Significant Prairie Conservation Agreement Made with Southeast Family

Saskatchewan's prairie is part of a huge continental ecosystem called the Great Plains Grassland which is now one of North America’s most threatened ecosystems.

That is why two not-for-profit organizations Ducks Unlimited Canada and the Nature Conservancy of Canada are working together to conserve a large section of grassland in the southeast region of Saskatchewan.

"So we are announcing the protection of over 3,000 acres of really important grasslands and it's located on Pipestone Creek," shared Andrew Holland, National Media Relations Director for Nature Conservancy of Canada. "The land is in what is known as the Moose Mountain Natural Area. So what we're talking about here is a conservation easement involving the Blyth family. What this means is this family has agreed not to subdivide, develop the property, drain the wetlands, or harvest the trees."

Clint and Jody Blyth have signed conservation agreements with both Nature Conservancy of Canada and Ducks Unlimited Canada to protect a total of 3,031 acres (1,227 hectares) of their land, forever.

Priority species found in the area include little brown myotis, loggerhead shrike, bobolink, Sprague’s pipit, barn swallow, Western grebe, and great blue heron.

Waterfowl commonly found within the area include blue-winged teal, green-winged teal, northern pintail, northern shoveler, gadwall, and mallard.

"We are very pleased to have the opportunity to participate in the conservation easement program with DUC and NCC," told Clint and Jody Blyth, landowners. "We would like to thank the people involved, from both organizations, for their highly professional and exceptional work that made this happen. As our surrounding landscape is rapidly being converted from parkland to dryland prairie cropland the need to preserve larger areas of permanent cover is becoming more urgent. There are many wonderful things to enjoy on and around the property we steward. There are Burr Oak trees close to 200 years old that were here before homesteaders moved into this area. Natural plum groves can be found in the valley, along with a long list of native plants and grasses. Several sharp-tailed grouse leks are present on the uplands which always provide us entertainment spring and fall. In the valley, mink, fisher, painted turtles, snapping turtles and wood ducks, and more recently river otters can be seen if you are patient and quiet. Several archaeological sites have also been documented on this property and will be protected in perpetuity."

Our remaining native prairie is a valuable resource that stores and sequesters substantial amounts of carbon dioxide while creating a livelihood for many.

Prairies also provide habitat for birds, butterflies, insects, reptiles, and other small wildlife. They also require little maintenance and there only real threat aside from climate change are all of the various invasive species whether they be plants or living beings.

"Today, more native grasslands and wetlands in Saskatchewan will be protected for future generations," expressed Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Environment and Climate Change for Saskatchewan. "This land helps keep our drinking water clean and protects our communities from the impacts of a changing climate while fighting climate change by storing carbon. It also provides important habitats for species at risk such as the bobolink. By working together to protect more nature, we are creating a cleaner, healthier future for our children and grandchildren."

This partnership is a result of visionary landowners, and the conservation agreements will ensure the properties will not be developed, subdivided, drained, or cultivated. However, they will continue to be used for cattle grazing to help keep the grasslands healthy.

The federal government provided funding from the Natural Heritage Conservation Program due to the many species that are at risk within the Bylth's Pipestone Creek property and the NCC and DUC plan to conserve more land in that area in the future.

People can support the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s work in Saskatchewan to protect endangered grasslands, wetlands, and the at-risk species that live here. For more information feel free to visit their official website or follow them on Facebook.