GOAL IV: TO PROMOTE
COMPLEMENTARY SUSTAINABLE USES OF NATIVE PRAIRIE
Progress Summary - submitted by Ann Reimer (SE)
GOAL GROUP 4
MEMBERS: Ann Riemer (SE), Garth Wruck
(NPSS), Michael Schellenberg (AAFC-SPARC), Shelly Heidinger (SP)
Objective 1: Promote community-based business
opportunities associated with native prairie
Progress on this Objective is below target. The intent of this Objective is to liaise with rural revitalization and community groups to provide information and develop sustainable use guidelines in support of environmental tourism and recreation. Much of the information getting out to the community, while informative about the environment, does not specifically support the ‘business end’ of community-based enterprises. Further progress will require a more coordinated approach, perhaps through an existing tourism organization, that combines business planning with environmental and recreational expertise.
Progress on this Objective is below target. A number of agencies are conducting research to examine the potential use of native species as beneficial and adaptable forage, wildlife and restoration species, but there is not yet a commitment to develop a dedicated native plant materials research centre.
The widely used Restoration of Saskatchewan’s Agricultural Crown Rangelands, containing sector specific guidelines that ensure proponents use native species to re-vegetate next to native habitats, is under revision. Although seed certificates are often requested for commercial work and funded planting initiatives, there is no mandatory testing or seed standards that are appropriate for native species. Partners continue to develop a provincial native seed standard for seed used on ecologically sensitive lands.
A well attended ‘Native Seed’ workshop was held in Swift Current in December, 2005 to stimulate the native seed industry in south-west Saskatchewan. Presentations involved topics from growing/marketing native seed, to using native species for forage. However, there is still a need to promote local seed sources and assist producers in marketing their native seeds. Better marketing tools, such as a real-time producer accessed web site for seed supplies and testing facilities may improve market access. Progress is underway to develop such a site.
Additional work is needed to promote the use of native species in horticulture and landscaping. These industries could provide producers with a high end market for some locally produced seeds.
Objective 3: Advance the exploration of
native prairie towards the sustainable development of other bio-based products
There was no progress on this Objective in 2005-2006. As for 2004-2005, participating agencies do not feel they are able to develop the incentives necessary for encouraging the use of prairie resources for bio-based products. Agencies better positioned to achieve this have not yet partnered with PCAP. Guidelines and licensing for the harvest of non-game prairie species that would facilitate the monitoring of sustainable use are still required, but not yet completed.
Objective 4: Recognize and quantify the
socio-economic contribution of native prairie and perennial grasslands.
Progress on this Objective is below target with respect to organizations reporting on the economic value of the variety of prairie uses, but is on target in some areas of research. In particular, there has been an increase in the amount of research to evaluate the potential of native forage to sequester carbon. A study was also undertaken to assess whether the level of “environmental awareness” of consumers affected their willingness to pay a premium for environmentally friendly food.