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Saskatchewan ’ s Wetlands Conundrum
Suitably dubbed the Land of Living Skies , Saskatchewan is renowned for its world-class waterfowl hunting . In the heart of the central flyway , mindblowing numbers of migratory birds – from gadwalls , mallards , and pintails , to Canada , speckle belly , snow geese , and more - pass over , stop in , and indeed nest in various wetlands throughout the province . Ducks Unlimited Canada ( DUC ) reports that there are as many as 60 breeding waterfowl pairs per square mile in areas like the Allan Dana Hills , southeast of Saskatoon . Nearly 70 percent of North America ’ s waterfowl traditionally migrate through the province , due to its rich Prairie Pothole habitat . Particularly welcoming for waterfowl , this region has forever been an oasis for ducks , geese and other non-game species like the rare whooping crane . Sound like a waterfowl wonderland ? Absolutely . But over time , that could change . Unfortunately , trouble is brewing in paradise .
Urban populations are expanding and so is agriculture . In turn , Saskatchewan ’ s wildlife – and not just waterfowl - is in jeopardy . Farming is a way of life in the prairie provinces . Generations have made their living off the land , taking their crops to market , and feeding the masses . It is a necessary and integral part of who we are as Canadians . Unfortunately , many producers view wetlands as an inconvenience and , with ever-increasing input costs , many are driven to maximize productivity . To make the most of their land , too many are draining critical wetlands and clear-cutting woodlots – both of which otherwise provide vital habitat for waterfowl , ungulates , and other wildlife species .
As the province ’ s wetlands are drained to transform functional habitat into economically productive land , wildlife is disappearing . In some regions , as much as 90 per cent of wetland habitat is gone . Even where wetland mitigation is implemented , by Kevin Wilson
Early spring run-off - just the start of immense flooding caused , in part , by wetlands drainage in the Quill Lakes region of Saskatchewan .
these strategies inadequately compensate for the loss . Furthermore , most of Saskatchewan ’ s municipalities do not yet have sound wetland policies in place to ensure sustainable growth .
Even though it is illegal to drain water from the land without a permit , unauthorized drainage continues to occur in most areas without penalty . Equally disconcerting , landowners who are suffering from increased water downstream – often flooding - receive no compensation .
“ Herein lies a monumental dilemma in areas like the Quill Lakes region . Due to immense wetland and other habitat loss , run-off into this drainage creates an unimaginable amount of flooding , which in turn has a domino-like affect on the surrounding landscape and ultimately downstream within that watershed ,” says Michael Champion , Head of Industry and Government Relations for DUC in SK . He adds , “ the Quill Lakes highlight the complexity with water management and the need to strike a balance between development and conservation . Upstream water storage is the most economical man made solution we have seen to date .”
The Quill Lakes are saline , which means fish can ’ t live there . As the overflow drains downstream , interconnected creeks and lakes in the watershed are adversely affected . This domino effect begins with
Draining wetlands not only eliminates critical habitat , but it creates cumulative negative effects downstream within watersheds . ~ photo courtesy of Ducks Unlimited Canada
39 Wild Guide . Summer 2017
producers draining wetlands and the cumulative effect is catastrophic .
In a day and age where wildlife and wild spaces are constantly at risk , outdoorsmen and women face the daunting task of working feverishly to counter the negative effects of what we typically call progress . Aside from hunters and anglers , the general public is mostly unaware of these and many other detrimental effects caused by our progressive practices . Saskatchewan ’ s epidemic loss of wetland and surrounding habitat is one of the most pronounced environmental fiascoes occurring on the prairies today – and it is especially pronounced in the Quill Lakes and interconnected watersheds .
Thankfully , it ’ s not all bad news – and you can help solve the problem . Ducks Unlimited Canada , for instance , is working hard to conserve wetlands , restore many that have been drained or damaged , and responsibly manage the projects that they are undergoing . Today more than 2,900 Saskatchewan DUC projects provide habitat for wildlife , and recreation areas for people , especially in the Prairie Pothole Region . They have secured 1.8 million acres and positively influenced 5.4 million acres of Saskatchewan land and water across the province .
Plain and simple , DUC works to secure land and water that waterfowl and other wildlife require to survive . Their programs restore drained wetland basins and seed nesting cover for waterfowl and other wildlife . Once they have secured land or restored wetlands , they manage it through maintenance , tendering of hay and cooperative relationships with longterm partners to steward the habitat . To learn more , go to www . ducks . ca or call 1-800-665-DUCK ( 3825 ).