A C T I O N P L A N 2006 - 2010[ ]

alberta prairie conservation

Printed in Canada on Recycled Paper

This report may be viewed on the Internet at: http://www.AlbertaPCF.ab.ca/

• Members of the Prairie Conservation Forum for the photos used in this plan

• Agriculture Canada-PFRA, Alberta Community Development-Parks and Protected Areas, Alberta Sustainable Resource Development-Rangeland Management, and Environment Canada-Canadian Wildlife Service for providing financial support to design and print this document

• The PCAP team: Cliff Wallis, Sam Wirzba, Tom Livingston, Linda Cerney and Louella Cronkhite

This report may be cited as:Prairie Conservation Forum. March 2006. Alberta Prairie Conservation Action Plan: 2006-2010. Published by the Prairie Conservation Forum, Lethbridge, Alberta. 28 pages.

Copies of this report may be obtained from:Prairie Conservation Forumc/o Alberta EnvironmentSouthern Region200 – 5th Avenue SouthLETHBRIDGE, AlbertaT1J 4L1

This report may be viewed on the Internet at:http://www.AlbertaPCF.ab.ca/

ISBN No. 0-7785-4570-9 (printed)ISBN No. 0-7785-4571-7 (on-line)Pub No. 1/004

This publication has been printed in Canada on recycled paper.

The Prairie Conservation Forum wishes to thank:

The disappearance of a major natural unit of vegetation from the face of the earthis an event worthy of causing pause and consideration by any nation. Yet so gradu-ally have the grasslands been conquered by the breaking plow, the tractor, and theovercrowded herds of man, and so intent has he been upon securing from the soil itslast measure of innate fertility, that scant attention has been given to the significanceof this endless grassland or the course of its destruction. Civilized man is destroying amasterpiece of nature without recording for posterity that which he has destroyed.

Before the western grasslands disappear as graduallyand completely as have those of the east, let us followthe judicious plan of the conservationists in the greatprairie state of Iowa and preserve some representativetracts forever for ourselves and for posterity.

Nature is an open book for those who care to read. Each grass-covered hillside is apage on which is written the history of the past, conditions of the present, and predictions of the future. Some see without understanding; but let us look closelyand understandingly, and act wisely, and in time bring our methods of land use andconservation activities into close harmony with the dictates of nature.

The grassland itself is an intricately constructed community. The climax prairie vegetation is the outcome of thousands of years of sorting of species and adaptationsto soil and climate. Grassland soils through untold centuries have been thoroughlyprotected by the unbroken mantle of prairie vegetation. The vegetation, animals andsoil are closely related, intimately mixed, and highly interdependent upon each otherand upon the climate. Hence grassland is much more than land covered with grass. It is a slowly evolved, highly complex organic entity, centuries old. It approaches theeternal. Once destroyed, it can never be replaced by man.

- From J.E. Weaver, North American Prairie, Johnsen Publishing, Lincoln, NE 1954

“

Nature is an openbook for those

who care to read.

“

1 Ministers’ Foreword

2 Preface

4 Prairie Conservation in Alberta

6 Vision, Principles and Goals

6 - 10 Strategic Issues

12 - 13 Goal 1 Research

14 - 16 Goal 2 Stewardship

17 - 19 Goal 3 Education

20 - 23 Glossary

24 - 25 Prairie Conservation Forum

26 - 27 References

Contents

Figures:3 Map 1: North American

Great Plains

11 Map 2: 2005 Natural Regions and Subregions of Alberta

14 Map 3: Native Vegetation Cover Remaining in the Grassland and Parkland Natural Regions

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Minister’s Foreword

Settlement, urbanization and industrialization of the prairiesand parkland have had a significant impact, resulting in the lossof vital prairie habitat. Without proper management, our valu-able remaining prairie and parkland habitat is at risk of increas-ing fragmentation and degradation. Conserving the legacy wehave inherited for both ourselves and for future generations isa worthy goal and the collective responsibility of everyone liv-ing or working in prairie Alberta.

The Prairie Conservation Forum is an example of what canbe done when Albertans from a variety of sectors - non-govern-ment organizations, provincial and federal departments andindustry – work together to conserve the prairie and parklandlegacy we have inherited. Members cooperate as partners toensure that the biodiversity of Alberta’s prairie and parkland isunderstood and preserved.

