Ralph Stueck
(1893-1979)
A farmer, naturalist and photographer, Ralph Stueck was regarded as the Jack Miner of the Prairies. In fact, it was meeting Jack Miner that inspired Stueck to establish a wildlife sanctuary on his own farm.
In 1936, Stueck introduced three Canada Geese to his farm dugout to launch this venture. When he moved into the village of Abernethy in 1947, he deepened a slough there and called this sanctuary "Sleepy Hollow." In addition, he started a natural history museum containing animals and birds he had mounted.
Stueck was responsible for the introduction of Canada Geese to Regina's Waterfowl Park. On 7 April 1953, he gave a pair of Canada Geese, named Hiawatha and Queenie, to Fred Bard. The pair hatched young in Bard's sanctuary and other Canada Geese joined them in the summer and fall, forming the nucleus of the Wascana flock.
Stueck captured animals such as prairie dogs, antelope, buffalo, lemmings, Sandhill Cranes, and pelicans for zoos and exhibitions. But his main focus was on championing the protection of the natural environment. He travelled extensively, showing films of animals in their natural habitat, teaching about their adaptations, and suggesting conservation practices to be followed. Some of the films were shot by Stueck at his sanctuary and still exist in Saskatchewan archives.
In 1942, he took a wounded Whooping Crane from Regina to the Aransas Refuge in Texas as a conservation effort. In 1947, he took a contingent of wild animals to the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto on behalf of the Saskatchewan government to promote awareness of wildlife. He was president of the Saskatchewan Natural History Society from 1953-54 and received their conservation award. He was also awarded the Julian Crandal Conservation Award from the Canadian Tourist Association at Halifax in 1961.
In 1964, the Saskatchewan Government named Stueck Island in Lac La Ronge in his honor. In 1978, a film about "Uncle Ralph" was made for Saskatchewan School Broadcasts.
Ralph Stueck died Oct 10, 1979. In 1990, his collection of artifacts was moved to the Nature Heritage Museum, a new building on in Abernethy, and opened to tourists. Ralph's legacy continues to enthrall young people and the general public.
Submitted by Joy McKen
Ralph Steuk talking to one of his Canada Geese at Sleepy Hollow Sanctuary, Abernethy, SK.
The Nature-Heritage Museum in Abernathy is dedicated to Ralph Stueck.