SASKATCHEWAN PROCLAIMS NATIVE PRAIRIE APPRECIATION WEEK 2008

Agriculture Minister Bob Bjornerud and Environment Minister Nancy Heppner have jointly proclaimed June 22 to 28 as Saskatchewan's 10th annual Native Prairie Appreciation Week.

The week is an opportunity for Saskatchewan people, especially ranchers, naturalists, hunters and educators, to recognize and celebrate the value of native prairie. It is organized annually by Saskatchewan's Prairie Conservation Action Plan (PCAP) and is the only week in North America that is devoted to raising awareness of native grasslands.

"Saskatchewan farmers and ranchers have always been good stewards of the land and managers of this valuable resource," Bjornerud said. "They have worked with the provincial and federal governments to ensure that native prairie grass continues to make an ecological contribution for generations to come."

"Saskatchewan's ranching industry plays a key role in providing important environmental services," Heppner said. "Properly managed grasslands contribute to biodiversity conservation by providing habitat for most of the province's species at risk and these rangelands also play a significant role in mitigating the effects of climate change."

"It is very significant that we are celebrating the 10th anniversary of Native Prairie Appreciation Week in Saskatchewan," rancher and PCAP chair Ray McDougald said. "It is an indication of the common ground shared by Saskatchewan's environmental and agricultural sectors and the co-operation that can be found between ranchers and conservation groups across the province. The annual highlight of the week, the Society for Range Management Workshop and Field Tour, will be a great event again this year."

The workshop will be held June 25 and 26 and will be based out of Esterhazy. Entitled Discovering the Eastern Qu'Appelle, the workshop features speakers and ranch tours, the annual native plant identification challenge and a number of hands-on natural history interpretive stations.

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

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For more information, contact:

Karyn Scalise
PCAP Manager
Regina
Phone: 306-352-0472

Ray McDougald
PCAP Chair
Maple Creek
Phone: 306-662-2963

Jenna Webb
Agriculture
Regina
Phone: 306-787-2359

Michele McEachern
Environment
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0412