Explore Regina: the city through a tourism lens

Saturday, July 16, 2005

Some of the bison released into the Old Man On His Back
Prairie and Heritage Conservation Area.

Old Man On His Back: A Place For Bison To Roam

by Art Jones

We in Saskatchewan have the privilege of living in one of the world's most diverse environments. We have thousands of lakes, rolling sand dunes, forest, parkland and prairie. One of the special places in the province's southwest is called the Old Man On His Back Prairie and Heritage Conservation Area. It's part of what's left of one of North America's major ecosystems.

The semi-arid mixed grass prairie originally spanned three provinces and five states and covered more than 160-million acres. Most of the mixed grass prairie was broken for farmland; now only about 30 per cent of what was originally found in Canada is left. In Saskatchewan, large unbroken areas of mixed grass prairie can be found in southwestern and south-central
Saskatchewan.

Sweeping vistas of open prairie, incredibly beautiful sunsets and sunrises and abundant wildflowers are just some of the attractions of this remarkable area. The area is also a haven for wildlife rarely seen by most Canadians. Herds of pronghorn antelope roam the hills and there may be sightings of imperiled birds such as the burrowing owl and the long-billed curlew. It is also the area where efforts to re-introduce the swift fox into the prairie landscape have been made.

One of the best examples of the mixed grass prairie in Canada can be found in the 5,302 hectare Old Man On His Back Conservation Area, which is part of the Old Man On His Back Plateau.

The Old Man On His Back Conservation Area has its roots in 1989 when Peter and Sharon Butala approached the Nature Conservancy of Canada and Saskatchewan Environment about buying their ranch as a way to conserve the native prairie in the area.

Money for the project was donated by several organizations including the Nature Conservancy of Canada and Saskatchewan Environment through the Fish and Wildlife Development Fund. The Fund contribution included nearly half the value of the ranch and close to $70,000 to help cover the cost of restoring more of the native prairie and to re-introduce bison to the area.

"The money in the Fish and Wildlife Development Fund comes from 30 per cent of hunting and fishing licences," says Conrad Olson of Saskatchewan Environment. "The Fund was set up to conserve and improve habitat. The Old Man On His Back Conservation Area is one of the largest projects the Fund has contributed to. We are delighted to be involved in this project which goes a long way to conserving part of our environmental heritage. Now the next step is already underway. Last December a small herd of bison was reintroduced to the area."

Bison, often called buffalo, are in the same family as cattle, sheep and goats. True buffalo are native to Africa and Asia but the first frontiersmen thought the bison looked like oxen and called them Les boeufs, which later became buffalo.

First Nations people used bison for meat and other things such as tallow, grease, medicine, blankets, clothing, boats, rope, shelter, glue and twine.

Before the European settlers arrived on the prairies in large numbers the bison population was estimated at about 50 to 60 million. Herds were reported to take five days to pass by a given point. But by 1884 over-hunting had driven the bison close to extinction.

"At one time bison filled an important ecological niche as the natural grazers of the mixed grass prairie and were important to the diet of several predators," says Saskatchewan Environment's Don McDonald.

"Although cattle have replaced bison as the main grazers in the Old Man On His Back Conservation Area, having a herd of bison there will contribute to the efforts to preserve as much of the natural ecosystem as possible. The 50 animals that were reintroduced to the area last winter came from a purebred herd from Elk Island National Park in Alberta. I must applaud the Nature Conservancy of Canada and the other partners for their role in the reintroduction. Those involved are clearly demonstrating a commitment to conservation."

Future plans for the Old Man On His Back Conservation Area include returning cultivated land to natural prairie, restoring the Butala homestead, working with other landowners to conserve and restore native prairie, doing an archeological and biological inventory and building a visitor centre.

For more information contact:

Don McDonald
Ecologist
Saskatchewan Environment
(306) 778-8694
dmcdonald@serm.gov.sk.ca

Conrad Olson
Habitat Protection Manager
Saskatchewan Environment
(306) 787-2385
colson@serm.gov.sk.ca

Or

Art Jones
Communications Consultant
Saskatchewan Environment
(306) 787-5796
(306) 536-8452 (cell)
ajones@serm.gov.sk.ca

Chickadees are often found at bird feeders in Saskatchewan

A Clean Bird Feeder Means Healthier Birds

Bird feeders are becoming more common in backyards and on balconies across Canada. In fact it's estimated that more than five million Canadians have bird feeders.

