuriel CarlsonPaul CoutuKae WatersMichael G. Williams

Nature Savings Plan ContributorsKeith BellLori CaronJoseph & Sylvia ChorneyLouise & Dave CookDr. Yvonne G. CuttleRev Suzanne EdgarGwen GordonChristina HavardJocelyn HextallIna HillGary HowlandA. R. IversonJohanna & Ken JensenOlaf JensenRon & Julie JensenKen KingdonTom LawtonRobert J. LongDeena McNicholAlison PhilipsJulianna M. RobinLyle SaigeonCandace SavageDanna SchockMargaret SkeelHellen TaylorHank VanderpolGuy WapplePattie Wilkinson

Nature Saskatchewan Thanks These Funders forTheir Generous Contributions to Our Programs in

2012-2013

These are the funders that make all of our programs and services possible. Wecould not do our work to protect habitat and species in Saskatchewan withoutthem. We deal only with funders that permit us to work in the best interests ofNature Saskatchewan, and nature in Saskatchewan. Acceptance of fundingdoes not in any way imply endorsement by Nature Saskatchewan.

Nature Saskatchewan Member ServicesSaskCulture

Important Bird AreasNature CanadaSaskatchewan Ministry of Environment - Fish and Wildlife Development FundSaskPowerSaskEnergy

Last Mountain Bird ObservatoryEnvironment Canada - Canadian Wildlife ServiceSaskEnergySaskatchewan Ministry of Environment - Fish and Wildlife Development FundSaskPowerBird Studies CanadaMurray and Edna Forbes FoundationPat Barry Family Fund

Nature QuestParks, Culture and Sport - Community Initiatives Fund (CIF)SaskCulture - Capacity Building Grant (CBG)SaskEnergy

Linking CommunitiesNature Canada/BirdLife International

Robert Bateman “Get to Know” ContestWalmart

Inner NatureSaskCulture - Multicultural Initiatives Fund (MIF)SaskCulture - Multicultural Development Fund (MCDF)

PlantWatchSaskPower

Saskatchewan Conservation Data CentreNature Serve CanadaSaskatchewan Ministry of Environment

Stewards of Saskatchewan:Operation Burrowing Owl, Shrubs for Shrikes, Plovers on Shore, RarePlant RescueUS Fish and Wildlife Service – Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation ActProgramSaskatchewan Ministry of Environment - Fish and Wildlife Development FundSaskPowerSaskTelShellMountain Equipment Co-opJamieson VitaminsELSA CanadaTD Friends of the Environment FoundationSaskatchewan Environmental Industry and Managers AssociationGovernment of Canada – Science Horizons Youth Internship ProgramGovernment of Canada - HRSDC Canada Summer JobsSaskatchewan Ministry of Environment - Conservation Data Centre

Greater Sage Grouse ProjectSaskatchewan Ministry of Environment

Wascana Marsh Nature ProjectTD Friends of the Environment

Nature Saskatchewan Welcomes These NewMembers

Erica AlexBob & Dayle ArmstrongKen & Dolores CrawfordIan Glass – Ducks Unlimited CanadaDeb EnglandDenise & Keith GirouxNancy KennedyRandy Lundy

Carol MeszarosFrances MundyYvonne NelsonClint RousseauxLisa SandhuJack Wilkinson

Humanity in Harmony with Nature


Nature Saskatchewan’ s Websitewww.naturesask.ca

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Nature Regina Field T rips

Please note: Field trips could be cancelled or postponed due to bad weather; ifyou are in doubt as to whether a field trip will go ahead or not, please call Laurenat 584-1171. We encourage carpooling on field trips. There is no charge otherthan to share gasoline costs. Estimated share of gas is assuming four peopleper vehicle; please confirm with your driver. (Note: RSM is the RoyalSaskatchewan Musuem at the corner of Albert Street and College Avenue inRegina. All Nature Regina events are scent-free events)

Saturday , March 2: Crescent sThis area with mature trees on the north side of the creek in the neighbourhoodof Angus and Leopold Crescents and Robinson and Retallack Streets may beproductive in terms of winter birds. The area’s large spruce can have winterfinches. There should be some bird feeders in the area.Time: 9:30 am - 11:30 am.Meet at the RSM parking lot

Saturday , March 16: Dieppe Place & A.E. Wilson ParkWe’ll walk up and down the streets and alleys of Dieppe Place and check outA.E. Wilson Park looking for winter birds.Leader: Brett QuiringTime: 9:30 am - 11:00 am.Meet at the RSM parking lot a 9:15 am or at Dieppe School parking lot, 145Dorothy Street, at 9:30 am.

If anyone has comments or suggestions regarding field trips, please call Laurenat 584-1171. Please note there is a shortage of leaders for birding field trips.

Athabasca Sand Dunes Wilderness Ecology Camp July 7-12, 2013 with GregFenty and Melanie Elliott $2,050.

You will receive your own copy of The Sand Dunes of Lake Athabasca by PeterJonker and Stan Rowe at the Info night s Thursday, February 28, 2013 andThursday, March 26, 2013 7-8:30 PM Room 306, 221 Cumberland Avenue North,Saskatoon.

Waterton Lakes National Park Sept 15-20 with Melanie Elliott $1,180.

Churchill MB Polar Bear Ecology T our with Dr Susan Blum Nov 7-14, $2,495adult, $2,195 child under 12 years.

For more info- visit ccde.usask.ca/edtours or phone 306-966-5539.

Nature Saskatchewan is now on Facebookand Twitter!

Nature Saskatchewan is now on Facebook and Twitter! To find us, search“Nature Saskatchewan” on Facebook, and “NatureSask” on Twitter. Thereare also links to these pages on our website. We hope you’ll follow us!

Winter Birding Contest 2012/2013

Get Bird Active this winter! Go for walks around your area, drive throughout ourbeautiful province, check out bird hotlines and look for the winter rarities, or justlook out your windows into your yard. Keep a Saskatchewan winter bird list of allyour findings and then share your list with others. Enter your list in 25th AnnualNature Saskatchewan Winter Birding Contest. The contest runs from December1st to February 28th. Send entries to Boyd Metzler, Box 126, Whitewood, SK.S0G 5C0 or email to [email protected] by March 15, 2013. For moreinformation contact Boyd Metzler at 306-735-2380.

Prairie Conservation Conference

The 10th Prairie Conservation and Endangered Species Conference (http://www.pcesc.ca/) will be held in Red Deer, Alberta, from February 19-22, 2013. Thismajor North American conference is held every three years, rotating between Alberta,Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. The conference will bring together decision-makers,researchers, consultants, industry representatives, community and grassrootsgroups, farmers, ranchers, First Nations, and other private citizens who have aninterest in sustaining prairie ecosystems.

Alberta Prairie Conservation Forum and the Alberta Society of ProfessionalBiologists will jointly host the conference, with the 2013 theme Engaging PeopleIn Conservation. Bird Studies Canada is proud to be among the sponsors of thisevent, and to support prairie conservation and endangered species management.

Nature V iews - Nature Saskatchewan · Publication Mail Agreement # 40063014 Postage Paid in Regina...

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