G R E E T I N G S F R O M P C A P M A N A G E R , M I C H E L L E Y A S K OW I C H

PRAIRIE CONSERVATION

ACTION PLAN

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V O L U M E 2 , I S S U E 7

P C A P N E W S L E T T E R

Compiled by:

Michelle Yaskowich & Julie Fisowich

U P D A T E F R O M

A A F C - S P A R C 2

N P S S L E T T E R O F

R E Q U E S T 4

R E S E A R C H F R O M

T H E F I E L D 5

M Y E X P E R I E N C E A T T H E A N N U A L P I P I N G P L O V E R

C E N S U S

6

S A S K A D A P T . C A

I N F O R M A T I O N 7

U P C O M I N G E V E N T S

& W O R K S H O P S 8

S P E C I A L P O I N T S

O F I N T E R E S T :

• SAVE THE DATE— PCAP

Steer Committee Meeting

in Moose Jaw, SK from

Tuesday, October 26 to

Wednesday, October 27,

2010

• SSGA AGM Resolutions

are now available on the

SSGA website at http://

skstockgrowers.com; be

sure to view the

resolution pertaining to

Ecological Goods &

Services.

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :

On Wednesday, June 23 & Thursday, June 24, 2010, the Society for Range

Management - Prairie Parkland Chapter (SRM-PPC) held their annual

workshop & tour in conjunction with Native Prairie Appreciation Week

(NPAW) 2010, June 20-26, 2010. “Ranching From the Ground Up” was the

theme for this year with topics orientated more towards producers.

Over 75 producers, pasture managers, students and technical delivery staff were engaged

in a number of activities including native prairie and intensive/extensive grazing, oil &gas

producer rights, native plant ID and challenge and soil/range sites.

My hope for NPAW 2011 is to continue with a producer and technical delivery staff

orientated SRM-PPC workshop & tour but also include a native prairie festival and

“Discovering Tour” for urban and rural residents, educators and students to further

increase native prairie awareness and appreciation in our province.

Oil wells on the Weedon Ranch

SW of Swift Current, SK

Duncairn Dam

Problem Solving and Horsemanship

Demonstration by Dwight Dokken

Lac Pelletier Relocation Project

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Agriculture and AgriAgriculture and AgriAgriculture and AgriAgriculture and Agri----Food Canada (AAFC) Food Canada (AAFC) Food Canada (AAFC) Food Canada (AAFC) ---- Semiarid Prairie Agricultural Research Centre (SPARC) Semiarid Prairie Agricultural Research Centre (SPARC) Semiarid Prairie Agricultural Research Centre (SPARC) Semiarid Prairie Agricultural Research Centre (SPARC)

By M.P. Schellenberg, PhD PAg CPRM — E-mail: mike.schellenberg@agr.gc.ca, A.D. Iwaasa, PhD—E-mail: alan.iwaasa@agr.gc.ca,

and J. M. Bolton — E-mail: jacqueline.bolton@agr.gc.ca.

As the name implies SPARC is located in the semiarid prairies with a physical location being Swift Current, Saskatchewan. The centre is the only AAFC research centre located in the semiarid region which is also characterized as being in the Brown soil zone. The centre has a direct influence extending across the Dark-Brown and Thin-Black soil zones. As a result SPARC addresses sustainable agriculture needs for communities located on 40% of Canada’s total farm and range lands. The research facility is located near the largest remaining remnants of native prairie in Saskatchewan.

The facility’s national mandate is the development of dryland farming systems, directly supporting sustainable agriculture on 40% of Canada’s farm and range land. SPARC researchers contribute to a wide variety of projects but programs of specific interest to PCAP are the Plant Ecology and Grazing Management programs led by Drs. Michael Schellenberg and Alan Iwaasa respectively.