Bird feeders are not limited to Canadians. Last year bird food sales in the United States topped $200 million.

While it is easy to put up a bird feeder and fill it with seeds, there is a certain amount of maintenance that goes along with that.

Imagine going to a restaurant where the kitchen, tables and bathrooms are never cleaned. Now take a look at your bird feeder. When was the last time it was cleaned?

A poorly maintained bird feeder may actually harm the birds you are trying to help by increasing the possibility of spreading diseases. Of the diseases known to affect birds using feeders salmonellosis is the most common. This bacterium can kill quickly and is spread by droppings which land on food. Other diseases include; trichomoniasis which is caused by a parasite; aspergillosis, caused when birds inhale spores from mold on dampfood and avian pox, a virus that causes wart-like growths on the featherless areas of a birds' face.

"You can easily spot sick birds in a crowd," says Rick Espie of Saskatchewan Environment. "They are less active, reluctant to fly, feed less and cower on the feeder. Sick birds are more vulnerable to starvation, dehydration, predation and severe weather. Although sick birds at a feeder can spread disease to other birds it doesn't mean that bird feeding is bad or should be stopped. However, it does mean that people have an obligation not jeopardize wild birds."

That obligation can be met in several ways, including; reducing crowding by using several feeders, making sure the feeders are at least three metres from places cats and other predators can use to hide, using a good blend of birdseed, keeping seed clean and dry and watching for mold in the feeder. If you find a dead bird, put it in the trash and shut down your feeders for a couple of weeks. This allows the healthy birds to disperse and lowers the chances of spreading diseases.

"One of the most important things you can do to help stop the spread of disease is to keep your feeders clean," says Environment's Espie.

"Clean the old seed out of them before adding fresh. At least once a month you should take the feeders down and immerse them in a liquid bath of one-part chlorine bleach and nine parts warm water. Keep the feeder immersed for two to three minutes and then allow it to air dry. It's also a good idea to clean up the seeds and waste on the ground under the feeder. Remember to wash your hands well after adding seed or cleaning the feeders."

You can also attract different birds by putting out different food. For example, grosbeaks, cardinals, chickadees, titmice and nuthatches like thick-shelled grey-striped sunflower seeds. During the summer many people add hummingbird feeders.

Environment's Espie says as hummingbirds eat nectar the best food for them is one part sugar to four parts water.

"Bring the water to a boil, add the sugar and bring it back to a boil while stirring to dissolve the sugar," says Espie. "Hummingbird feeders should be cleaned with warm, soapy water every time you refill them. They should also be cleaned if mold or yeasts start to grow inside them."

You may be able to find good sources of information about feeding birds in your local library or on the Internet.

For more information contact:

Rick Espie
Ecologist
Saskatchewan Environment
(306) 787-2461
respie@serm.gov.sk.ca

Or

Art Jones
Communications Consultant
Saskatchewan Environment
(306) 787-5796
(306) 536-8452 (cell)
ajones@serm.gov.sk.ca

A ruby-throated hummingbird will protect its food

The Hummingbird: An Amazing Bird

There was a fight going on in the back yard. The two combatants threw themselves at each other. Bobbing, weaving, diving, charging and bickering in high pitched, squeaky voices. Even though each of them weighed about as much as a penny they were not backing down. They were in a struggle for a major prize. A plastic container hanging from a branch that was decorated with bright red artificial flowers and filled with a sweet mixture of sugar water.

The two combatants were male ruby-throated hummingbirds, the smallest bird in Saskatchewan. Their metallic green backs and brilliant red throats flashed as they argued over the rights to the feeder. While the two males were arguing a female flew up the feeder and drank her fill. Her markings weren't quite as bright and she lacked the red colour on her throat. While this one used a diversion to feed, female ruby-throated hummingbirds will
also protect a food source from other birds and even insects.

Ruby-throated hummingbirds are migratory. They leave Saskatchewan in late August or early September and return in late May to the very same place they left in the fall.

