Conservation Projects Saskatchewan Habitat Stewardship in Saskatchewan 2010-11
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. Wetland inventories will expand on recently completed inventories of wetland habitats established for the Lightning East NAWMP Target Landscape, and portions of several other Target Landscapes.
Activities
Activities for this one-year project 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 will occur throughout the year.
· Upland habitat restoration consisting of conversion of cropland to spring pasture and hayland seeded with native or non-invasive tame species will occur throughout the year.
· Wetland habitat restoration consisting of installation of plugs in drainage ditches to restore historic hydrologic conditions will occur throughout the year.
· SWA will refer landowners interested in easements to Nature Conservancy of Canada and Ducks Unlimited Canada throughout the year.
· Voluntary stewardship agreements and provision of extension material to private landowners to influence management of native habitats will occur throughout the year.
· Wetland inventories will be completed using existing aerial photography throughout the year.
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 7000 acres of cropland to native or non-invasive tame forage, 180 wetland basins with associated upland conserved or restored, and conservation easements where opportunities arise. In addition, on some projects the health of native prairie will be improved through deferred grazing.
As part of the larger project, SWA estimates WHC’s contributions will support the inventory of wetlands on the equivalent of 11.8 townships (1,087 km2). Depending on wetland densities, 11.8 townships could encompass up to 60,000 wetland basins. Protocols will follow those developed by DUC; individual wetland basins (minimum polygon area of 200 m2) will be identified, digitized, and categorized as drained (ditches will also be digitized), intact but cultivated, intact (emergent vegetation), and intact (open water).
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 7000 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, aid in development of a PHJV wetland monitoring program, and ultimately inform development of both wetland and ecological goods and services policy. All of these outcomes benefit wildlife by improving program delivery.
Relevance to Habitat Planning, Decision Making and/or Management
Project activities contribute directly to achievement of the Saskatchewan NAWMP Habitat Objectives, 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 hunting 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. Development of provincial wetland conservation policy will also benefit from increased information on the magnitude and spatial patterns of wetland loss.
Project Location
This project will target the Saskatchewan NAWMP Target Landscapes, with special emphasis on the Lightning East, Conjuring Creek, Upper Assiniboine, Pheasant Hills, Missouri Coteau South, and Cactus Lake Target Landscapes.