Plant EcologyPlant EcologyPlant EcologyPlant Ecology

The objective of the plant ecology research program is to identify impacts of biodiversity on agricultural systems and the impact agricultural practices have on biodiversity. This in turn leads to identification and understanding of ecological goods and services which allow for extension of the grazing season, risk reduction to production in an ever changing climate, drought mediation and utilization of untapped genetic resources. Native plant material, as individual species or entire plant communities are the key components at this time. Work is ongoing in existing undisturbed and simplified plant communities in efforts to understand what a functioning prairie entails and what is needed to sustain the landscapes within which they are found.

Funding for the program originates from federal peer review funding, new “Growing Forward” funds as well Species at Risk funds. Research efforts are collaborative in nature involving NGOs, Government departments and Universities. The program presently provides training opportunities to post-doctoral fellows, graduate students from Canadian and Interna-tional Universities as well as co-op students.

Within the program is found the only shrub research effort in AAFC examining the forage potential as well as functional contributions to potentially mediate effects of drought. The semi-shrub, winterfat has received the greatest amount of attention but the research also includes saltbush, lead plant and antelope bitterbrush at this time.

Benefits from multiple species seedings have been identified with grass species. Inclusion of the legume, alfalfa, has long been recognised but native legumes have only begun to be examined for their potential.

Recent funding from the “beef cluster” through the “Growing Forward” federal initiative has resulted in examination of native grass and legume mixtures with the intent of identifying appropriate combinations of species, introduction of the native prairie clovers (purple and white), and establishment efforts. Utilizing ecological variety material developed at SPARC, the last remaining facility within AAFC developing such material, a Post-doctoral fellow has been hired to examine drought tolerance within populations of grasses and prairie clovers. Efforts will also include the impact the inclusion of prairie clovers has on reduction of E. coli sloughing from cattle. Collaboration with AAFC and the University of Saskatchewan are and will be key to this endeavour.

P C A P N E W S L E T T E R

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sloughing from cattle. Collaboration with AAFC and the University of

V O L U M E 2 , I S S U E 7

Grazing Management Grazing Management Grazing Management Grazing Management

The objectives of the grazing management research program is to develop strategies to extend the grazing season and reduce business risks through the use of tame and native forage species and develop environmentally sustainable grazing systems. Saskatchewan beef cattle number is about 1.38 million (2nd largest beef producing province), therefore the cattle industry is a major economic contributor but also needs to care for the land and the environment. Research is being conducted in over 20 national and international studies that are spread over six areas: 1) Evaluation of new/existing native and tame species under grazing for forage and beef production, 2) Grassland/beef management impact on greenhouse gases, 3) Evaluating different grazing management systems to enhance ecosystem function and livestock performance, 4) Developing grassland grazing and forage strategies in the face of climate change, 5) Use of plant-derived compounds to improve feed efficiency, animal health and reduce impact on the environment, and 6) Developing feeding opportunities from the biofuel industries for grazing systems.

National and international studies are being conducted on the effects of climate change on native range and re-established native pastures productivity and using this information to develop models to predict how climate change may affect native pastures. Research is measuring C sequestration potential and CH4 and N2O emissions from native and tame pastures and developing better models to estimate GHG emissions. Studies evaluating the impact of different grazing and winter feed strategies on tame and native pastures on soil nutrient load and water runoff. Research is ongoing on evaluating the beneficial secondary plant products in native and tame legumes (e.g., purple prairie clover, sainfoin etc.) for beef cattle. Recent expansion in the development of biofuel products has produced a number of bioproduct residues which could lead to feeding opportunities in the cattle industry. Research is ongoing to evaluate how to best utilize this supplement under grazing and potential environment impact of the cattle waste.

A multi-disciplinary research effort is occurring that include research expertise in grazing management, animal nutrition and microbiology, range ecology, soil and water nutrient load, forage physiology, modelling, forage agronomy and breeding, etc. Excellent linkages with universities, provincial government departments in agriculture, industry, producer associations and NGO groups will facilitate the ability for our research information to be delivered over a wide audience range.

