Protected park for province

Saskatchewan has designated a new protected area nearly two-thirds the size of Prince Edward Island.

The Pink Lake Representative Area Ecological Reserve, located 160 kilometres north of La Ronge, is now Saskatchewan's largest provincially-designated protected area of approximately 3,660 square kilometres. Compared to all other protected lands in the province, only Prince Albert National Park is larger at 3,874 square kilometres.

"The Pink Lake area covers a vast area of boreal forest which provides important habitat for many species including woodland caribou," Environment Minister Ken Cheveldayoff said. "The designation will help conserve this ecologically important area, while adding significantly to Saskatchewan's Representative Areas Network."

The Pink Lake Representative Area Ecological Reserve was proposed as part of the Misinipiy Integrated Land Use Plan, developed in partnership with the Lac La Ronge Indian Band with extensive public and stakeholder involvement. The land use plan was approved in May 2012.