"Ruby-throated hummingbirds spend the winter in Central America," says Saskatchewan Environment's Rick Espie. "Folklore says the hummingbirds catch a ride on the backs of migrating geese. But we now know that most of them follow a land route, leapfrogging their way south through Mexico, others fly non-stop across the Gulf of Mexico, a trip of nearly 1,600
kilometres."

The hummingbirds usually mate soon after returning to Saskatchewan. The female uses cobwebs and plant down to build a half of a walnut sized nest on a limb of a leafy tree or shrub. Working with her bill she uses spider silk to lash the material together and secure the nest to the branch. She lays two eggs the size of a pea, which hatch in about two weeks. The young are nearly full grown when they leave the nest, three to four weeks later.

Scientists had thought hummingbirds evolved in North and South America but a recent find in Germany shows they existed in Europe at least 30-million years ago but have since disappeared. Until this discovery the oldest hummingbird fossils had been found in Central America and were believed to be between one and two million years old. Currently 319 species of hummingbird have been reported in the world; most of them are tropical birds. The ruby-throated hummingbird is one of five species found in Canada and the most common in Saskatchewan.

While the majority of the hummingbird's diet is nectar they also eat small insects. The insects are caught in the air by birds flying from lookout perches or in and around flowers. To get at the nectar in flowers the birds insert their long tongue into the flower. If the flower is deep, such as some lilies, they will sometimes use their sharp bill to pierce the base of the flower and use this shortcut to get the nectar.

The hummingbird gets its name from the sound its wings make in flight.

"Hummingbirds beat their wings 55 to 75 times every second which makes the humming sound they get their name from," says Environment's Espie.

"The speed of their wings and the figure eight pattern they make allows them to fly forward or backward, up and down or hover motionless. This allows them to feed on flowers or at a feeder that would otherwise be out of reach. When a hummingbird returns in the spring it will often return to the sameplace it left and even look for the feeder it last ate from."

You can attract hummingbirds to your garden by putting out feeders containing a solution of one part sugar and four parts water. Do not use honey, as it is associated with a fungal disease that affects the birds. The solution should be boiled for two to three minutes to prevent fermentation and cooled before going into the feeder. Leftover solution can be frozen for use later. The feeder mixture should be changed at least once a week.

For more information contact;

Rick Espie
Biodiversity Specialist
Saskatchewan Environment
(306)-787-2461
respie@serm.gov.sk.ca

Or

Art Jones
Communications Consultant
Saskatchewan Environment
(306) 787-5796
(306) 536-8452 (cell)
ajones@serm.gov.sk.ca

Saskatchewan Environment conservation officer sets up model deer

Saskatchewan Environment conservation officer Zolton Molnar shows how a controlled wildlife model is set up

A "Model" Tool For Conservation Officers

by Art Jones

There are some deer in Saskatchewan who have their sights set on people who hunt illegally. Well they aren't real deer, they are models of deer, known in Saskatchewan Environment "legal speak" as controlled wildlife models.

The life-like models of game animals and, in some cases, birds are one of the tools conservation officers use to catch people who are poaching or who are hunting in a way that puts the public in danger. That might include things such as shooting from a vehicle, night hunting, hunting out of season, taking too many animals, hunting in protected areas or hunting protected species. Most of the American states and several Canadian provinces have been using them since the 1980s to catch poachers.

The models are only used in areas where a wildlife population is being affected by illegal hunting or where there have been complaints from the public about illegal or unsafe hunting. Officers have to receive permission from their supervisor before using a model and the model must be placed in a manner that does not pose a safety threat to the conservation officers or the public. For example the model could be set up in front of a hill so any shots that miss would hit the ground behind the model.

"One of the most common things we encounter when we use a wildlife model is people who shoot from a vehicle or along or across a road or hunt at night," says Doug Lucyshyn of Saskatchewan Environment.

"Aside from the fact that shooting from a vehicle or across a road is illegal it is also dangerous to other people. Using lights to hunt is also dangerous and illegal. The person shooting can't see what they may hit if they miss the animal and the animal itself is "frozen" by the lights and really doesn't have a chance. The vast majority of hunters are ethical and honest however, a few can make all hunters look bad. Using the models is one way we can catch these people and others who break the law."

There are several wildlife models currently in use in Saskatchewan.

