HABITAT STEWARDSHIP IN SASKATCHEWAN 2007-2008
 
 

Goals and Objectives

  • Breeding habitat for Northern Pintail and other waterfowl will be created, enhanced and secured in 12 year agreements through voluntary, cost-shared projects with local farmers and ranchers.
  • Projects will be targeted using Saskatchewan North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP) Target Areas.
  • Habitat projects will focus on cropland conversion to perennial forage.

Activities

  • Habitat securement through 12 year conservation agreements with private landowners to implement cooperative habitat conservation and enhancement projects.
  • Habitat conservation and enhancement including conversion of cropland to spring pasture and hayland seeded with native or non-invasive tame species.
  • Saskatchewan Watershed Authority (SWA) will refer landowners interested in easements to Nature Conservancy of Canada and Ducks Unlimited Canada, and landowners interested in wetland restoration to Ducks Unlimited Canada.
  • Voluntary stewardship agreements and provision of extension material to private landowners to influence management of native habitats.
  • Quantification of wetland loss rates in Northern Pintail Target Areas.

Specific Habitat Products/Results to be Supported by WHC’s Contributions

  • As part of the larger project, SWA estimates WHC’s contributions will support up to 44 projects converting 7,040 acres of cropland to native or non-invasive tame forage within NAWMP Target Areas. In addition, on some projects, the health of native prairie will be improved through deferred grazing.
  • SWA will quantify wetland loss in 1-2 NAWMP Target Areas using a sampling design intermediate between that of Environment Canada and Ducks Unlimited Canada, and assess the potential to extend this approach over the remainder of the Saskatchewan’s Prairie Potholes Region. To quantify wetland loss rates, SWA will utilize its library of 1950’s airphotos, and 2005 SPOT5 2m resolution satellite imagery.

Benefits to Wildlife

  • Ducks Unlimited Canada’s Waterfowl Productivity Model estimates achieving the Saskatchewan NAWMP habitat goals would result in an increase of 17,595 hatched dabbler nests and 6,072 hatched pintail nests annually. SWA estimates the current proposed project will convert a maximum of 7,040 acres of cropland to forage in these waterfowl target areas, which over the duration of the 12-year agreements are estimated to hatch over 18,480 dabbler ducklings and 4,750 Pintail ducklings. The number and area of wetlands to be conserved or restored cannot be estimated accurately given large variation in wetland densities and drainage rates at the quarter section scale.
  • Information on rates of wetland loss will enable refinement of the habitat goals produced by the Waterfowl Productivity Model for the Saskatchewan NAWMP Implementation Plan, enable targeting of wetland restoration projects, and aid in development of a PHJV wetland monitoring program. All of these outcomes benefit wildlife by improving program delivery.

Relevance to Habitat Planning, Decision Making and/or Management

  • Project activities contribute directly to the Saskatchewan NAWMP Habitat Goals, as well as habitat goals for shorebirds, landbirds, and waterbirds. Activities are also consistent with recommendations of local watershed planning groups concerned with source water protection, and local sporting groups concerned with game populations. The economic interests of landowners will benefit through modifications to their overall farm plan and operation that increase their profitability, sustainability, resilience to drought, etc. Other local industry will benefit economically from increased prosperity of local landowners.
  • Nature Conservancy of Canada and Ducks Unlimited Canada will benefit from referrals of landowners interested in conservation easements. Where SWA is converting cropland, Ducks Unlimited Canada will benefit from referrals of landowners interested in wetland restoration projects.
  • Prairie Habitat Joint Venture Partners and other conservation organizations and policy-makers will benefit from wetland loss data.

Project Location
The project locations include North Saskatchewan, Battle River, Eagle Creek, South Saskatchewan, Moose Jaw River, Swift Current Creek, Old Wives, Poplar River, and Frenchman River Watersheds. As well, the project will involve the Mixed Grassland, Moist-mixed Grassland and Aspen Parkland Ecoregions.

Please click here to view the project location map (pdf file).

Project Contact
For more information on this project, please contact Bob Carles, Vice-President, Stewardship Division, Saskatchewan Watershed Authority, Regina, Saskatchewan.