Nature Saskatchewan
Nature Saskatchewan is a provincial non-profit organization focused on promoting appreciation and understanding of the natural environment and protecting and preserving Saskatchewan's diverse ecosystems. It undertakes a broad range of programs and partnerships with organizations and landowners to achieve its objectives. Its vision is one of 'humanity in harmony with nature'.
Nature Saskatchewan was formed in 1949 as the Saskatchewan Natural History Society (SNHS) by local natural history societies throughout the province. The first such local society, the Territorial Natural History Society was founded in 1902. After 1905, local natural history societies (NHS) were formed in several cities, such as Regina, Moose Jaw, and Prince Albert. There are currently ten local NHS associates.
The SNHS took over publication of the Blue Jay, a journal that had been initiated by the Yorkton NHS in 1943. Published continuously by volunteers ever since, the Blue Jay has gained a national and international reputation and is distributed to university libraries and schools alike.
The Society began its series of special publications on natural history in 1958. By early 2004, with the publication of the Birds of Yorkton-Duck Mountain, 24 titles had been produced.
Nature Saskatchewan also publishes the quarterly Nature Views, a "big picture" view of environmental issues, with contributions from well-known naturalists. For the Centennial it also published Prairie Phoenix: The Red Lily, Lilium philadelphicum, in Saskatchewan and partnered with SaskPower's Shand Greenhouse to deliver 10,000 Western Red Lilies for planting in nature sanctuaries and other protected areas. It has also published species checklists and biodiversity guides for rural youth.
Nature Saskatchewan organizes Christmas Bird Counts (now ongoing for over 100 years across North America), which involves volunteers in monitoring bird populations.
The organization has a strong history in conservation and advocacy work. Early issues included protection of hawks, owls, and prairie dogs, and later the establishment of a provincial park in the Pasqua Hills and the Grasslands National Park. It has established six nature sanctuaries in areas of significant ecological character and administers them for conservation, educational, and scientific purposes.
Since the 1980s, the Society has been looked to as a partner or representative of the public viewpoint on many environmental and conservation issues. Nature Saskatchewan is currently represented on over 30 external committees. Since 1989 it has worked with the Canadian Wildlife Services to manage the Last Mountain Bird Observatory for education and research purposes.
Other externally funded programs include voluntary landowner stewardship programs such as the Rare Plant Rescue program, Shrubs for Shrikes, and Operation Burrowing Owl. All of these help landowners to identify and manage critical habitat for endangered species. The Piping Plover Guardian program focuses on this species in decline and ways to enhance the extensive beaches of Lake Diefenbaker, one of its major breeding areas.
Other aspects of its work include working to identify and preserve internationally recognized Important Bird Areas and delivering specific education programs. Its extensive resource centre provides books and videos for teachers. The Nature Quest program provides professional naturalists to work with schools that have strong outdoor education or biology programs.
Nature Saskatchewan also believes in bringing its members together for fun and education. To that end, it organizes spring and fall meets, which allow fellow naturalists from across Saskatchewan to gather in unique locations of interest around the province.
External recognition has included a 1985 National Heritage Award from Parks Canada in recognition of 25 years of "exceptional work and effort that contributed greatly to the establishment of Grasslands National Park;" the Nature Canada Annual Affiliate Award in 1990; and the Countryside Canada National Stewardship Recognition Award in 2002 for its burrowing owl program.
For more information visit the Nature Saskatchewan website.