The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) in Saskatchewan and Lone Tree community pasture shareholders have signed a pilot partnership agreement to work together to develop a guide for future management and long term conservation of community pastures.
After more than 75 years of conservation management by Canada’s federal community pasture system, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is transferring these pastures to Saskatchewan.
Under this agreement, NCC staff in Saskatchewan will work with Lone Tree’s community pasture manager and shareholders to develop best practices for pasture management and long term land conservation.
In efforts to balance livestock production with long term conservation, it is hoped this partnership will help foster rapport with other community pasture shareholders and NCC staff.
NCC will include the advice and best practices of Lone Tree’s management of the 33,697 acres (13,637 ha) of community pasture along with NCC conservation practices and techniques, and financially assist with the management of the pasture during 2015. This work may also help NCC guide the future conservation of other southern Saskatchewan community pastures and grasslands.
Best practices for pasture management will build on the knowledge that Lone Tree pasture managers and shareholders have gained over many years.
Conservation actions and techniques that help sustain the diversity of plant, animal, bird and amphibian species, as well as the economic wellbeing of livestock producers and pasture management groups alike, will be included.
The guide will help others conserve and sustain pasture grasslands similar to the Lone Tree pasture.
A management plan will be developed through face-to-face meetings with NCC staff, the Lone Tree pasture manager, and the Lone Tree shareholders prior to the 2015 grazing season.
These best practices will be recorded, reviewed, revised and developed into a guide that can be shared with community pastures from Mankota to Midale, Valjean to Nokomis, McCraney to Good Spirit, and beyond.
