Why a SK PCAP Partnership

Grasslands are one of the world's most threatened ecosystems, making them a conservation priority. In North America, tall-grass prairie has been reduced to 1%, and mixed-grass and short-grass prairie to 20-30% of their former range, together exceeding losses reported for any other major ecological community on the continent.1 In Saskatchewan, it is estimated that between 17% and 21% of the original native prairie remains intact.2 Despite increasing awareness of the value of healthy prairie ecosystems, loss of native prairie continues.3

Our remaining native prairie is a valuable resource that touches many lives and many interest groups. Some, such as ranchers, rely on the sustainable use of prairie for their very livelihood. For others, native prairie may be of cultural, spiritual or recreational importance. Many landowners, government and non-government agencies play a role in the stewardship and protection of native prairie as well, representing many interests. Integrating these efforts and defining common outcomes among the players is fundamental to effective prairie conservation.

To that end, the SK PCAP Partnership works to:

• Develop and foster common vision and goals, identify priority issues and develop and implement actions to address conservation and sustainable management of native prairie,
• Avoid duplication and identify and fill gaps in native prairie research and activities among the partners,
• Improve public understanding and valuing of native prairie through initiatives such as the Native Prairie Appreciation Week,
• Share ideas and find common ground where possible while respecting differing ideas.

1 Gauthier, D.A., A. Lafon, T.P. Toombs, J. Hoth, and E. Wiken. 2003. Grasslands: Toward a North American Conservation Strategy. Commission for Environmental Cooperation and the Canadian Plains Research Center, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan.

2 Hammermeister, A.M., D. Gauthier, and K. McGovern. 2001. Saskatchewan's Native Prairie: Statistics of a Vanishing Ecosystem and Dwindling Resource. Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan Inc., Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

3 Watmough, M.D. and M.J. Schmoll. 2007. Environment Canada's Prairie and Northern Habitat Monitoring Program Phase II: Recent habitat trends in the PHJV. Unpublished Report. Environment Canada, Canadian Wildlife Service, Edmonton, Alberta.