IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY:

GOAL IV: TO PROMOTE COMPLEMENTARY SUSTAINABLE

USES OF NATIVE PRAIRIE

Objective	Actions (RANKING) (LEAD AND SUPPORTING PARTNERS as in 2003-2008 PCAP)	Timetable	Partner Update and contact information
1. Promote community-based business opportunities associated with native prairie.	a) Provide the tourism industry and community organizations with information and technical experience to support hunting, fishing, eco- and agritourism and other recreational activities. Ranking: Partner Update # 4: FAIR Partner Update # 5: 2 Partner Update # 6: 2 (FNACS, NS, PC-GNP, SAF, SE, SSGA, SWA)	Since 2003 Since 2002 2005 Since 1949 2005 2000-2004 2005 Since 2004 January 9, 2003 2003-2004 2005 –2006 Since 1996 1998 2005-2007	DUC has been working with interested partners on the reclamation of uplands on a portion of Wascana Creek (contact Michael Champion). DUC has been working with several First Nations to identify optimal land uses, including the potential for ecotourism, hunting and fishing opportunities (contact Richard McBride). NS’s Spring and Fall meets have provided community organizations with information and opportunities for nature recreational activities. In 2005, NS’s Spring Meet was held in Eastend, and the Fall Meet in Regina (contact Margaret Skeel). NS’ Bird Quest and Plant Quest programs provided community workshops to enhance people’s skills and recreational enjoyment of nature. In 2005 this was replaced by Nature Quest, in which naturalists deliver natural history presentations in schools and communities. NS plans to develop a presentation on the prairie grasslands (contact Paul Wilson). NS’s PlantWatch program, the SK part of a national PlantWatch program, encourages individuals and schools to participate in documenting blooming dates of target plant species.  The information helps with understanding climate change; personal reduction of greenhouse gases is encouraged.  42 individuals participate in PlantWatch in SK (contact Tara Sample).  SAF organized an Agritourism Workshop in Assiniboia in which PCAP, SE, and SRM delivered presentations (contact Karyn Scalise). SRC is assisting the Cowessess First Nation with technical information on developing an ecotourism operation on their lands (contact Bob Godwin). SBOIC reported a total of 4,671visitors to the Centre for a total of 24,436 visitations since 1996 (contact Claire Sanders). SWA is a founding member in the development of the SK Birding Trail, and works closely with communities in the Chaplin and Quill lakes areas to develop their ecotourism sites. A ‘Community Planning Guide and Framework Strategy’ for developing ecotourism sites, as well as a Birding Trail map (2002) are available from SWA’s website (contact Sharon Metz). U of S Geography is studying "Park-Neighbour Relations" toward recommendations for the collaborative management and biodiversity conservation in protected areas within “working landscapes,” involving Grasslands, Prince Albert and Riding Mountain National Parks (contact Diane Martz or Maureen Reed).
	b) Liaise with rural revitalization groups to develop guidelines to ensure sustainable use of native prairies. Ranking: Partner Update # 4: POOR Partner Update # 5: 2 Partner Update # 6: 1 (FNACS, NPSS, NS, PC-GNP, SAF, SE, SSGA, SWA, SWF)	1999-2002 2003-2004	NS’s Important Bird Areas (IBA) program has developed Community Conservation Plans with community stakeholders for 13 IBA sites. These include promoting community opportunities (contact Margaret Skeel). SWA’s Watershed and Aquifer Planning Division has set up Watershed Advisory Committees for the North SK River, the South SK River, Upper QuÁppelle River, Moose Jaw River, Upper Assiniboine River, Lower Souris River, and the Yorkton Recharge Area. These Advisory committees are made up of local producers, RM representatives and stakeholders (contact Robin Todd).
2. Encourage the development of a native plant production industry.	a) Develop a native plant materials centre for research and development. Ranking: Partner Update # 4: POOR Partner Update # 5: 2 Partner Update # 6: 2 (AAFC-SPARC, DUC, EC-CWS, NPSS, PC-GNP, SE)	Since 1994 Since 2005 Since 2004 Since 2003	AAFC-SPARC, DUC and various seed industry representatives are developing and evaluating several native ecovars®. Ongoing research studies are planned in 2004-2005 with Canadian milk-vetch, sideoats grama and prairie sandreed (contact Grant McLeod, Mike Schellenberg, or Alan Iwaasa). AAFC-SPARC research initiated to examine nutritional optimization of more diverse mixes of native species, and seed ecology of native species (contact Mike Schellenberg). AAFC-SPARC have initiated a closer research collaboration with PMC in North Dakota (Bismarck), BLM Great Basin Native Plant Selection and Increase Project and Utah State in evaluating new potential native grasses, and forbs that are adapted and potentially grazing benefit to our ecoregion (contact Alan Iwaasa ). AAFC-SPARC, DUC and Proven Seed have initiated a number of research collaboration, tours and workshops to better facilitate the understanding and proper utilization of native ecovars for grazing and re-establishment (contact Alan Iwaasa).
