Released on June 17, 2013
Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart and Environment Minister Ken Cheveldayoff have jointly proclaimed June 16-22, Saskatchewan's 15th Annual Native Prairie Appreciation Week.
Native Prairie Appreciation Week is supported by the Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan (SK PCAP) and seeks to bring awareness and appreciation to one of Saskatchewan’s greatest natural resources – the native prairie.
“Saskatchewan’s farm and ranch families depend on the native prairie to support their livelihoods and have historically proven themselves to be the best stewards of the land,” Stewart said. “Native Prairie Appreciation Week is as much about bringing awareness to the significance of Saskatchewan’s grasslands as it is about recognizing and celebrating the conservation efforts of our producers.”
“Saskatchewan is distinct in its endowment of native grasslands and we recognize and value them as an important part of our natural capital,” Cheveldayoff said. “We recognize the national and international conservation importance of Saskatchewan’s native grasslands as well as the numerous benefits these areas confer to ranchers, recreational users and the broader public.”
“Native Prairie Appreciation Week helps inform urban and rural residents, ranchers and farmers, and students and families about the numerous benefits native prairie provides to everyone,” SK PCAP Chair and rancher from Ponteix Orin Balas said. “The event demonstrates how we can all work together, by sharing ideas and experiences, to preserve this vibrant piece of Saskatchewan’s ecosystem.”
This year’s theme for Native Prairie Appreciation Week is "Rediscover your Roots in the Prairies!" and planning for celebratory activities is underway. These events will be coupled with the Society for Range Management Tour which has joined forces with the Saskatchewan Pasture School for 2013.
For more information about the event, please visit PCAP's website at www.pcap-sk.org or contact the PCAP office at 306-352-0472 or pcap@sasktel.net.
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For more information, contact:
Jonathan Tremblay
Agriculture
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5155
Email: jonathan.tremblay@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-529-4199
Kathryn Newton
Environment
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0412
Email: kathryn.newton2@gov.sk.ca