Released on June 12, 2020
Today, Agriculture Minister David Marit and Environment Minister Dustin Duncan jointly proclaimed June 14 to 20, 2020, as Native Prairie Appreciation Week in Saskatchewan.
“We’re fortunate to live in a province filled with beautiful natural prairie and our producers take pride in their role as stewards of these lands,” Marit said. “Native grasslands are an important part of the prairie ecosystem and their protection is a priority for the entire agriculture industry.”
“Saskatchewan’s native prairie is an important part of our ecology and our unique identity as a province,” Duncan said. “This week is a wonderful time to acknowledge these iconic ecosystems and the important role they play to conserve biodiversity and enhance our resilience.”
The Government of Saskatchewan has recognized the importance of native prairie by proclaiming Native Prairie Appreciation Week for more than 20 years. The proclamation comes at the request of the Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan (SK PCAP), which works throughout the year to promote and conserve the province’s native prairie.
“Native Prairie Appreciation Week is a great way to engage and educate people about the value of native prairie,” SK PCAP Manager Carolyn Gaudet said. “A great first step to conserving native prairie is learning more about it, from their role as wildlife habitat or a carbon sink, to how they are sustainably managed by ranchers and land managers.”
SK PCAP is holding daily webinars throughout Native Prairie Appreciation Week, as well as a photo contest and poster contest.
To learn how to participate, visit www.pcap-sk.org or contact their office at 306-352-0472 or pcap@sasktel.net.
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For more information, contact:
Shalyn Rousseau
Agriculture
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5174
Email: shalyn.rousseau2@gov.sk.ca
Jamie Gibson
Environment
Regina
Phone: 306-519-9290
Email: jamie.gibson@gov.sk.ca