Saskatchewan could get an improved World Wildlife Fund rating this year as it and the federal government set aside some differences along with nearly 2.4 million acres of land two weeks ago.
Using land from the federal government’s Cold Lake Air Weapons Range, 421,547 acres were divided into two ecological reserves and a wildlife refuge. The province also created 27 new parkland reserves from 188,900 acres located mainly in the Pasquia-Porcupine Hills regions. These newly protected lands form the backbone of Saskatchewan’s Representative Areas Network.
The network is designed to protect areas within the province that best illustrate its various environments. The RAN lands will not be limited to these two areas in the northeast and northwest.
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“By 2000 we hope to have a network of unspoiled areas of Saskatchewan,” said Saskatchewan premier Roy Romanow. “All of the diversity Saskatchewan has to offer will be included. All major land forms and aquatic systems protected and managed.”
Pasture management
Community pastures administered by the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration form the bulk of the recent announcement, at nearly 1.8 million acres. The pastures will serve cattle producers as they have in the past, said federal minister of natural resources Ralph Goodale.
He said the memorandum of understanding includes a committee of federal and provincial officials and livestock producers that will consult with PFRA on the management of the pastures.
Miles Anderson, president of the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association, applauded the program.
“We have to protect the native grasslands. For many of us they represent to us our bread and butter. If we don’t look after the grass we can’t make our livings.”
Guaranteeing the future of the pasture portion of the RAN was noted as a good move by cattle producers at the Prairie Conservation and Endangered Species Conference in Saskatoon.
Provincial matter
However, many said they still hold reservations about government participation in environmental matters and are anxious to see provincial control over as many environmental issues as possible. Federal endangered species legislation died on Parliament’s order paper last year and memories are strong of arguments between federal-provincial and environmentalist-producer representatives.
“For the grasslands this was a very important moment,” said Monte Hummel, president of the World Wildlife Fund Canada. “We know for certain that this land will now never be broken. Beyond that we know that the type of management that will take place from now on will protect biodiversity.
“I can’t say whether or not this will get Saskatchewan a better (World Wildlife Fund) rating next time or not, but it certainly can’t hurt … . This is one of the largest areas we have seen set aside in Canada since we began our endangered space campaign in 1989,” said Hummel.
Lorne Scott, Saskatchewan environment minister said: “We boast that 85 percent of the land in southern Saskatchewan is modified in one way or another. This the highest level in North America and by ensuring that a small portion of the land is protected we may in fact be ensuring our own future.”
