Well-published naturalist introduces readers to a rarely visited landscape as he tries his hand at fiction for the first time
CHERRY LAKE, Sask. — It resembles a scene from his book. Birds sway on cattails, soaring geese beckon to each other and Cherry Lake reflects the shoreline’s spectacular fall shades in mirrored stillness. Trevor Herriot’s eighth book — and first work of fiction — is set in an obscure prairie valley tucked amid the farmland […] Read moreTag Archives Conservation — page 2
Initiative aims to protect country’s grasslands
The Grasslands Conservation Initiative is designed to create a unified front in the effort to stem native pasture loss
Three organizations with a history of conservation on the Prairies have launched a new initiative to protect one of the most threatened agricultural and ecological landscapes in the West. The Grasslands Conservation Initiative is the product of joint discussions between the Canadian Cattle Association, Ducks Unlimited Canada and the Nature Conservancy of Canada that were […] Read more
Initiative hopes to protect grasslands
Three organizations with a history of conservation on the Prairies have launching a new initiative to protect one the most threatened agricultural and ecological landscapes in the West. The Grasslands Conservation Initiative is the product of joint discussions between the Canadian Cattle Association, Ducks Unlimited Canada and the Nature Conservancy of Canada that were held […] Read more
Canadian canola joins regenerative ag program
The rubber is finally hitting the road for farmers wanting to get paid for their conservation practices, says an industry executive. “There is now a market force here that’s driving a bunch of different programs to get off the ground,” said Kurt Alles, head of sustainable business at Farmers Business Network (FBN). The company is […] Read more
Conservation easement a family affair
Ranching couple waited to make a decision on a conservation easement until their children were old enough to participate
A decision to apply a conservation easement to about 2,000 acres of native grassland and protect it forever was put on hold until Terri and Brad Mappin’s teenage children could be part of the discussion. “It was something important for the kids to understand the implications of it,” said Terri. The family doesn’t know if […] Read more
Project aims to encourage wildlife habitat development
A partnership between the Alberta Conservation Association, a farming family and the owners of a rented piece of agricultural land near Enchant, Alta., is proving successful in providing a refuge for wildlife and opportunity for upland game bird hunting. Surrounded by irrigated canola fields farmed by the Stamp family, the refuge lies in an undulating […] Read more
Plant lovers stay ahead of the backhoe
A grassroots plant group in Alberta works with developers to conserve native species that are at risk of disappearing
With more than 75 percent of native grassland on the Prairies already lost, one conservation group organized and got to work when a major new interchange was slated to begin construction on uncut grassland near Cochrane, Alta. The Alberta Native Plant Rescue, a grassroots and loosely organized group of volunteers, came together late last year […] Read more
Conservation deal to protect historic Alta. ranch
Agreement reached with Nature Conservancy of Canada and Ducks Unlimited will curtail development at McIntyre Ranch
The sprawling, nearly 130-year-old McIntyre Ranch, located 60 kilometres south of Lethbridge, will allow for cattle grazing in perpetuity while curtailing development along rolling native grasslands.
Sage grouse numbers decline again after reaching peak
Male population reached 40 in 2016 following a federal emergency protection order but has since dropped to 20 or 30
The increase in sage grouse numbers after imposing Canada’s first emergency protection order for a species at risk in southwestern Saskatchewan and southeastern Alberta in 2014 appears to be waning, according to the Alberta Wilderness Association. The ironic prairie bird, known for its elaborate dance on habitually used mating grounds known as leks, saw numbers […] Read more
Man. livestock producers asked to help preserve woodpecker habitat
Red-headed woodpeckers are a sharp-looking bird. With ruby-red feathers on their head, a white chest and black on their wings and back, they stand out from other birds in the forest. But they are struggling. Estimates suggest there are only 6,000 red-headed woodpeckers left in North America. That’s why a conservation group, Manitoba Important Bird […] Read more