	b) Develop educational materials and guidelines to promote the use and production of non-invasive native plant materials for re-vegetation in and adjacent to native areas. Ranking: Partner Update # 4: FAIR Partner Update # 5: 3 Partner Update # 6: 3 (AAFC-SPARC, DUC, EC-CWS, FNACS, NPSS, SE, SWA)	January 2004 July 2003 Since 1994 Since 1995 August 2004 August 2003 Since 1999 2003 2006-2007 2004 2005	AAFC-PFRA Greencover Canada Program – native component in the ‘Forage Selection Guide’ outlines guidelines for native forage seedings; includes advantages, risks, and chart of long-lived native species for each soil zone (contact Bill Houston). AAFC-PFRA Greencover Canada Program requires that applicants provide a forage seed ‘Certificate of Analysis’ as part of their seeding contract, outlining pure live seed and weeds present, in an effort to improve the overall quality of native and tame forage seedings undertaken in the program. Applicants for the native component must also take the time to visit with a SAF or AAFC-PFRA approved native forage specialist (contact Chris Nykoluk). AAFC-SPARC develops and evaluates recommendations for the use of different native grasses, forbs and shrubs for revegetation for agricultural benefit (contact Grant McLeod, Mike Schellenberg, or Alan Iwaasa). EC-CWS develops and refines guidelines on the use of native plant material and seed mixtures for restoration or revegetation projects (contact Ron Bennett). NPSS delivered native seed wild-harvest workshops at Old Man On His Back Prairie Heritage and Conservation Area near Eastend. Participants: 11 in 2004; 17 in 2003) (contact Garth Wruck – NPSS). NPSS has developed the brochure ‘Guidelines for the Collection and Use of Native Plants and the publication ‘Native Seed Harvesting and Marketing’ (contact Garth Wruck) NPSS produced the following publications: ‘Prairie Roots: A Handbook for Native Prairie Restoration’, and “Native Plant News: Seed and Restoration Special Edition newsletter on native seed and restoration industries (contact Garth Wruck). SAF has formed a committee that is working on a rewrite of the 1999 document entitled Restoration of Saskatchewan’s Agricultural Crown Rangeland.It outlines guidelines and procedures for the development and restoration of land affected by seismic operations, oil and gas activity, sand and gravel pits, and road development. This document is available on the SAF website at www.agr.gov.sk.ca (contact Todd Jorgenson). SE developed guidelines, Environmental Considerations in Road Construction, indicating the possible requirement to use native species for revegetation, particularly where sites support native vegetation (contact Diane Livingstone). UofR-CPRC published a collection of papers called Managing Changing Prairie Landscapes, including an overview of recent research on native forage production (contact Dr. David Gauthier).
	c) Encourage the establishment of new, mandatory testing and certification programs for native, forage, and horticultural species, varieties, cultivars and ecological varieties at federal and provincial levels. Ranking: Partner Update # 4: POOR Partner Update # 5: 2 Partner Update # 6: 2 (AAFC-PFRA, AAFC-SPARC, DUC, NPSS, SAF, SE, SP, SSGA, SWA)	Since 1994 Since June 2005 January 2004 March 2005 March 2005-June 2005 Since 1970’s 2005	AAFC-SPARC is conducting ongoing research on the evaluation and testing of a number of native ecovars® (contact Grant McLeod or Mike Schellenberg). NPSS is represented on the Native Seed Quality Task Force (an initiative of national seed analysts associations, seed producers and users in the United States and Canada). The task force is working to develop testing protocols for seed analysis of native plant species. The idea is to standardize methods within and among labs (contact Garth Wruck). NPSS provided information to the Canada Food Inspection Agency on requirements for native seed variety testing. Problems with current list of noxious weeds under the Canada Seeds Act and the sale of new forage varieties (not currently registered) that could be potential invasive species were also discussed (contact Garth Wruck). NPSS developed position statements on native plant species currently listed within the Weeds Order of the Canada Seeds Act and invasive alien species that should be include. (contact Garth Wruck) NPSS and SE will conduct a feasibility study in consultation with the native plant seed industry to identify the capacity for the development of provincial criteria and standards of native plant seed for use on ecologically sensitive/important lands (contact Garth Wruck – NPSS Greg Riemer – SE). SAF, AAFC-SPARC, EC-CWS, NPSS and others involved in forages or rangeland, including testing and evaluation of new tame forages and native species, serve on the SK Advisory Council on Forage Crops (contact Michel Tremblay). SE has initiated a Saskatchewan Ecologically Sensitive Seed Initiative to examine the feasibility of establishing a native seed certification system for SK. Certification would be mandatory for native seed used on SE administered lands (contact Greg Riemer).
