Why we measure this
Land stewardship involves managing soil, air, water and biodiversity resources wisely and in a way that keeps land healthy and productive, now and into the future. Many landowners already practice good land stewardship. Several private conservation organizations and government programs support private stewardship actions through voluntary incentive-based programs. A number of private conservation agencies also contribute directly by buying, restoring and managing land for conservation purposes.
To maintain a sustainable and healthy environment, the Government of Saskatchewan needs help from conservation organizations and private land managers. These conservation stewards play an important role in maintaining and conserving natural areas. Good stewardship is key to conserving our natural assets and the values they provide to Saskatchewan people.
What is happening
Private land stewardship in the State of the Environment is reported as the area of private and Crown land enrolled in specific programs delivered by Prairie Habitat Joint Venture partner agencies in Saskatchewan. This expands on the 2017 indicator, which was based on the number of participants enrolled in a subset of programs managed by the Water Security Agency, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and Ducks Unlimited Canada.
What are we doing
Under its Growth Plan, Saskatchewan will work with private land stewards to achieve targets identified in its Climate Resilience Measurement Framework for preserving natural lands, enhancing soil organic matter, promoting nutrient stewardship and achieving economic resilience and crop diversification. Additionally, the province will strive to align regulations, policies and programming to support and reward producers who provide habitat by maintaining natural areas.
We will also continue to support private land stewardship through programs such as the Fish and Wildlife Development Fund, the Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change component of the Federal-Provincial Canadian Agricultural Partnership, the Agricultural Water Management Strategy and through lease arrangements with private agricultural Crown land lessees and pasture patrons.
Saskatchewan is also a key partner in the Prairie Habitat Joint Venture, a multi-agency conservation partnership under the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP) arrangement between Canada, the United States and Mexico. Through their participation, Saskatchewan and other prairie provinces support implementation planning and enable funding support for important private land stewardship programs through NAWMP.