Conservation officers take them to a location where there have been previous reports of illegal activity and set them up. The officers then stake out the site, waiting for someone to come along, mistake the model for a real animal and take a shot at it.

One of the most common wildlife models conservation officers across North America use is a male or buck white-tailed deer, which is sporting a nice "rack" or set of antlers.

"While poachers will key in on a deer with a good set of antlers they really don't appreciate the animal they are hunting. They are only interested in the money the antlers can bring on the illegal market," says Environment's Lucyshyn.

"When people poach trophy deer they are stealing from law-abiding hunters and everyone else in the province. In most cases the animals they target are the biggest and, over time, the loss of these animals could hurt the overall health of the deer population. That's because poached deer simply don't have a chance to pass on their superior genetics."

Taking a shot at a wildlife model can be expensive. The Wildlife Act allows for a fine of up to $100,000 and the possibility that the hunter's equipment could be seized and sold by the Crown.

For more information contact:

Doug Lucyshyn
Conservation Officer
Saskatchewan Environment
(306) 933-8377
dlucyshyn@serm.gov.sk.ca

Or

Art Jones
Communications Consultant
Saskatchewan Environment
(306) 787-5796
(306) 536-8452 (cell)
ajones@serm.gov.sk.ca

Meeting Environmental Standards Through ISO 14001 Certification

by Art Jones

It's becoming almost standard practice for forest companies, anxious to demonstrate their environmental responsibility to customers and the public, to gain independent certification that their operations meet environmental standards. But for the government agencies regulating them, it's almost unheard of - until recently, when Saskatchewan Environment's forestry program did just that.

In the fall of 2003, the provincial forestry program, following a rigorous independent audit conducted by KPMG Performance Registrar Inc., became the first province-wide government program to achieve certification under the ISO 14001 standard. More than a year and two check-up audits later, Al Willcocks, of Saskatchewan Environment's Forest Service, says that the standard has enabled the program to improve its environmental performance, while remaining fully accountable for its results. But initially, there were some sceptics.

"When we started down the road toward certification, there were some who doubted the standard could be applied to a government program," says Willcocks. "What we have found in the last couple of years is that the system is actually a really good fit for the kinds of activities we're involved in, both as regulators and as forest managers. We were one of the first to go this way, but we certainly won't be the last."

ISO 14001 is the internationally recognized standard for Environmental Management Systems, originating with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). It is a voluntary program used by organizations to track the impact their activities have on the environment.

Saskatchewan Environment Forest Service staff use its Environmental Management System to establish goals, assign responsibility for achieving them and document and report on progress. An important part of the system is a commitment to continuous improvement. The ISO 14001 standard requires regular, independent audits in order to maintain registration. Getting and maintaining certification hasn't been easy, but Willcocks says it has been worth it.

"The system works well, for us and for our clients," says Willcocks. "It provides consistency and improves communication, helping all our staff to work together more efficiently. It also helps forest companies pursuing their own certification initiatives. As regulators, we play a significant part in their business. On the international scene, the transparency and accountability built in to the system makes it much easier to provide the documentation we need as we work with other provinces to resolve the Canada-U.S. softwood lumber dispute."

Most of all, Saskatchewan Environment's forestry program's certification is a concrete demonstration of the organization's commitment to environmental stewardship and protection.

"That's really what it's all about," says Environment's Willcocks. "We are, after all, an environmental organization, first and foremost. Minimizing the environmental impact of our own activities, or those we regulate, is atthe core of what we do."

For more information, contact:

Al Willcocks
Executive Director
Saskatchewan Environment
Forest Service
Phone: (306) 953-2486
awillcocks@serm.gov.sk.ca

Or

Art Jones
Communications Consultant
Saskatchewan Environment
(306) 787-5796
(306) 536-8452 (cell)
ajones@serm.gov.sk.ca

Muskrats use dried plant material to build their home

A Muskrat of a Success Story

by Art Jones

If you happen to be near almost any body of water in Saskatchewan chances are you'll see a small, paunchy animal swimming along the surface.

If you look closely you'll discover it's not a beaver, but rather it's a
muskrat.

