Conserving prairie grasslands in Saskatchewan

Sep 9, 2020 | 9:59 AM

The Saskatchewan and federal governments have made a $64 million land swap.

Environment Canada and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) will acquire 800 square kilometres of the Govenlock, Nashlyn and Battle Creek pastures in southwest Saskatchewan and manage them for the conservation of species at risk and migratory birds.

Livestock grazing mimics traditional disturbance by plains bison and maintains the health and quality of the grasslands.

In return, the province gets federal lands and fencing, barns, and corrals of equal value in 55 former federal community pastures which have transitioned to producer control.

Federal agriculture minister Marie-Claude Bibeau said the land will continue to be used for grazing.

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“I think it is a win-win situation,” Bibeau said. “We are moving forward to protect land so we were very happy to have this collaboration with the province, with the industry, with the ranchers.”

Bibeau said this exchange of land has environmental benefits.

“We want to have the control and protect our land and we will continue to make long term leases with the ranchers because having their animals grazing on this land also contributes to maintaining the bio-diversity and gas sequestration as well. So it’s great for all of us,” Bibeau said.

Ten species at risk includes Swift Fox, Sprague’s Pipit, Chestnut-collared Longspur, McCown’s Longspur, Greater Sage Grouse, Burrowing Owl, Ferruginous Hawk, Mountain Plover, Long-billed Curlew and Northern Leopard Frog.

Bibeau said it is part of the government’s environmental commitment.

“This aligns with the government’s objective to protect 25 per cent of the country’s land and oceans by 2025,” she said.

Ranchers can sign on for a long-term lease agreement with the government.

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alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF

by Alice McFarlane

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Conserving prairie grasslands in Saskatchewan

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