	d) Promote the development of local native seed growers, processors, suppliers and testing facilities. Ranking: Partner Update # 4: FAIR Partner Update # 5: 2 Partner Update # 6: 2 (AAFC-PFRA, AAFC-SPARC, DUC, FNACS, NPSS, SAF, SE, UofS –C.Ag)	July 2003 Since 1994 December 14, 2005 2003 Since 1999 Summer 2005 2005 Since 1991 2003-present	AAFC-PFRA Greencover Canada Program includes a native forages component that will help stimulate demand for locally grown native forage seed, as did the requirement to reclaim any developments on AAFC-PFRA community pastures with native species - a requirement since 1992 (contact Chris Nykoluk). AAFC-SPARC conducts research on evaluating and developing processes to aid native seed growers and seed suppliers (contact Grant McLeod and Mike Schellenberg). NPSS delivered a presentation to the native seed industry and potentially interested producers at a workshop in Swift Current delivered by SAF, SWA and DUC with funding from Greencover TAC. The presentation dealt with understanding the native seed market (contact Garth Wruck). NPSS delivered 4 presentations promoting the use of native plants for horticultural and landscaping purposes and 3 CBC radio interviews on the native seed industry (contact Garth Wruck). NPSS continues to provide the native plant materials suppliers and producers listing service on their website (contact Garth Wruck). SAF reports that the Weed Seeds Order of the Canada Seed Act was amended to remove 15 native species from the noxious weeds prohibited list (contact Michel Tremblay). SE’s Saskatchewan Ecologically Sensitive Seed Initiative, if deemed feasible, should lead to a larger, more stable market for quality native seed and increase the need for local testing and processing facilities (contact Greg Riemer) SP uses and recommends local native seed source whenever possible in remediation activities along its transmission and distribution line construction projects (contact Shelley Heidinger). SWA recommends and purchases seed from local growers for restoration projects whenever possible (Jennifer Lohmeyer).
3. Advance the exploration of native prairie towards the sustainable development of other bio-based products.	a) Develop exploration and research and development tax credits and other incentives for companies exploring and development new bio-based products. Ranking: Partner Update # 4: POOR Partner Update # 5: 1 Partner Update # 6: 1 (AAFC-SPARC, AAFC-PFRA, SAF, SE, UofS – C.Ag)
	b) Develop guidelines, management plans, and licensing for the harvest of native prairie species. Ranking: Partner Update # 4: FAIR Partner Update # 5: 2 Partner Update # 6: 1 (AAFC-PFRA, EC-CWS, NPSS, SE, SAF, SSGA)	Since 1998 Since 1994 2004	AAFC-PFRA has a policy for harvesting native seed on Community Pastures; policy incorporates SKCDC rare plant status (contact Chris Nykoluk). EC-CWS has developed, and continually improves upon, guidelines for the wild-harvesting of native plant material (contact Ron Bennett). SE released the Saskatchewan Biodiversity Action Plan which states that it will, by 2005, examine the need for policy or legislation to address the harvest of wild plants (contact Ann Riemer).
