Native Prairie Appreciation Week celebrated across Sask.

The Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan (SK PCAP) is pleased to celebrate the 20th Native Prairie Appreciation Week (NPAW) across the province of Saskatchewan from June 17 to 23. Saskatchewan is the only place in North America to officially proclaim an annual week long celebration of native prairie to raise awareness about grasslands and prairie species at risk conservation.

Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Environment continue to collaborate to officially proclaim this special week in the province. SK PCAP also works with urban municipalities across the province to proclaim NPAW in their respective cities. This year the Cities of Regina, Saskatoon, Moose Jaw, and Swift Current are also participating on a local level.

“We are extremely proud that Native Prairie Appreciation Week has been a fixture in our province for the past twenty years,” said Orin Balas, rancher and chair of SK PCAP. “NPAW remains a valuable opportunity for conservationists to connect people from all types of backgrounds to Saskatchewan’s prairie grasslands and species at risk,” he added. “Saskatchewan’s prairie grasslands provide numerous ecosystem services including forage, habitat, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity,” Balas said.

The week’s celebration focuses on creating awareness of what native prairie grassland is as well as educating the public and stakeholders on the benefits of conserving this valuable resource which continues to dwindle. SK PCAP will host a photo contest, provide a booths at farmers’ markets in Swift Current, Regina, and Weyburn, participate in the National Aboriginal Day celebration in Regina on June 21, and announce winners from the youth poster contest. The week will conclude with the annual Society for Range Management Tour taking place June 21 and 22, near Beechy. People interested in how to celebrate NPAW can visit here where you can find a prairie exploration checklist, information on current events, and more about the history of NPAW celebrations.

Since 1998, the Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan Partnership has brought together native prairie stakeholder groups, including organizations representing producers, industry, provincial & federal governments, non-government organizations and research and educational institutions under a common vision for prairie conservation in Saskatchewan. There are currently twenty-nine partners who participate in SK PCAP.

Jacquie Bolton assisted Mayor Denis Perrault in proclaiming the week of June 17 to 23 as Native Prairie Appreciation Week in the City of Swift Current.