One of the easiest ways to determine whether the animal you see is a beaver or a muskrat is to look at the size of the animal and at its tail. A beaver is quite large and has a broad flat tail. A muskrat is small, about 50 centimetres from its nose to the tip of its long thin tail. The tail is covered with a scaly skin that protects it from damage. It gets its name from a musky smelling substance it deposits along travel routes during mating season.

A muskrat's entire paunchy, 25-centimetre body is covered with a rich, waterproof layer of fur. The fur colour ranges from brown on the animal's head and back to greyish-brown on the belly.

A muskrat's hand-like front feet are used to build lodges, dig channels and burrows and hold food. Although the hind feet are used for swimming they are not webbed like the feet of the beaver or an otter. The four long toes on each of the muskrat's hind feet have a fringe of specialized hairs, which give the hind foot a paddle-like affect.

A muskrat tucks its front feet against its chest and swims with its hind feet. On the surface the tail is used like a rudder. Under water the tail is moved in a sculling action that helps push the animal through the water.

Muskrat houses are compact piles of dried and decayed plant material placed on top of a mound of soil. Inside the mound is a small area, above the water, that the muskrat lives in. Muskrats will also build a home by burrowing into a bank along the water's edge.

Now here's a question for you. When is a rat a mouse? When it's a muskrat!

"People often think muskrats are related to beavers but that's not the case. The muskrat is really a large field mouse that has adapted to life in and around water," says Mike Gollop of Saskatchewan Environment.

"The muskrats favourite food is bulrushes and other plants which they can eat underwater. They have evolved specialized front incisors that protrude ahead of the cheeks and they have lips that can close behind the teeth. So it can actually "eat with its mouth closed" something no other mammal, except a beaver, can do."

The muskrat is one of the North America's most successful species.

It can be found right across the continent and as far north as the Arctic Ocean and south to the Gulf of Mexico. Not only can it be found in natural waterways it has been able to adapt to man-made environments.

This native to North America animal was introduced to Europe in 1905 and has now spread across much of Europe and into northern Asia.

In North America several animals including mink, coyotes, foxes and even northern pike eat muskrats. Muskrat populations seem to naturally "crash" every seven to ten years. Scientists point to an as-yet-unknown reason, which affects the animal's health and leads to widespread death and reproductive failure.

"Muskrats are a favourite animal for trappers," says Environment's
Gollop.

"As a matter of fact muskrats contribute more to the total combined income of North American trappers than any other animal. As recently as 1975 Saskatchewan marketed over 60,000 muskrat pelts. The pelt harvest has declined in more recent years but still accounted for almost 23,000 pelts, second only to beaver, according to the most recent statistics."

While muskrats seem to be a favourite food for many animals and a good source of income for trappers their future in Canada seems to be bright. The species has never been considered as being endangered and, in fact, muskrat population numbers are healthy.

For more information contact:

Mike Gollop
Fur, Waterfowl and Problem Wildlife Specialist
Saskatchewan Environment
(306) 933-5767
mgollop@serm.gov.sk.ca

Or

Art Jones
Communications Consultant
Saskatchewan Environment
(306) 787-5796
(306) 536-8452 (cell)
ajones@serm.gov.sk.ca

The beaver is one of the important fur-bearing animals

Trapping Fur Bearing Animals In Saskatchewan

by Art Jones

Much of Canada's history is tied to the wild fur industry.

Thetrade in furs quickly developed into Canada's first industry and provided major economic and social gains for the early colonists. Trappers searching for furs explored and mapped many regions of Canada and paved the way for European settlement.

This 400-year-old tradition continues today with over 100,000 Canadian trappers producing around $60-million worth of raw fur. The jobs and products created by manufacturing, sales, transportation and equipment generate over $600-million for the Canadian economy.

Approximately 3,200 Saskatchewan people have a licence to trap. They sell close to $2 million worth of raw fur every year. Trappers who live in the north often use trapping as their main source of income while those in the south are usually rural residents who use trapping to supplement income from other sources.

"Saskatchewan's 19 fur-bearing species are a renewable resource. Proper conservation and humane trapping practices will ensure the resource and the trapping industry will remain viable for a long time to come." says Saskatchewan Environment Conservation Officer Doug Lucyshyn.

"Trappers have to follow seasons and regulations and, by doing so, help to manage the size of the wild populations of fur-bearing animals."

