SASKATCHEWAN PROCLAIMS NATIVE PRAIRIE APPRECIATION WEEK 2007

Agriculture and Food Minister Mark Wartman and Environment Minister John Nilson have jointly proclaimed June 17 - 23 as Saskatchewan's 9th annual Native Prairie Appreciation Week.

The week is an opportunity for Saskatchewan people to recognize and celebrate the value of native prairie. The Prairie Conservation Action Plan (PCAP) organizes Native Prairie Appreciation Week each year.

"Saskatchewan has 12.7-million acres of rangeland. This is one of the largest areas of natural grasslands in Canada," Wartman said. "The provincial government has worked with the agricultural sector and others to manage both private and publicly owned-resources to the benefit of the livestock industry. This co-operative effort seeks to maintain the ecological contributions that rangelands provide."

"The native prairie is home to many species of plants, animals, birds and insects that cannot be found elsewhere in the province," Nilson said. "The members of the Prairie Conservation Action Plan are working to conserve our remaining native prairie, which is an important part of our cultural and environmental heritage. This initiative contributes to the environmental health and economic productivity of our province."

"The reduction of native prairie concerns many sectors of society, including environmentalists, the ranching industry and outdoor enthusiasts," PCAP chair Michael Burgess said. "Native Prairie Appreciation Week showcases co-operation between ranchers and conservation groups on stewardship and education toward the sustainable management of Saskatchewan's native prairie. The annual highlight of the week, the Society for Range Management (SRM) Workshop and Field Tour, will be a great event again this year."

The SRM workshop will be held June 20-21 at Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park. Entitled Discovering the Cypress Hills, the workshop features speakers and ranch tours, the annual native plant identification challenge and instruction in the methodology that's being developed to assess riparian health.

For information or to register, visit PCAP's website at www.pcap-sk.org, or phone PCAP at 306-352-0472.

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For more information, contact:

Michael Burgess
Prairie Conservation Action Plan
Big Beaver
Phone: 306-267-4987

Karyn Scalise
Prairie Conservation Action Plan
Regina
Phone: 306-352-0472

Scott Brown
Agriculture and Food
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4031

Art Jones
Environment
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5796