Additional funding directed at climate change has recently been received to examine the appropriate number of grasses and legumes in combination as well as the impact increasing temperatures interactions with harvest and rainfall has on plant communities. The plant communities are naturally occurring communities located in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and BC. At SPARC, the impact the interacting factors have on crested wheatgrass invasion will also be examined. Collaboration among AAFC scientists and AESB is important to this effort.

Research is the primary effort but education of society does take place through tours, talks, media interviews and publication. The impending release of the publication “Management of Canadian Prairie Rangeland” is an example of one such effort.

All Photos by SPARC

N A T I V E P L A N T S O C I E T Y O F S A S K A T C H E W A N R E Q U E S T

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Page 5 V O L U M E 2 , I S S U E 7

A PCAP International Affiliate: Temperate Grasslands Conservation InitiativeA PCAP International Affiliate: Temperate Grasslands Conservation InitiativeA PCAP International Affiliate: Temperate Grasslands Conservation InitiativeA PCAP International Affiliate: Temperate Grasslands Conservation Initiative

The Temperate Grasslands Conservation Initiative (TGCI), is an undertaking of the Grasslands Task

Force directed at fostering a new regime of communications and cooperation at the global level to

enable the increased conservation and protection of temperate grasslands. For more information on the

Temperate Grasslands Conservation Initiative, their programs and projects, visit their website:

http://www.iucn.org/about/union/commissions/wcpa/wcpa_what/wcpa_conservingsd/http://www.iucn.org/about/union/commissions/wcpa/wcpa_what/wcpa_conservingsd/http://www.iucn.org/about/union/commissions/wcpa/wcpa_what/wcpa_conservingsd/http://www.iucn.org/about/union/commissions/wcpa/wcpa_what/wcpa_conservingsd/

wcpa_grasslandstf/wcpa_grasslandstf/wcpa_grasslandstf/wcpa_grasslandstf/

R E S E A R C H F R OM T H E F I E L D

Accidental Egg Removal by Incubating Piping PloversAccidental Egg Removal by Incubating Piping PloversAccidental Egg Removal by Incubating Piping PloversAccidental Egg Removal by Incubating Piping Plovers

Corie L. White 1,3,4, R. Mark Brigham 1, and Stephen K. Davis 1,2

AbstractAbstractAbstractAbstract

Clutch reproduction (the disappearance of 1 or more eggs) is often reported in studies examining avian reproductive success and has typically been attributed to nest predation. We recorded clutch reductions at 20 (11%) of 188 Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) nests at Chaplin Lake, Saskatchewan from 2002 to 2004. Partial clutch reductions were initially assumed to be the result of predation. However, all egg disappearances at three nests we monitored using video cameras were due to accidental removal by incubating parents. Our observations suggest that accidental removal may occur more frequently than

expected in alkaline environments, and are likely misclassified as losses due to predation.

This article can be found in full on the University of Regina website:

http://www.uregina.ca/biology/faculty/brigham/PDF%20files/White%20et%20et20al.%202009%http://www.uregina.ca/biology/faculty/brigham/PDF%20files/White%20et%20et20al.%202009%http://www.uregina.ca/biology/faculty/brigham/PDF%20files/White%20et%20et20al.%202009%http://www.uregina.ca/biology/faculty/brigham/PDF%20files/White%20et%20et20al.%202009%

Plover and Habitat Photos by Bobbi-Jo MacDougall, Nature Saskatchewan, Randy McCulloch & Jennifer Banning, Nature Sasakatchewan

Page 6

By Julie Fisowich, PCAP Intern

Recently I was able to take part in the 2010 Piping Plover Census at Lake Diefenbaker with the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority (SWA). Every year a local census is conducted by SWA to monitor Piping Plover population in Saskatchewan. An international census was started in 1991 by the Canadian Wildlife Service, who conducted the annual surveys prior to SWA, and is conducted every five years with the last one being held in 2006. The Piping Plover was labeled as an endangered species in 1985 by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) due to declining numbers in not only Saskatchewan but other parts of North America. The changing landscape caused by the damming of Lake Diefenbaker, increase of beach front homes, over hunting and predators on the shore, all contributed to the decline of the Piping Plover. However, since the annual census started in 1991 a steady increase in the population has been noticed. The efforts of the volunteers from various conservation organizations and the SWA to protect, count, and relocate nests that may be flooded due to rising water levels, has proven to be of value to this rare and beautiful bird.

