A New Partnership to Conserve Saskatchewan Grasslands:
Community Pasture Teams Up with Nature Conservancy of Canada
REGINA, January 20, 2015. – The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) in Saskatchewan and Lone Tree Community Pasture shareholders signed a pilot partnership agreement to work together to develop a guide for future management and long term conservation of community pastures. After more than 75 years of conservation management by Canada`s federal community pasture system, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is transferring these pastures to Saskatchewan.
Under this agreement, NCC staff in Saskatchewan will work with Lone Tree’s community pasture manager and shareholders to develop best practices for pasture management and long term land conservation. In efforts to balance livestock production with long term conservation, it is hoped this partnership will help foster rapport with other community pasture shareholders and NCC staff.
NCC will include the advice and best practices of Lone Tree’s management of the 33,697 acres (13,637 ha) of community pasture along with NCC conservation practices and techniques, and financially assist with the management of the pasture during 2015. This work may also help NCC guide the future conservation of other southern Saskatchewan community pastures and grasslands.
Best practices for pasture management will build on the knowledge that Lone Tree pasture managers and shareholders have gained over many years. Conservation actions and techniques that help sustain the diversity of plant, animal, bird and amphibian species, as well as the economic wellbeing of livestock producers and pasture management groups alike, will be included. The guide will help others conserve and sustain pasture grasslands similar to the Lone Tree pasture.
A management plan will be developed through face-to-face meetings with NCC staff, the Lone Tree pasture manager, and the Lone Tree shareholders prior to the 2015 grazing season. These best practices will be recorded, reviewed, revised and developed into a guide that can be shared with community pastures from Mankota to Midale, Valjean to Nokomis, McCraney to Good Spirit, and beyond.
QUOTES:
“This historical and significant pilot agreement helps pave the way for community pasture patrons and conservation-minded organizations like NCC to work together.” says Mark Wartman, Regional Vice President, NCC in Saskatchewan. “The goal is to conserve grasslands through effective pasture management over the long term across southern Saskatchewan. By working together through this precedent-setting agreement, improved grasslands conservation can be achieved.”
“It’s simple. We both (Lone Tree and NCC) want the same thing.” says Clint Christianson, spokesperson for Lone Tree community pasture shareholders. “We want this land to be at least as healthy and functional well into the future! And I want my kids—and their children—to enjoy this land, just like it is now. Our partnership with NCC is a strong first step in reaching this goal.”
FACTS:
- In Saskatchewan alone, the Nature Conservancy of Canada has conserved over 140,000 acres (57,000 ha) of ecologically significant lands through land donation, purchase and conservation agreement, in partnership with governments, corporations and other organizations.
- 1.8 million acres in 62 of Canada`s federal community pastures are being transferred from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to the Government of Saskatchewan.
- Lone Tree community pasture involves 15 shareholders who collectively graze 1130 head of cattle.
- NCC partners with landowners through grazing leases and provides public access on-foot-only on all NCC properties in Saskatchewan.
- Through its Natural Areas Conservation Program and its Habitat Stewardship Program, the Government of Canada to date has supported NCC conservation of almost 34,000 acres (13,760 ha) in Saskatchewan.
- NCC is working with the Government of Saskatchewan, SaskEnergy, Encana, K+S Potash, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and now with Lone Tree community pasture and others for long term land conservation in Saskatchewan.
- Eighty-three per cent of contributions to NCC go directly to on-the-ground conservation of Canada’s natural spaces and wildlife, including species at risk. The NCC conserves land in perpetuity so your gift can literally last for ever.
- NCC owns and manages properties in many southern and central Saskatchewan communities around Eastend, Swift Current, Weyburn, Assiniboia, Carlyle, Shellbrook, Spiritwood, Mankota, The Battlefords and more.
ABOUT:
- The Nature Conservancy of Canada works with a broad range of organizations to advance long-term land conservation in Saskatchewan and throughout Canada.
- The Nature Conservancy of Canada is the nation’s leading land conservation organization, working to protect our most important natural areas and the species they sustain. Since 1962, NCC and its partners have helped to protect more than 2.7 million acres (1.1 million hectares), coast to coast, placing national perspective on great Saskatchewan work.
- An independent review of Canadian charities by Charity Intelligence Canada awarded top marks to the Nature Conservancy of Canada for charitable private land conservation in Canada (2014).
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