Released on May 15, 2008
The public is advised that the Ministry of Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport is planning a prescribed burn on the native fescue prairie grasslands in Greenwater Lake Provincial Park today. The fescue grassland burn will be situated in the north central portion of the park approximately 5 km west of highway 38.
"Historically, fire has played an integral part in maintaining prairie ecosystem health and biodiversity in the northern great plains of North America," Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Christine Tell said. "The burn will be approximately eight hectares in size and is part of a long-term strategy aimed at improving the overall health of grasslands in our provincial park system."
These burns prevent the invasion of trembling aspen and white spruce into the fescue grasslands and promote the re-establishment of native grasses and flowers in the area. The area to be burned in 2008 was previously burned in 1998 as part of this long-term strategy.
The public is invited to contact the Greenwater Lake Provincial Park Office to discuss the use of fire as a management tool or any other park matter they wish by calling 306-278-3515 or emailing greenwaterlakeprovincialpark@gov.sk.ca.
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For more information, contact:
Janet Peters
Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4967
Email: janet.peters@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-533-4909