The province is divided into two "trapping blocks", the Northern Fur Conservation Area and the South Saskatchewan Open Trapping Area. The northern area is further divided into Fur Conservation Blocks. Each Block has a limited number of trappers who must trap in their Fur Conservation Block.

Trappers in the south may trap anywhere provided they get written permission from the landowner, the occupant of the land or the controlling government agency. The exceptions are National Parks and First Nations land. Trapping is permitted in Provincial Parks with permission from the park manager or if being used as a management tool.

"In the southern areas of the province trappers often help farmers and ranchers by controlling animals such as coyotes that prey on domestic livestock or beavers which can cause property damage by flooding large areas," says Environment's Lucyshyn.

"Trappers in the south who use snares must also notify everyone who lives within a 1.6 kilometre radius around the snares and their locations. They also have to put up signs on any quarter sections where snares are set, advising people they have to get permission from the owner or occupant before going on the land. Even so, it is important for people to remember it is up to them to ensure that any area is safe before they, their families and their pets go into an area."

Recent changes to trapping technology have resulted in more humane trapping methods being used in Canada that meet international standards. The Saskatchewan Trappers Association offers humane trapping education courses, which teach people how to ensure that no animal suffers unnecessarily and that pelts bring the best market value.

First time trappers have to pass a test and be a graduate of the provincial Firearm Safety/Hunter Education program. "

For more information contact:

Doug Lucyshyn
Conservation Officer
Saskatchewan Environment
(306) 933-8377
dlucyshyn@serm.gov.sk.ca

Or

Art Jones
Communications Consultant
Saskatchewan Environment
(306) 787-5796
(306) 536-8452 (cell)
ajones@serm.gov.sk.ca

Ducklings in Sight

Young Wild Animals Should Be Left Alone

by Art Jones

During the late spring and early summer many Conservation Officers get calls about "orphaned" wildlife. The calls come from people who believe they have found young animals or birds that have been abandoned by their parents.

Chances are the young animal has not been abandoned. It's more likely the parent is out searching for food or approaching humans have frightened the parent away and it will not return as long as people are around. Unless the parent is found dead near the baby, it's almost guaranteed the adult will soon return to the young bird or animal.

Although young birds and animals may be cute, it's best to leave them where you find them.

"Sometimes people find a young bird or animal and think it will make a nice pet," says Saskatchewan Environment Conservation Officer Rob Hanson.

"Raising a wild animal can also be expensive. For example, a deer fawn can drink up to four litres of milk a day. Often the size of the animal and the expense of keeping it means it is then released into the wild but because it was raised by humans it won't know how to feed itself and it will likely die. A human raised animal will also lose its fear, making it an easy target for hunters or other predators."

In most cases adopting a wild animal is the result of an act of kindness or a belief the animal is in desperate need.

Environment's Hanson says, for example, deer fawns are among the most fearless creatures you will encounter.

"For the first three weeks a doe will leave the fawn hidden in the grass while she feeds or rests," says Hanson. "Fawns show no fear of humans and will sometimes even follow a human. If this happens gently push on its shoulders until it lies down, then leave. It is extremely rare for a doe to leave a fawn that has human scent on it. If the fawn is lost the doe will call out for it and they will find each other. In most cases birds should also be left alone. However, if you do find a young goose or duck that is obviously lost it can be taken to the nearest marsh and released.

If a young bird has fallen out of the nest then return it to the nest or leave it, as they usually fall out when first learning to fly. But the bottom line is, if you see a baby animal you should leave it alone."

Every year Conservation Officers across the province get calls from people who have raised an animal they thought was abandoned by its parent.

Then once it gets too big or too much of a handful, they want the officer to do something with it.

If possible, these animals are taken to a Captive Wildlife Facility or Zoo. Sadly, if there are no facilities that are interested in taking the animal, and as it cannot care for itself in the
wild, the animal may have to be euthanized.

Environment's Hanson also says people should avoid young raccoons and skunks because they can be dangerous and are possible carriers of rabies and other diseases. Raccoons can also carry a parasite that can be transmitted to humans.

Saskatchewan Environment does not issue permits to allow people to keep animals taken from the wild; instead you could face a penalty. Only licensed zoos and wildlife rehabilitators are allowed to keep wildlife.