In like manner, Alberta Environment has committed to workcollaboratively with citizens, business, communities and gov-ernments in practicing and sharing responsibility for resource

and environmental stewardship. Adopting place-basedapproaches will ensure the environment, the economy andcommunities are treated as a whole in a way that establishesclear goals and addresses cumulative effects. There will becontinuous improvement through monitoring, review, and mak-ing changes to improve on an on-going basis.

As the Minister of Environment committed to sustainableresource and environmental management, I am pleased tointroduce the Alberta Prairie Conservation Action Plan (PCAP)for 2006-2010. This key document provides the vision, goals,objectives and action recommendations for conservingAlberta’s native prairie and parkland ecosystems over the nextfew years.

To the forty plus members of the Prairie ConservationForum, thank you on behalf of the Alberta government for yourcommitment and dedication. Alberta’s landscapes will continueto benefit from your work!

Hon. Guy BoutilierMinister of Environment

Prairie and parkland ecosystems are an enduring image in the psyche ofAlbertans. Their bountiful resources and biodiversity have provided a richcontext for the unfolding of southern Alberta history, with their variety ofplants and animals, their recreational opportunities, their ability to supportvarious livelihoods and their sheer beauty.

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I am honoured to present this fourth generation PrairieConservation Action Plan (PCAP) to Albertans. Our previousplan (PCAP: 2001-2005) has been revised and updated toprovide a new, practical, five-year strategy that addressesboth existing and new prairie conservation challenges. The new PCAP: 2006-2010 is a product of the PrairieConservation Forum (PCF) and was developed in a coopera-tive manner by its nearly four-dozen member organizations.

The North American Great Plains extend fromMexico northward for approximately 1500 km, crossing theUnited States, and include the southern and central por-tions of Canada’s prairie provinces. Alberta’s native grass-lands are predominantly comprised of the GrasslandNatural Region and the Parkland Natural Region. Together,these two Natural Regions contain approximately 11 millionacres of native prairie. A significant portion of both NaturalRegions has been modified by human activity and variousland-use practices during the past two centuries.

Since 1988, Alberta’s prairie conservation actionplans have provided direction for maintaining and enhanc-ing our provincial grassland and parkland ecosystems. In ourprevious 5-year plan, the PCF was able to make importantprogress toward bringing a greater awareness to the valueof native prairie by advancing the establishment of aProvincial Grass. As a result of work done by the PCF – led byCheryl Bradley and provincial MLA Don Tannis – Albertaadopted rough fescue as a new provincial emblem. Membersof the PCF have strongly influenced operational guidelinesthat pertain to reclamation and minimum disturbanceapproaches for industrial development on native grasslands.As well, the use of environmental easements and protectivenotations – to protect the habitats of species at risk andmaintain biodiversity – has been advanced significantly.

As we look ahead to the coming five-year period2006-2010 and beyond, we anticipate that increasing pres-sure will be placed on our provincial grasslands. Alberta’seconomy and population are growing rapidly, spurredalong by a strong demand for energy and other naturalresources and various goods and services. Conventional oil

and gas development is occurring at record levels. Thepressing demand for energy is causing both industry andgovernments to more seriously consider wind power andcoal bed methane as alternative energy sources. Alberta’snatural landscapes also need to accommodate a growingdemand for wide-ranging recreational opportunities.

While the agricultural sector has been under con-siderable pressure during the past several years, the ranch-

ing industry continues to rely heavily on nativerangelands. The demand for additional farm-land and the intensified use of existing farm-land continues, driven in part by irrigationexpansion projects and growing markets forspecialty crops. As well, the seemingly relent-

less conversion of farmland to accommodate new housingsub-divisions and acreages (many of which are in close prox-imity to major urban centers, especially Calgary andEdmonton) has the effect of shrinking our productive agri-cultural land base.

In response to increasing social awareness of landuse change, new concepts are being discussed in relation toland development. One of the interesting concepts that hasrecently emerged in Alberta is that of “natural capital”.While recognizing that economic growth, a strong economyand low unemployment rates are favoured by mostAlbertans, other important considerations, such as naturalcapital, are gaining increasing attention. Future land devel-opment must explicitly recognize and consider our valuednatural assets. Natural capital refers to, among other things,habitats needed by fish and wildlife species, functioningriparian systems that allow us to maintain water quality,and working landscapes that are rich in biodiversity, andwhich afford quality recreational and leisure time experi-ences. We must learn to better manage our natural capitalto balance the social, economic and environmental priori-ties of Albertans.

I invite Albertans from all walks of life to join withthe Prairie Conservation Forum in fulfilling the action rec-ommendations presented in this new prairie conservationaction plan. The intentional contributions of individuals,industry, interest groups and communities really do make adifference. Working together we can sustain and enhanceour prairie heritage.

