Partnerships
Partnerships
Farm Calls
Our staff can personally visit your operation to help you to achieve your land and water management goals. We can assist you with understanding what Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs) are, which BMPs could benefit you, and how to apply them. We can also provide information on various programs that are offered throughout the province and how land managers can get involved. These programs provide various services; from information resources to funding that will assist land managers with applying BMPs.
Help With Accessing Funding
Various programs are offered throughout the province to assist land managers with applying Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs) on their operations. Our services include helping land managers identify potential funding sources, and assisting land managers with completing the application process required to receive that funding.
Grazing Management Planning
We can provide land managers with resources to aid them with grazing management planning. Resources that are available include air photos, stocking tables, range/riparian assessments, and soil maps to help land managers with drawing up pasture plans.
Field Days
Field days are organized to provide land managers with hands-on training in range or riparian assessments and/or the opportunity to view how other land managers in the region have applied Beneficial Management Practices.
Assisting Watershed Groups
Partnerships and Plan Implementation staff provide technical assistance and support to watershed groups that are implementing Source Water Protection Plans. These services can include helping with projects and events, supporting Technical Advisory Committees, assisting with efforts to contact land managers, providing direction regarding Beneficial Management Practices, and contributing technical writing for funding applications.
North American Waterfowl Management Plan
The North American Waterfowl Management Plan is an agreement among Canada, the United States, and Mexico to restore waterfowl populations and improve habitat for other wetland dependant wildlife. In the last 17 years partners have contributed $827 million to secure and enhance 4.4 million acres (1.8 million hectares) of waterfowl habitat in Canada.
Goals
The goals of this international joint venture are to:
- encourage sustainable land use practices on private and public land
- improve habitat through provision of upland nesting cover and retention of small wetland complexes
- identify, protect and manage wetlands important for all migratory birds
Other partners:
Twelve Habitat Joint Ventures have been established across Canada to help facilitate activities in key waterfowl habitat areas. Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Manitoba belong to the Prairie Habitat Joint Venture.
The Water Security Agency coordinates North American Waterfowl Plan activities and delivers the Prairie Shores Program in Saskatchewan. Other programs are delivered by Ducks Unlimited Canada (Large Wetlands and Nest Structures programs), the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment (Waterfowl Crop Damage Prevention Program), and the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (Crop Damage Compensation Program).
Voluntary Stewardship Agreement
Landowners who wish to conserve a parcel of native prairie and/or a riparian area, may decide to enter into a voluntary stewardship agreement. Under such an agreement, landowners volunteer to:
- Maintain and protect their native prairie and/or riparian areas to the best of their ability
While many landowners already practice good land stewardship, this agreement emphasizes the commitment of landowners to continue good management in the future. - Notify us of any planned land use change that might impact the native prairie and/or riparian areas
By contacting us before changing land management practices, landowners can access information on how to minimize any negative impacts on the site. - Notify us of any intent to sell or transfer ownership of the areas under the agreement
This will allow us to contact the new owner to offer information on the value of the natural habitat and discuss the stewardship program.
The contribution of each voluntary steward to the conservation of prairie and/or riparian areas, will be formally recognized with a sign and certificate of appreciation. Also, the
Watershed Planning Branch can offer expertise and provide information in the areas of land management and biological data.
If desired, landowners can be put in touch with our partner organizations, including Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada – Agri-Environmental Services Branch, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, Ducks Unlimited Canada, the Archaeology Society of Saskatchewan, Nature Saskatchewan, the Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan, and the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation.
In simple terms, stewardship means taking good care of the land. In becoming voluntary stewards, landowners demonstrate their commitment to the long-term conservation of Saskatchewan’s prairie heritage.
For more information contact a Water Security Agency regional office near you.
A Collaborative Team
We know that water management can be complicated, so we’re here to help! The WSA team is available to answer questions, find information, and help you accurately prepare permit applications to make the review and approval process smoother. Use the contact form or give us a call to get started.