4. Recognize and quantify the socio-economic contribution of native prairie and perennial grasslands.	a) Survey the literature and conduct gap analyses regarding ecological services including grazing and carbon sequestration, and communicate the findings. Ranking: Partner Update # 4: FAIR Partner Update # 5: 2 Partner Update # 6: 3 (UofR-CPRC, AAFC-SPARC, All)	2006 Since 2000 2006-2008 2001- 2015 2005 Since 2001 2005 2004-2006	AAFC-PFRA, AAFC- Brandon Research Station, with funding from AAFC-MII and SP, conducted research to examine relationships between range condition and greenhouse gas carbon sequestration at 2 AAFC-PFRA Community Pastures. Field work was conducted in 2000 and 2001, with lab work continuing on in 2002.  A large amount of data was analyzed and currently 3 peer reviewed research papers are being prepared to be submitted to scientific journals.  The research indicates that movement of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide are related to biomass, soil moisture, temperature, and landscape location, among others.  (contact Brant Kirychuk). AAFC-SPARC in collaboration with NCC-Old Man on His Back (OMB) and with funding from NCC will examine soil carbon sequestration, and above ground biomass differences found within recently seeded land at OMB and SPARC. All seedings will be grazed during the study (contact Mike Schellenberg AAFC-SPARC or Cheri Sykes NCC). AAFC-SPARC established long term plots to determine differences between native and introduced grass species, warm season and cool season grasses, and monocultures and mixtures. The differences to quantify are biomass production, soil carbon sequestration, adaptation to changing environment and soil microbial diversity (contact Mike Schellenberg AAFC-SPARC). AAFC-SPARC invited presentations and publications in the Prairie Forum 2005 titled “Re-evaluation of native plant species for seeding and grazing by livestock on the semiarid prairie of western Canada”. This paper provides new insight on the benefits of using native species for agricultural and non-agricultural benefits (contact Alan Iwaasa or Mike Schellenberg). AAFC-SPARC conducts research to evaluate and determine the potential environmental benefits of different native prairies on improving soil organic quality microbial population, insect biodiversity and carbon sequestration potential compared to annual cropping systems. Several field days and oral presentations have been delivered demonstrating the potential environmental and sustainability that native pastures can provide, including at the 7^th PCAES Conference (contact Alan Iwaasa or Mike Schellenberg). SSGA, through its Beef Industry Committee, analyzed methods of trading carbon credits and makes recommendations based on the analysis (contact Tim Highmoor). U of S with funding support from AAFC-CARDS developed a questionnaire to compare the willingness by environmental group members compared to randomly drawn Saskatoon residents to accept a price premium on food grown, processed and distributed in an environmentally-supportive manner (contact Ken Belcher or Joe Schmutz).
	b) Encourage organizations to quantify and report on the economic and social benefits associated with their particular use of the native prairie resources. Ranking: Partner Update # 4: FAIR Partner Update # 5: 2 Partner Update # 6: 2 (All)	Since 2004 2005-2006 2005-2006 June 2002 2005-2006 2005 Since 2003 2005 2003 2005	AAFC-PFRA, in conjunction with provinces and stakeholders, developed a draft EGS policy framework, policy principles, criteria for pilot research initiatives and work plans. AAFC-PFRA worked through the National Agri-Environmental Coordinating Committee (Environment Chapter of the APF) to advance broader communication and develop a sound basis for EGS policy. Analytical research on EG&S policy drivers, policy tools and international experience was completed. AAFC-PFRA will engage industry groups and other stakeholders to address key information gaps through pilot research initiatives (contact Dean Smith). Initiatives include: · AAFC-PFRA staff are involved in the development of pilot research initiatives in MB, PEI and ON. The MB EGS pilot (RM of Blanshard) is expected to go ahead in spring 2006 (contact Chris Nykoluk). · AAFC-PFRA, DUC, EC and MB Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives held a National Symposium on Ecological Goods and Services in Agriculture: approximately 200 representatives from 90 industry, environment and government organizations attended to share their perspectives and experience. Symposium results will inform policy development (contact Chris Nykoluk). AAFC-PFRA, through the U of S Department of Agricultural Economics, funded the ‘Public and Private Benefits and Costs on Federal Community Pastures’ study. This is a complex incomplete science but initial investigation indicated that the private and public benefit were practically equal (contact Chris Nykoluk). DUC is conducting research that explores the potential of prairie wetlands and agricultural lands to act as carbon sinks and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Government of Canada is investing $2.7 million in the research (contact Chuck Deschamps). DUC produced numerous articles on Natural Capital in its Conservator Magazine and produced a series of Ecological Goods and Services publications: “Value of Natural Capital” by Nancy Olewiler, Canada’s lead Environmental Economist urging government to put a price tag on EGS; “Natural Values” – the Importance of Wetlands and Upland Conservation Practices in Watershed; five EGS Fact Sheets: Ecological Goods and Services, Freshwater, Soil, Atmosphere, Biodiversity (Contact Cynthia Edwards, DUC). DUC has been studying the value of ecological goods and services as part of a process to develop a land conversion program to complement native rangeland (contact Richard McBride). SE, using a formula from Tourism SK, estimated t he value of wildlife hunting in the Prairie Ecozone for 2005 at $7,194,000. This number does not include the value of angling in the Prairie Ecozone (contact Brenda Kelly). SWA published the book ‘Stewardship and Economics of Cattle Wintering Sites’ and fact sheet ‘Economics of Riparian Grazing Management (contact Etienne Soulodre). UofS Department of Animal and Poultry Science is recruiting a specialist in Environmentally Sustainable Beef Production for teaching and research (contact Joe Schmutz).