Brian Laing2005 - 2006 ChairpersonPrairie Conservation Forum

‘06 ‘07 ‘08 ‘09 ‘10

Preface

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Figure 1:North AmericaGreat Plains

Map courtesy of Canadian Plains Research Centre, University of Regina

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1 Throughout this document the word ‘prairie’ refers to both prairie (dry mixed-grass, mixed-grass, northern fescue, and foothills fescue) and parkland (central parkland, foothills parkland) natural regions within Alberta.

The first Prairie Conservation ActionPlan (PCAP) was released by WorldWildlife Fund Canada and the gov-ernments of Manitoba, Saskatchewanand Alberta late in 1988. It was afive-year blueprint, concluding in1994, aimed at prairie-wide efforts toconserve and manage native prairiespecies, communities, and habitats.

Following the conclusion of the first prairie-wide PCAP, provincialPCAPs were developed in Alberta,Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The Prairie Conservation Forum(originally the Prairie ConservationCoordinating Committee), whichwas announced in 1988 by theGovernment of Alberta in responseto the original PCAP, is currentlycomprised of some fifty member

organizations. These organizationsrepresent all three levels of govern-ment, non-government organiza-tions, industry, academia, and agri-cultural and environmental interestgroups. The Forum exists to promotethe Alberta PCAP and to provide anongoing profile for prairie and park-land conservation initiatives. Thefirst meeting of the PCF took place inNovember 1989; at the conclusion of the first PCAP, the Alberta PCAP1996 – 2000 and Alberta PCAP 2001 -2005 were drafted by the PrairieConservation Forum (PCF).

The first made-in-Alberta PCAP,1996-2000, was the product of aprocess involving an assessment ofaccomplishments during the period1989-94, a multi-party workshop,

"The Milk River-Sage Creek area is hard to describe in

anything less than superlatives. Its uplands, wetlands and

valleys comprise one of the largest undisturbed grasslands

in Canada. For generations this wilderness has been

protected by its isolation and by grazing patterns that have

perpetuated the richness and diversity of the native

grassland. Today those factors are changing and the future

of the area as a wild place and as a refuge for native plants

and animals that have long disappeared from much of the

Great Plains rests in our hands."

-Cliff Wallis

Prairie Conservation in Alberta

In North America, only Texas andNorth Dakota retain a larger nativeprairie land base than Alberta(Map 1). Extensive tracts of publicand private rangelands in east cen-tral Alberta and the PalliserTriangle are home to a largelyintact native mixed grass prairieecosystem on which the ranchingcommunity depends. Ranching pro-vides a unique livelihood andlifestyle, makes a significant contri-bution to the provincial economy,and can be compatible with pre-serving native prairie over time.

Prairie landscapes have significantheritage value and provide ecolog-ical, cultural, and economic bene-fits for all Albertans. Maintainingnative prairie rangelands underlongterm stewardship is critical tothe success of prairie conservationefforts in Alberta. It will demand anenlightened understanding of eco-logical and economic relationshipsand an ability to resist short-termpressures to fragment and intensifyland use.

Developing a Prairie Conservation Strategy

Alberta’s Native Prairie1 Landscape

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and a public review. The AlbertaPCAP broadened the base of supportfor prairie conservation. It acknowl-edged community empowerment,the emergence of ecosystem man-agement, information technology,the importance of micro-fauna, andchanges in the role of government.The 1996-2000, 2001-2005 and 2006-2010 Alberta PCAPs remain true tothe enduring characteristics of thePCAP produced by the World WildlifeFund and the inputs from our manypartner organizations and the inter-ested public. The focus remains onthe conservation of native species,communities and habitats; a commit-ment to a prairie-wide vision; andthe adoption of multi-party partner-ships, i.e., networking with other

conservation initiatives and employ-ing cooperative approaches wherev-er possible.

When the PCF met in Wainwright inDecember 2000, it was anticipatedthat a thorough assessment andmajor rewrite of the next AlbertaPCAP would be undertaken.However, the Prairie ConservationForum is of the continuing opinionthat the basic framework adopted inthe first Alberta PCAP (i.e., vision,principles, goals and many objec-tives) continues to remain relevant inthe new millennium. As a result, fun-damental revisions have not beenmade to the 2006-2010 plan.Revisions are largely tweaks to theplan, e.g. compacting the four maingoals into three; deleting action

statements that have been imple-mented or that received little sup-port or interest in previous plans;making minor modifications to somegoals and objectives; and includingseveral new action recommendationswhich represent logical ‘next steps’and current realities. The ‘StrategicIssues’ section of this plan containsnew material.