Piping Plovers favor the rocky shoreline of slightly alkaline lakes in which they build their nests. This light, sandy colored bird has one black neck band and one black headband with a white belly and rump as well as easily identifiable orange legs and beak (the beak also has a black tip). It can be easily mistaken for a Killdeer which is

slightly larger, dark brown in colour and has two neck bands. During the census, I found that I would hear the Plover’s sound before seeing this well camouflaged bird. Not only were the Plovers difficult to see from a distance but their nests were so well hidden in the pebbly/sandy habitat that it caused you to look twice to confirm that they were not just four egg-shaped rocks neatly placed on the sand. The nests are built upon small pebbles and usually have larger rocks surrounding them. This perfect simplicity hides the eggs while still allowing for the parent birds to know where their nest is. Piping Plover parents display a behavior in order to distract a predator (or researcher) from getting to close to the nest. The broken

wing is a behavior in which they look as if they are injured and move away from the nest, leading the predator away to keep the eggs safe.

The efforts taken by SWA and other conservation organizations to protect the nests from rising water levels, trampling by livestock and predators has been proven to be effective. When a nest is found it is marked and the eggs are Float Tested to determine the age of the eggs. The nests are then enclosed with a wire dome that protects the nest from predators while still leaving enough space for the parents to pass through. High water levels this year at Lake Diefenbaker has caused a prob-lem of nests being too close to the shoreline forcing the nests to be moved as it was predicted for the lake to rise over a meter in less than a week during nesting season. Nests that were to close to the water line had to be moved further inland; each nest, along with some of the surrounding rocks, were care-fully lifted to a sled and moved inland one meter at a time. After the parents located the nest, the process was repeated until the nest was a safe distance from the shoreline. This is a long and painstaking process which can take the entire day to move only one nest.

Land managers can reduce their impact on the Piping Plover through Beneficial Management Practices such as avoiding having livestock on the shoreline when Piping Plovers are nesting from May to July. This prevents the nests from being trampled and deep holes from hove prints being made that plover chicks can get stuck in and can not get out (also known as pugging and humocking). Plovers On Shore is a voluntary landowner stewardship program through Nature Saskatchewan (NS) that works with landowners who have Plovers on their land to con-serve this endangered species and it’s habitat. By working together, the Piping Plover will be enjoyed for years to come.

MY EXPERIENCE AT THE LAKE DIEFENBAKER ANNUAL PIPING PLOVER CENSUS

P C A P N E W S L E T T E R

Piping Plover Nest with 4 Eggs

Wire Dome Nest Enclosure

Page 7 V O L U M E 2 , I S S U E 7

S A S K A D O P T . C A

SaskAdapt.ca SaskAdapt.ca SaskAdapt.ca SaskAdapt.ca -------- Saskatchewan's climate change impacts Saskatchewan's climate change impacts Saskatchewan's climate change impacts Saskatchewan's climate change impacts

and adaptation information centre and adaptation information centre and adaptation information centre and adaptation information centre

People who want to find out about the impacts of climate change in

Saskatchewan and information on adaptation actions can visit a new

website at www.SaskAdapt.ca.

Warmer and drier conditions resulting from climate change could have

significant consequences for our communities and economy. This new

website was developed by the Prairie Adaptation Research Collaborative

(PARC) at the University of Regina in partnership with the Saskatchewan

Ministry of Environment, through the Go Green Fund. SaskAdapt.ca is

Saskatchewan's climate change impacts and adaptation information centre.