If you are concerned about a young animal, bird or eggs and no parent has been seen for several days, contact your local conservation officer for assistance.

For more information contact;

Rob Hanson
Conservation Officer
Saskatchewan Environment
(306) 787-0037
rhanson@serm.gov.sk.ca

Or

Art Jones
Communications Consultant
Saskatchewan Environment
(306) 787-5796
(306) 536-8452 (cell)
ajones@serm.gov.sk.ca

A Campfire that Got Away

Campfire Safety

by Art Jones

Whether it is in your own back yard or in one of Saskatchewan’s Parks or other wilderness areas, sitting around a campfire is one of the most relaxing and enjoyable summer activities. While a campfire is something that can be enjoyed, if not handled with caution and care it can cause major damage. It just takes a few minutes of preparation and planning to make sure that your fire is both legal and safe.

The first step in building a safe fire is selecting a site. If you are building a campfire in a Saskatchewan Park or Recreation site the only place that you can do so is an approved barbeque or an approved fire pit. In all cases these are supplied by the Park and are placed in approved locations. Washtubs and other types of commercially marketed fireplaces are not permitted. You are not allowed to build a campfire on the ground in most provincial parks except for some wilderness parks.

When building a campfire you should take a look at the ground under the area you are planning to use as a campfire site.

“The best spot for a campfire is in a contained fireplace or pit. If these aren’t available make sure it’s built on bare soil, rock or sand,” says Rob Tether, Compliance Manager, Saskatchewan Environment.

“In addition to checking the type of soil you should also watch how close the fire is to things that can burn, such as grass and trees. The best fire site should be away from overhanging branches and should be free of anything that can burn. For the average campfire a safety zone of three metres in all directions is usually adequate. This distance should be increased if you are planning on building a fire that would be more intense than the average. That’s because the size and the type of material being burned will also drastically affect the size of the safety zone.”

The next step in building a safe fire is site preparation. Any material that you believe has a chance of burning should be removed. This would include all overhanging branches, shrubs, grass and roots. Other safety precautions include placing rocks around the outside of the campfire site before you start the fire and placing a grill over the top to prevent sparks from escaping.

Environment’s Tether says the third step is to pick the wood for your fire and get it burning. In the Provincial Forest you can harvest dead and fallen trees for firewood for your own use without a permit. In most Provincial Parks firewood is supplied for use in approved campfire areas with the purchase of a three-dollar daily campfire permit. Bringing firewood into a provincial park or recreation site is prohibited as is collecting or harvesting firewood within provincial park boundaries without a permit. Check with your local Park office for the policy on firewood collection.

Almost any type of wood will burn and make an enjoyable fire. The best material is wood that has been dead for some time and been allowed to cure. The safest way to start a fire is to start with lightwood or kindling. This would include small twigs, blocks of wood that have been split into small pieces or paper. Once your fire is going you can slowly add larger pieces of wood, graduallyincreasing the size and intensity of the campfire. Using items like gas to start a fire can be very dangerous and is not recommended.

Environment’s Tether says keep in mind that if you start a campfire you are responsible for it. This means that you must remain with the campfire until it is completely out.

“The easiest method of putting out a campfire is to have a good supply of water on hand,” says Tether. “Dumping water on the fire and then using a shovel or stick to stir it is the best method. This process should be repeated until the material that was burning is cold to the touch. Professional fire fighters check burned material with their hands, a practice called “cold trailing”, to ensure all portions of large wild fires are out. Doing this on a small campfire is the only foolproof method of ensuring your fire is completely out and preventing it from going wild.”

By following these simple steps you can be assured you can have a safe and enjoyable campfire experience.

For more information contact:

Rob Tether
Resource Area Manager
Saskatchewan Environment
(306) 236-9819
rtether@serm.gov.sk.ca

or

Art Jones
Communications Consultant
Saskatchewan Environment
(306) 787-5796
(306) 536-8452 (cell)
ajones@serm.gov.sk.ca

Grasslands National Park in Southwestern Saskatchewan

Photo: Tourism Saskatchewan

Grasslands National park in southwestern Saskatchewan is one of the last remnants of native prairie in our province. It could also be called the "Native Prairie Capital of Canada."

