Naturalists from across Saskatchewan (and a few from Manitoba) gathered in Saltcoats as they participated in the annual Spring Meet of Nature Saskatchewan June 3, 4 and 5. Attendees checked out a joint display provided by local artisan Morley Maier and local artist Joan Wilson. These two YFBTA members creatively combined Joan's original bird paintings with Morley's (locally famous) bird houses to create a visual treat.
During the afternoon a video produced by Kenton Vaughan was available for viewing. The video entitled "The Return of the Prairie Bandit" documents the re-introduction of the once-extirpated species, the Black-footed Ferret, to Saskatchewan's Grassland National Park.
At an evening reception in The Saltcoats and District Hall YFBTA president, Lauretta Ritchie-McInnes welcomed the sixty-nine registrants. Gary Seib, General Manager, indicated that two books have been published by Nature Saskatchewan and that copies would be available for viewing and purchase ( "Ferns and Fern Allies" by Vernon Harms and Anna Leighton; "Dragonflies and Damselflies" by Gordon Hutchings and David Halstead; " A third book, this one produced by award winning Saskatchewan authors Robin and Arlene Karpan, entitled "Saskatchewan's Best Hikes & Nature Walks" was also available. The Karpans chose to include as one of its charter trails, The Leflay Trail (Saltcoats) and four of its affiliate trails, The Ecological Preserve Trail, The Hjertaas Nature Trail, The Isabel Priestly Nature Trail (Yorkton) and The Good Spirit Lake Provincial Park Trail (Canora) in their book. Anna Leighton, one of the authors of "Ferns and Fern Allies" was also in attendance so registrants enjoyed a great opportunity to meet some of these authors, to purchase some of the first copies and to obtain autographed copies.
The following day registrants could participate in three different tours. One group, led by YFBTA members Ron and Gerri Knudsen, were guided by Arden and Donna Bradford of Saltcoats. A second group, led by Melanni Elliott (Saskatoon), was guided by Chuck Deschamps of Ducks Unlimited, Canada (Wadena). This group visited The Rokeby Marsh area, the farm of Morley and Paula Maier and an area near Little Leach Lake. The third group led by YFBTA member Joan Wilson and her daughter, YFBTA Summer Program employee, Shevon Wilson (Saltcoats) and guided by Ken Mushanski (Yorkton) toured the Isabel Priestly Trail along York Lake.
The tours all stopped at Yorkton's Western Development Museum for their lunch.
Following lunch the registrants again headed out in three directions. One group proceeded to Yorkton's Harris Conservation Project and The Richardson Sustainable Land Use Centre. This group was guided by Ducks Unlimited Canada's summer student, Kyle Hardy (Strasbourg) working out of the Yorkton office. A second group proceeded east of Yorkton to the Barvas Marsh and Eftoda properties, areas in which Ducks Unlimited operate. The group was led by Melanie Elliott and guided by Chuck Deschamps.
The third group led by Joan and Shevon Wilson and guided by Geof Rushowick, president of The Yorkton Natural History Society explored Yorkton's Ravine Ecological Preserve and the Warren Hjertaas Nature Trail.
One additional tour of Saltcoats Leflay Trail occurred Sunday morning. Highlight of this tour was a sighting (and great photographic opportunity) of a Black-crowned Night Heron and the nest of a Yellow Warbler.
By the conclusion of the meet over 60 bird species had been located.
During an evening program Nature Saskatchewan announced acceptance of a new affiliate naturalist group. This group works on behalf of nature in the Neudorf area and will be known as The Neudorf Nature Trails and Wild Bird Sanctuary Society. Guest speaker of the evening was Chuck Deschamps. Chuck emphasized the need for regional land use long-range planning to be undertaken among all stakeholders. The number of wetlands and the wildlife habitats they contain continue to decline and nowhere more rapidly than in our region. Prior to concluding the evening, retiring Nature Saskatchewan employee Margaret Skeel was honoured. To mark the importance of the work Margaret has done over fourteen years an annual scholarship fund has been re-named as The Margaret Skeel Scholarship fund.
YFBTA acknowledges with gratitude all those who contributed to the three day gathering.