Anyone interested in what the climate future of Saskatchewan holds should visit this website. Information

is provided both for specific locations (such as Saskatoon or Cypress Hills) and for specific themes (such

as agriculture, energy or biodiversity). For users with detailed needs, the website provides links to further

information. It includes a self-assessment tool for users to evaluate their vulnerability to climate change.

The new website puts Saskatchewan among the leaders nationally in providing information on the

impacts of climate change. Over the last ten years, as a partnership of the federal and three prairie

provincial governments, PARC has undertaken and organized many major research projects about past,

ongoing and future climate change in the prairie provinces. These projects have advanced the knowledge

of climate change impacts in Saskatchewan. SaskAdapt.ca summarizes the key elements of what is now

known about climate change in Saskatchewan in an accessible, non-technical manner.

SaskAdapt.ca represents an important component of the Government of Saskatchewan's commitment to

provide clear, authoritative, scientific information about climate change impacts and adaptation options

in our province. SaskAdapt.ca is also an example of the University of Regina's motto: "As one who serves".

For more information, visit: www.SaskAdapt.ca or www.parc.ca.

For more information about the census or how you can volunteer in 2011, please contact Corie White with the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority at (306) 787-9057.

For more information on the voluntary stewardship program, Plovers On Shore, please contact Rebecca Magnus with Nature Saskatchewan at (306) 780-9832.

Piping Plover Photos by Julie Fisowich

Photo by Krista Connick-Todd

Broken Wing Display

Page 8

Saskatchewan Forage Council Tour & Annual General MeetingSaskatchewan Forage Council Tour & Annual General MeetingSaskatchewan Forage Council Tour & Annual General MeetingSaskatchewan Forage Council Tour & Annual General Meeting

July 8, 2010 — Hague, SK

Registration (including lunch) - $20/person. Pre-register by July 5th. For more information, call the SFC office at (306) 966-

2148 or email office@saskforge.ca

Teaching and Learning with Monarch Butterflies Teaching and Learning with Monarch Butterflies Teaching and Learning with Monarch Butterflies Teaching and Learning with Monarch Butterflies ---- Monarch Teacher Network Monarch Teacher Network Monarch Teacher Network Monarch Teacher Network

July 26-27, 2010 - Saskatoon, SK

Space is limited so apply early.

http://www.monarchteachernetwork-westerncanada.com/

Rare Plant Survey Techniques Course 2010 Rare Plant Survey Techniques Course 2010 Rare Plant Survey Techniques Course 2010 Rare Plant Survey Techniques Course 2010 ---- Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan

July 28-29, 2010 - Saskatoon, SK

For more information, contact NPSS at (306) 668-3940 or info@npss.sk.ca.

Native Prairie Speaker SeriesNative Prairie Speaker SeriesNative Prairie Speaker SeriesNative Prairie Speaker Series————SK PCAPSK PCAPSK PCAPSK PCAP

Starting again in September 2010!

Fall Meet Fall Meet Fall Meet Fall Meet ---- Nature Saskatchewan Nature Saskatchewan Nature Saskatchewan Nature Saskatchewan

October 1-3, 2010 - Indian Head, SK

http://www.naturesask.ca/?s=news&p=&id=461

Native Prairie Restoration/Reclamation Workshop Native Prairie Restoration/Reclamation Workshop Native Prairie Restoration/Reclamation Workshop Native Prairie Restoration/Reclamation Workshop ———— SK PCAP SK PCAP SK PCAP SK PCAP

Wednesday, February 16 & Thursday, February 17, 2011 - Regina, SK

Watch the PCAP newsletter and website for more information.

U P C OM I N G E V E N T S & W O R K S H O P S

P C A P N E W S L E T T E R

PCAP Native Prairie Speakers Series Topics Needed!PCAP Native Prairie Speakers Series Topics Needed!PCAP Native Prairie Speakers Series Topics Needed!PCAP Native Prairie Speakers Series Topics Needed!

