SASKATCHEWAN PROCLAIMS NATIVE PRAIRIE APPRECIATION WEEK 2006

Agriculture and Food Minister Mark Wartman and Environment Minister John Nilson have jointly proclaimed June 18th - 24th as Native Prairie Appreciation Week (NPAW). NPAW is an opportunity for the Saskatchewan public, especially ranchers, naturalists, hunters, educators and resource agency specialists, to celebrate the diverse values of native prairie.

"Native prairie provides a key grazing resource to many Saskatchewan livestock producers, who are proven stewards of the land," Wartman said. "When managed appropriately, native prairie provides a sustainable grazing resource, and is a defining element of Saskatchewan's unique landscape. Saskatchewan producers undertake conservation practices in order to preserve native prairie grassland and have done so for more than 100 years. These conservation activities are important to the environment and are related to the environmental chapter of the Agricultural Policy Framework."

"Our remaining natural prairie is home to many species of plants, animals, birds and other creatures," Nilson said. "It is also an important part of our cultural and environmental heritage. The work of the members of the Prairie Conservation Action Plan has contributed to the environmental health and economic productivity of the prairies and is one of the best examples of an effective multi-partner, co-operative conservation initiative in North America."

Michael Burgess, Chair of the Prairie Conservation Action Plan (PCAP) which organizes NPAW, says the reduction of native prairie concerns many sectors of society, including environmentalists, the ranching industry and outdoor enthusiasts.

"Saskatchewan is the only province in Canada with a week dedicated to raising awareness and appreciation of native prairie, one of the most endangered ecosystems in Canada," Burgess said. "In Saskatchewan, only 17 per cent of the original grassland habitat is left, and it is threatened by several factors: tillage, urban expansion, industrial activity and exotic species invasion."

Burgess said the highlight of NPAW is the Society for Range Management (SRM) Workshop and Field Tour. This year, the workshop will be held June 21st-22nd at Beechy and is entitled Discovering the Matador Grasslands. The workshop features speakers and ranch tours, the annual native plant identification challenge, and instruction in the methodology that's being developed to assess range health. For information or to register, visit PCAP's website at www.pcap-sk.org, or phone PCAP at (306) 352-0472. Workshop partners include SRM, Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Saskatchewan Watershed Authority, Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), the University of Saskatchewan, and PCAP. The workshop is funded by AAFC's Greencover Canada program.

PCAP's five-year action plan, 2003-2008, addresses conservation and management issues of native aquatic and terrestrial habitats within Saskatchewan's Prairie Eco-zone. PCAP's membership of 27 partners is chaired by the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association. The partnership features representation from industry, federal and provincial agricultural and conservation agencies, non-government organizations, and Saskatchewan's two universities. PCAP's vision is that Saskatchewan's native prairie be sustained in a healthy state in which natural and human values are respected.

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For More Information, Contact:

Scott Brown Agriculture and Food Regina Phone: (306) 787-4031	Art Jones Environment Regina Phone: (306) 787-5796
Karyn Scalise PCAP Regina Phone: (306) 352-0472	Michael Burgess PCAP Big Beaver Phone: (306) 267-4987