GOAL V: TO INCREASE AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING OF NATIVE PRAIRIE AND ITS VALUES

Progress Summary - submitted by Lauren Burton (PCAP)

GOAL GROUP V MEMBERS: Rick West (DFO), Michelle Yaskowich (NS)

Claire Sanders (SBOIC), Karyn Scalise (PCAP), Lauren Burton (PCAP)

Objective 1: Promote awareness of the PCAP Vision, Goals, Objectives and Actions

Good progress was made on this Objective. The PCAP website is being updated more often than in the past; however several PCAP Partner websites do not appear to be linked back to the PCAP website. These Partners were notified and asked to link back to our website. Excellent progress was made on recruiting new PCAP partners as two new partners joined PCAP this year; the First Nations Agricultural Council of Saskatchewan (FNACS) and the Prairie Learning Centre (PLC). It was suggested that PCAP could submit press releases to weekly newspapers within our stewardship education program target areas. Partners are also reminded that PCAP submits articles to SSGA’s Stockgrower magazine and that these articles can easily be modified for inclusion in other Partner newsletters.

Objective 2: Evaluate public awareness, appreciation, and understanding of native prairie

Some progress was made on this Objective. The UofR-CPRC has received funding for conducting a survey in Southern Saskatchewan and Alberta that will contribute to this Objective.

Objective 3: Coordinate PCAP communication and education activities with other native prairie conservation initiatives at local, national and international levels.

Good progress was made on this Objective. PCAP is actively involved with planning the 8^th Prairie Conservation and Endangered Species Conference (PCESC) that will be held March 1-3, 2007. Participation at international events, including presentations at the SRM conference in 2005 and 2006, illustrates that the Saskatchewan PCAP is regarded as an effective model for grasslands conservation.

Objective 4: Educate the general public about native prairie ecosystems

Excellent progress was made on this Objective. This is attributed to the outstanding contributions made by Partners on PCAP stewardship education programs for youth audiences, including the Owls & Cows Tour and the Eco-X. Several Partners are also making great progress individually on program delivery to youth audiences.

Objective 5: Increase public appreciation of the beneficial role played by the livestock industry and other stewards in the management of native prairie.

Good progress was made on this Objective. No new activities were reported, however ongoing promotion occurs in various Partner newsletters and publications. It is thought that activities related to this Objective are largely under-reported as most Partners recognize ranchers and other prairie stewards in their ongoing work.