Our Resources page now contains maps of the pastures and links to provincial government documents on pasture transition. Also, check out the new video on the Videos page: a talk by Brant Kirychuk, Manager of Leasing and Sales, Lands Branch, Saskatchewan Agriculture, on March 19, 2014 on the pasture transition.
EARTH DAY: PRESERVE PASTURES FOR NATIVE SPECIES AND PEOPLE
REGINA, SK: Public Pastures – Public Interest is honouring Earth Day by publicly releasing a factsheet on Species at Risk on the PFRA pastures.
The pastures are home to over 30 officially designated Species at Risk – mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects and plants that are in danger of becoming extinct in Canada.
“Keeping the pasturelands public will help ensure that we can put provisions in place to maintain the habitat that preserves these species for future generations”, said Trevor Herriot, co-chair of PPPI.
The pastures also provide ecological benefits, such as carbon sequestration by the grasses and other plants, and filtering and purifying water.
And, the pastures are also important to people.
“In addition to cattle ranchers, residents of the province utilize and enjoy the use of the pastures”, said Lorne Scott, PPPI co- chair. “This includes hunters, photographers, First Nations, researchers and the general public on educational tours”.
“PFRA Community Pastures have been a significant asset to rural Saskatchewan for decades”, noted Herriot. “Detrimental effects to the pastures would mean that the way of life for the small ranchers, their families and communities is threatened. Privatizing the pastures could mean that First Nations people would not be able to access the lands for hunting and gathering that is their right on Crown lands,” noted Herriot. “In some ways the way of life for the ranchers and the people that practice an Indigenous traditional ways can also be considered at risk.”
“People and animals are part of an inter-related earth community. And the community pastures are a rare opportunity to protect wild species, ecosystems and local economies in a sustainable and healthy community.”
Further Information:
Public Pastures—Public Interest, public4pastures@gmail.com, cell 306-515-0460
Trevor Herriot, trevorherriot@gmail.com , home 306-585-1674
Lorne Scott, lorne.scott@sasktel.net , home 306-695-2047, cell 306-695-745
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