We are still looking for topics and speakers for the 2010-2011 Native Prairie Speaker Series to begin

this fall in September. As 2010 is the International Year of Biodiversity, we are trying to relate

presentations to this theme but any suggestions are welcome!

Please send suggestions to Michelle at (306) 352-0472 or pcap@saskel.net.

Hairy PrairieHairy PrairieHairy PrairieHairy Prairie----CloverCloverCloverClover

Photo by Rebecca Magnus, Nature Saskatchewan

Photos by Andrea Kotylak

PO Box 4752

Regina, SK S4P 3Y4

Phone: (306) 352-0472

Fax: (306) 569-8799

E-mail: pcap@sasktel.net

The Prairie Conservation Action Plan Prairie Conservation Action Plan Prairie Conservation Action Plan Prairie Conservation Action Plan (PCAP) (PCAP) (PCAP) (PCAP) Partnership brings together a genc ies an d or gan iz at i ons representing producers, industry, provincial & federal governments, non-government organizations and research & educational institutions working towards a common vision of prair ie and spec ies at r isk conservation in Saskatchewan.

Our Mission:Our Mission:Our Mission:Our Mission: The PCAP partnership represents the collaborative efforts of multiple interests toward promoting and conserving Saskatchewan's native prairie. The PCAP Partners work together to deliver innovative and critical prairie conservation activities that represent the shared objectives of a diverse mix of stakeholders and that benefit the social, cultural, economic and ecological fabric of Saskatchewan.

Our Ecosystem Goal:Our Ecosystem Goal:Our Ecosystem Goal:Our Ecosystem Goal: Native prairie ecosystem health and biodiversity are conserved and restored as part of a functioning landscape.

Our Economic Goal:Our Economic Goal:Our Economic Goal:Our Economic Goal: Sustainable uses of native prairie improve the liveli-hoods of Saskatchewan people.

Our Cultural Goal:Our Cultural Goal:Our Cultural Goal:Our Cultural Goal: Native prairie is a valued part of our culture and identity as Saskatchewan people.

P R A I R I E C O N S E R V A T I O N A C T I O N P L A N

www.pcap-sk.org

Focus Groups:Focus Groups:Focus Groups:Focus Groups:

At Home on the Prairie

Prospering with Prairie

Caring for Prairie

Accounting for Prairie

A Working Prairie

OUR VISION:

HEALTHY NATIVE PRAIRIE ECOSYSTEMS AS VITAL PARTS OF

OUR VIBRANT AND STRONG COMMUNITIES.

The PCAP gratefully acknowledges funding and in-kind support from:

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) through Agri-Environment Services Branch (AESB) and Semiarid Prairie

Agricultural Research Centre (SPARC), Agriculture Council of Saskatchewan through the Advancing Canadian

Agriculture and Agri-Food Saskatchewan (ACAAFS) program, the Carl Block Memorial Stewardship Education Fund

(CBMSEF), Cattle Marketing Deductions Fund (CMDF), Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC), Environment Canada (EC)

through the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS), Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), Government of Canada Habitat

Stewardship Program for Species at Risk (HSP), Horned Cattle Purchases Fund (HCPF), Nature Conservancy of

Canada (NCC), Nature Saskatchewan (NS), Parks Canada - Grasslands National Park of Canada (PC-GNP),

Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM), Saskatchewan Burrowing Owl Interpretive Centre (SBOIC),

Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture (SMA), Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment (SME), Saskatchewan Ministry of

Environment – Go Green Fund, Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment – Fish and Wildlife Development Fund (FWDF),

Saskatchewan Ministry of Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport – Royal Saskatchewan Museum (RSM), Saskatchewan

Stock Growers Association (SSGA), Saskatchewan Watershed Authority (SWA), SaskEnergy, SaskPower,

TransCanada Corporation, the University of Regina (UofR) and the University of Saskatchewan – College of Agriculture

and Bioresources (UofS).