Home, Home On The Prairie

by Art Jones

Saskatchewan's grasslands once covered a vast area of the province; roughly 215,000 square kilometres or 90 per cent of what is known as the Prairie Ecozone. These grasslands were home to thousands of plant, mammal, bird and insect species. Millions of grazers, such as bison and elk, roamed the grasslands.

By the 1900's, however, The Homestead Act, the construction of the railway and The Crowsnest Pass Act, made the prairie grasslands look like the place to be. Settlers rushed in to plough up the land and grow crops for their families and their fellow Canadians.

The once diverse expanse of native grassland has dwindled to less than 20 per cent of its original size. As the expanse of native grassland declined, so did the diversity of species and the special services and goods the grassland provided. These include such things as: processes that help to clean water; flood control; insects that help with pollination; forage; wildlife; and carbon sequestration.

After nearly 150 years of annual crop production the fertility of the soil in much of the prairie grassland region has declined by up to one-third. The prairie grassland that is left is under pressure from tillage, urban expansion, industrial activity and invasion by exotic species.

"This reduction concerns a lot of people including members of environmental groups, outdoor enthusiasts and agricultural producers," says Ann Gerry, Senior Terrestrial Ecologist with Saskatchewan Environment.

"The remaining native prairie supports 730 animal species, 1378 plant species and 15,000 insect species. The prairie also still provides many of the goods and services we depend on, thanks in large part to its value as a grazing resource. For decades, Saskatchewan ranchers have been caring for and conserving the grasslands they depend on for their livelihood."

The Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association is one of the founding members of the Prairie Conservation Action Plan, a coalition of 25 groups representing industry, governments, non-government organizations and the province's two universities.

The goals of the Prairie Conservation Action are to maintain a healthy prairie grazing resource, conserve the remaining prairie, maintain native biological diversity, promote complementary, sustainable uses of the native prairie and to increase awareness and understanding of the native prairie and its value.

"The Prairie Conservation Action Plan works because it promotes win-win benefits for livestock producers and everyone else in Saskatchewan," says rancher Chair of the Prairie Conservation Action Plan, Michael Burgess.

"Ranchers, in partnership with conservation organizations, are continually working to maintain and restore grasslands to provide habitat for wildlife, goods and services for you and me, and a sustainable grazing resource. We all win by having healthy grasslands and clean water and we can address these issues more effectively when we work on them together."

"We don't yet know the full value of the prairie's biodiversity," says Environment's Gerry. "This makes it even more important to conserve and maintain what's left of the native prairie for the use and enjoyment of ourselves and generations to come."

If you would like to learn more about the Prairie Conservation Action Plan check out their website at www.pcap-sk.org

For more information contact:

Ann Gerry
Senior Terrestrial Ecologist
Saskatchewan Environment
(306) 787-1835
agerry@serm.gov.sk.ca

Karyn Scalise
Manager
Prairie Conservation Action Plan
(306) 352-0472

Or

Art Jones
Communications Consultant
Saskatchewan Environment
(306) 787-5796
(306) 536-8452 (cell)
ajones@serm.gov.sk.ca

Behind the scenes adventures for visitors and inhabitants in one of the most fascinating settlement regions of the Western North America... Explore Regina and your world!

: Name: Claude-Jean Harel; Location: Regina 14,000BC-2009AD, Saskatchewan Plains, Canada

Claude-Jean Harel is the Founder and Manager of The Great Excursions Company, a Regina-based boutique travel and destination management company which crafts "behind the scenes" tourism experiences using a variety of techniques. He brings to tourism 25 years of broadcast media experience in the fields of culture, heritage and science, generating national and international attention for the distinctive qualities of the North American Plains region. Claude-Jean not only presents tourism products as reportages intended to be lived by guests, he is also a regular contributor to CBC Radio and Television programs. Claude-Jean's work has won numerous awards including: the Canadian Ethnic Journalists' and Writers' Club award. He is a former Commonwealth Relations Trust bursar. His work was nominated for a UNESCO Award; and in 2004, he was admitted to the degree of Master of Arts in Archaeology and Heritage with Distinction at the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom. Claude-Jean's company recently joined the CAA Saskatchewan group of companies, where he is now also Manager of Inbound Travel. CAA operates the largest travel agency in the province and WestWorld Tours.

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