Partners and members of PCAP gathered Thursday at the university to celebrate the renewal from 2019-2023. (Photos: Moises Canales/620 CKRM)
A plan to continue native prairie conservation in Saskatchewan was the topic late Thursday morning at the University of Regina’s Research and Innovation Centre.
Members from Saskatchewan Prairie Conversation Action Plan’s (PCAP) held a gathering to announce the renewal of the framework for the next five years, starting this year and running until 2023.
This is the fifth consecutive five-year agreement signed by the plans partners, featuring organizations and agencies representing producers, provincial and federal governments, and many others. The commitment has been in place for the last 21 years and counting.
“I think it’s important for the partners that they’ve committed to the goals we’ve set out for the next five years. It shows all their dedication to commit time and effort to our past programming, and also looking at the future and what we can accomplish,” said Chair of Saskatchewan PCAP Orin Balas. “They’ll have input on what happens with native prairie.”
Balas was joined by the manager of Saskatchewan PCAP Carolyn Gaudet for the presentation. Among those on hand for the event was Minister of Environment Dustin Duncan who gave a brief speech and congratulated the partners on solidifying another five years of conservation and sustainability in the province.
The renewal was coincidentally announced during Native Prairie Appreciation Week which is recognized June 16-22. Balas mentioned why it was important to have the ceremony during this week.
“Why wouldn’t we unveil our next five-year plan as part of that week to showcase our plan going forward,” said Balas. “I think it symbolizes why we have Native Prairie Appreciation Week. It was initiated by the partners years ago and endorsed by the ministries.”
PCAP is a guide to bring conservation and management efforts within Saskatchewan’s Prairie Ecozone. According to the agreement, the partnership focuses on:
- Developing and fostering common vision and goals, identify priority issues and develop and implement actions to address conservation and sustainable management of native prairie;
- Identify and fill gaps in native prairie research and activities among the partners;
- Improve public understanding and valuing of native prairie through initiatives such as the Native Prairie Appreciation Week; and
- Share ideas and find common ground where possible while respecting differing ideas.
Twitter: @MoisesCanalesJr
