Conservation Conservation Projects Saskatchewan Habitat Stewardship in Saskatchewan 2009-10

Habitat Stewardship in Saskatchewan 2009-10

Habitat Stewardship in Saskatchewan Final Project Report 2009/2010 (pdf)

Goals and Objectives

Upland and wetland breeding habitats for Northern Pintail and other waterfowl will be restored and secured with minimum 12 year agreements through voluntary, cost-shared projects with local farmers and ranchers. The historic baseline inventory of wetland habitats established in 2007-2008 in the Lightning East Saskatchewan NAWMP Target Landscape was expanded in 2008-2009 and will continue through 2009-2010.

Activities

Project activities will consist of:

  • Upland and wetland habitat securement through 12 year conservation agreements with private landowners to implement cooperative habitat restoration, conservation and enhancement projects.
  • Upland habitat restoration consisting of conversion of cropland to spring pasture and hayland seeded with native or non-invasive tame species.
  • Wetland habitat restoration consisting of installation of plugs in drainage ditches to restore historic hydrologic conditions.
  • Saskatchewan Watershed Authority (SWA) will refer landowners interested in easements to Nature Conservancy of Canada and Ducks Unlimited Canada.
  • Voluntary stewardship agreements and provision of extension material to private landowners to influence management of native habitats.
  • The historic baseline wetland inventory will be spatially quantified in the Lightning East Saskatchewan NAWMP Target Area.

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 40 projects converting 7,000 acres of cropland to native or non-invasive tame forage, 180 wetland basins with associated upland conserved or restored within NAWMP Target Landscapes, and conservation easements where opportunities arises. In addition, on some projects the health of native prairie will be improved through deferred grazing.

SWA will quantify the historic baseline wetland inventory in approximately 3 townships of the Lightning East NAWMP Target Landscape utilizing 1962 air photos. Data from the current wetland inventory project in the Lower Souris River Watershed will be available for analysis and calculation of wetland loss beginning fall 2008.

Benefits to Waterfowl, Wetlands-Associated Species, and/or Other 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 7,000 acres of cropland to forage, and 180 basins restored in these waterfowl target areas, which over the duration of the 12-year agreements are estimated to hatch over 16,800 dabbler ducklings and 4,320 Pintail ducklings.

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. Ducks Unlimited Canada will benefit from the joint program with SWA offering enhanced incentives to landowners to restore upland and wetland habitats.

Prairie Habitat Joint Venture (PHJV) Partners and other conservation organizations will benefit from information on wetland loss. SWA is developing a provincial wetland conservation policy which will also benefit from increased information on magnitude and spatial patterns of wetland loss.

Project Location

This project will target the Saskatchewan NAWMP Target Landscapes, likely with special emphasis on the Lightning East, Conjuring Creek, Upper Assiniboine, Pheasant Hills, and Cactus Lake Target Landscapes. The Lower Souris River Watershed encompasses most of the Lightning East Target Landscape.  Please see map.

Project Contact

For more information on this project, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Vice President, Stewardship Division, Saskatchewan Watershed Authority, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.