GOAL 1:  TO SUSTAIN A HEALTHY NATIVE PRAIRIE GRAZING RESOURCE

Objective 1 - Promote grazing management programs that are based on economically and scientifically sound principles

I 1 a

Continue extension programming with landowners

4

I 1 b

Host workshops, field days, range schools and other extension events

4

I 1 c

Produce and distribute extension materials for land managers

3

I 1 d

Provide ongoing training and resources for extension staff

4

I 1 e

Update and publish the “Range Plan Development Guide”

3

Objective 2 - Explore the economics of maintaining a healthy range resource for grazing

I 2 a

Encourage development of conservation cover programs that contribute to the ecological and socio-economic sustainability of rangelands

3

I 2 b

Develop an incentive-based lease rate structure program to encourage enhanced management on Crown leases

1

Objective 3 - Recognize and support the efforts of private and public land managers and industry that conserve native prairie

I 3 a

Increase support, awareness and publicity for both the SSGA/Royal Bank TESAward and the SRM Outstanding Achievement Award

4

I 3 b

Acknowledge the efforts of Award winners through development of a comprehensive communication plan (print media, advertising, presentations etc.)

3

Objective 4 - Increase the inventory of range resources on public and private lands to promote guidance on grazing management plans

 4 a

Complete range assessments and management plans for remaining pastures plus assessments on Crown leases

4

I 4 b

Promote range health assessment and management plan development on private lands (e.g. range schools

3

I 4 c

Promote range health assessment and management plan development on lands owned and managed by each respective agency or organization

3

I 4 d

Compile a “state of the resource” report, compiling all available public and private inventory data and analysis

1

GOAL 2:  TO CONSERVE THE REMAINING PRAIRIE RESOURCE

Objective 1 - Complete and maintain an inventory of native prairie

II 1 a

Acquire and interpret the most recent land cover and soils maps for southern Saskatchewan (update 2001 NPSS/UofS-CPRC publication

2

II 1 b

Identify areas of high risk for drainage or destruction

2

II 1 c

Coordinate the development of land information databases as tools for landowner negotiation, extension and technology transfer

3

Objective 2 - Continue to develop a system of managed conservation areas

II 2 a

Work towards completion of the RAN in the Prairie Ecozone

3

II 2 b

Identify and ensure that areas that are a priority for conservation receive protection

3

Objective 3 - Encourage voluntary stewardship to conserve native prairie

II 3 a

Support private stewardship programs that involve landowner extension work

3

II 3 b

Develop a landowner stewardship program directory

5

Objective 4 - Ensure that the remaining native prairie is protected from cultivation and development

II 4 a

Maintain the Crown’s commitment to conserving native prairie under its control; excluding prior commitments and promises made

4

II 4 b

Review all Crown land proposed sales involving native prairie and register CE’s where appropriate

3

II 4 c

In all circumstances, if WHPA land is sold a CE should be placed on the property to ensure that the natural values of the land receive the same level of protection as provided under WHPA

1

II 4 d

Acknowledge that under certain conditions there are options to make a CE agreement for a designated length of time rather than in perpetuity

5

Objective 5 - Improve the use of Conservation Easements (CEs) and other tools to conserve native prairie that accommodate and respect agricultural interests

II 5 a

Promote the use of CE’s to maintain native prairie on private lands

3

II 5 b

Do a gap analysis for non-purchase securement tools

2

II 5 c

Determine the types and levels of incentives required for native prairie conservation

2

II 5 d

Improve and simplify the process, agreements and valuation procedures for CE’s

1

II 5 e

Develop protocols, monitor and police CE’s

3

II 5 f

Determine the effect of CE’s on land values

3

II 5 g

Develop a forum for landowners to discuss pros and cons of CE's and other conservation tools

1

Objective 6 - Ensure that property taxation and assessment policies are favorable to native prairie conservation

II 6 a

Determine the impact of existing tax assessment policies and land use ratings on conservation of native prairie. Change policies that encourage “development” of land or place an unrealistic value on native prairie

3

II 6 b

Develop “conservation land” category with SAMA which better recognizes the public values provided

1

Objective 7 - Adopt and improve regulations, policies, programs, and economic instruments that reward rather than penalize stewardship and conservation of native prairie ecosystems

II 7 a

Identify and prioritize those regulations, policies, programs and economic instruments that are most significant

2

II 7 b

Promote adherence to federal and provincial wetland policies

2

II 7 c

Work to change regulations that are in conflict with stated government policies

3

II 7 d

Develop watershed conservation and/or restoration plans and improve watershed management

3

Objective 8 - Encourage government and industry to improve regulations, monitoring and technology to minimize negative impacts upon native prairie

II 8 a

Encourage industry to adopt the least invasive technologies when working on native prairie

3

II 8 b

Develop and deliver industry-specific conservation and stewardship education programs

3

II 8 c

Encourage government and industry to develop cumulative impacts guidelines

3

GOAL 3: TO MAINTAIN NATIVE PRAIRIE BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

Objective 1 – Improve our understanding of native prairie biological diversity

III 1 a

Encourage studies and research on native prairie ecosystems with emphasis on the effects of different land management practices on key components of native biodiversity

3

III 1 b

Develop prairie ecosystem management decision support computer model that includes representative components of native biodiversity as one of the model outputs

3

Objective 2 - Promote management of native prairie to maintain biological diversity

III 2 a

Develop and incorporate biodiversity best management practice recommendations in range extension communication products

3

III 2 b

Encourage information exchange between range managers, biologists and others

4

Objective 3 - Control the threat and impact of introduced invasive species to native prairie

III 3 a

Identify and promote awareness of the negative impacts of introduced and invasive species to native prairie

2

III 3 b

Investigate and promote methods to manage and control invasive species

2

III 3 c

Discourage the introduction of additional non-native species that threaten native prairie biodiversity (e.g. development of protective buffer areas around significant native prairie areas by seeding non-invasive pasture species

3

Objective 4 - Promote restoration and recovery of native prairie ecosystems

III 4 a

Promote practical research to refine and increase use of restoration technology including the evaluation of the agricultural potential of using native species in forage production and grazing systems

4

III 4 b

Encourage the development and use of native seed mixes in permanent cover, reclamation programs and projects

3

III 4 c

Promote communication of Species at Risk legislation to stakeholders and actively encourage that implementation of the legislation be guided by the principal of working cooperatively with land managers

3

III 4 d

Identify restoration and recovery targets of high conservation value, assess the feasibility of restoration and recovery of those targets, and develop restoration strategies for suitable target sites

3

GOAL 4: TO PROMOTE COMPLEMENTARY SUSTAINABLE USES OF NATIVE PRAIRIE

Objective 1 – Promote community based business opportunities associated with native prairie

IV 1 a

Provide the tourism industry and community organizations with information and technical experience to support hunting, fishing, eco- and agri-tourism and other recreational activities

2

IV 1 b

Liaise with rural revitalization groups to develop guidelines to ensure sustainable use of native prairie

1

Objective 2 – Encourage the development of a native plant production industry

IV 2 a

Develop a native plant materials centre for research and development

2

IV 2 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

3

IV 2 c

Encourage the establishment of new, mandatory testing and certification programs for native, forage, and horticultural species, varieties, cultivars and ecological varieties at the Federal and Provincial levels

2

IV 2 d

Promote the development of local native seed growers, processors, suppliers and testing facilities

2

Objective 3 – Advance the exploration of native prairie towards the sustainable development of other bio-based products

IV 3 a

Develop exploration and research and development tax credits or other incentives for companies exploring and developing new bio-based products

1

IV 3 b

Develop guidelines, management plans, and licensing for the harvest of native prairie species

1

Objective 4 – Recognize and quantify the socio-economic contribution of native prairie and perennial grasslands

IV 4 a

Survey the literature and conduct gap analysis regarding ecological services including grazing, and communicate the findings

3

IV 4 b

Encourage organizations to quantify and report on the economic and social benefits associated with their particular use of the native prairie resources economic and social benefits

2

GOAL 5: TO INCREASE AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING OF NATIVE PRAIRIE AND ITS VALUES

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

V 1 a

Increase co-ordination and communication between agencies conducting research on native prairie ecosystems and feature a presentation relating to a particular Goal at each PCAP meeting

3

V 1 b

Maintain and regularly update the PCAP website

3

V 1 c

Link PCAP Partners to (and from) PCAP Website

3

V 1 d

Recruit new PCAP Partners

4

V 1 e

Promote the PCAP through the media

3

V 1 f

Compile and distribute annual Partner Updates

3

V 1 g

Promote the PCAP at trade-shows, conferences etc

2

V 1 h

Encourage Partners to regularly update staff and members

2

V 1 i

Provide newsletter articles to PCAP Partners and post them on websites

2

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

V 2 a

Conduct and report on a questionnaire survey assessing public awareness, understanding and appreciation of native prairie

1

Objective 3 - Coordinate PCAP communication and education activities with other native prairie conservation initiatives

V 3 a

Contribute to the development of the CEC North American Grassland Conservation Strategy

3

V 3 b

Exchange information on a regular basis with other Prairie Conservation groups

3

Objective 4 - Educate the general public about native prairie ecosystems

V 4 a

Develop and deliver youth education programs

4

V 4 b

Develop and distribute educational materials