The Alberta PCAP is consistent withthe Government of Alberta’s naturalresources and environmental policiesas found in Alberta’s Commitment to Sustainable Resource andEnvironmental Management.

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Alberta PCF GoalsGoal 1: Research

Enhance the information base

for Alberta’s native prairie and

parkland landscapes.

Goal 2: Stewardship Conserve Alberta's native prairie

and parkland landscapes.

Goal 3: Education Increase awareness of the values

and importance of Alberta's native

prairie and parkland ecosystems.

The Alberta PCAP is a strategic planthat provides direction for conserv-ing native prairie and parkland land-scapes throughout Alberta. AllAlbertans who use and enjoy thesenatural landscapes are encouragedto put the plan’s provisions intoeffect. It is anticipated that individu-als, organizations or user groups (inaddition to PCF member organiza-tions) who support the directioncontained in this plan will undertakevarious implementation activities toachieve the plan’s goals and objec-tives. In the coming months thePrairie Conservation Forum willidentify specific actions that theForum will take to implement thisplan. Wherever possible, collabora-tive approaches and partnershipswill be adopted to conserve our native prairie and parklandlandscapes.

Vision, Principles and Goals

Prairie Provinces Visionfor Conserving Canada’sPrairie and ParklandEcosystemsCanadians need to ensure thatnative prairie, with its wild plantsand animals, survives in the westand is conserved for its intrinsic values, from which this and futuregenerations can benefit.

Alberta PrairieConservation Forum’sVision for Alberta’s Prairie and ParklandEcosystemsThe biological diversity of nativeprairie ecosystems in Alberta isbeing conserved for the benefit ofcurrent and future generations.

Guiding PrinciplesA conservation ethic will guide all activities and managementdecisions on the prairies.

All stakeholders will have theopportunity to be involved in theprocess of achieving the prairieconservation vision. Stakeholderswill work cooperatively and formpartnerships to achieve prairieconservation objectives.

Stakeholders will be empoweredat a local community level towork towards prairie conservationinitiatives, drawing on localknowledge and expertise.

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Promoting the conservation of bio-logical diversity in prairie and park-land ecosystems has been the raisond'être of PCAPs from the time thefirst prairie-wide PCAP was pub-lished in 1988. And if our societywants a high quality prairie andparkland environment it is a goalthat cannot be surrendered. Therewill not be healthy watersheds, highquality airsheds or sustainable landmanagement if there is impover-ished biodiversity. Biodiversity is thevariety of life in all its forms. It is thelifeblood of ecosystems. And it is

ecosystem functionality that pro-vides the suite of ecological goodsand services (clean air, water, carbonstorage, building soils, processingwastes etc.) that supports a healthyenvironment. So if society wants ahealthy environment, sustaining bio-diversity is the most important envi-ronmental priority.

But conserving prairie biodiversity isnot just about 'the business case forenvironmental functionality'. It’s alsoabout what things prairie peoplevalue. Being part of the prairieprovinces has been a big part indefining our society. Of course peo-ple have shaped the prairies, but we

have also been shaped by them - vastexpanses of space, extremes of heatand cold, drought and fertility,meadowlarks singing and anteloperunning under the biggest sky any-where. Is not our sense of who weare defined by what we experiencein the places we live our lives? Do wethen value and want future genera-tions to have the experiences of theprairie landscape we enjoy today?Do we want them to experience vastopen native rangelands, coulees andbadlands, green needlegrass, ferrug-inous hawks, Sprague's pipits andrattlesnakes?

Strategic Issues

Biodiversity,Environmental Quality and Human Values

Biodiversity is the most important environmental priority.

Prairie conservation is part science and part belief. Scienceprovides a common understand-

ing of prairie ecosystems andtheir functions. However, people

will not act to protect prairieecosystems unless they believe itis the right thing to do. Amazingthings happen when the minds

and hearts of even a small groupof people are engaged toward acommon goal rooted in soundscience and ethics. This is myhope for prairie conservation.

-Cheryl Bradley

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The last 5 years have seen a pro-found shift in discussions aboutapproaches to environmental gover-nance. There is more discussionabout intergenerational equity andthe democratic deficit. The federalgovernment has required ministriesto develop sustainable developmentstrategies and has committed signifi-cant financial resources to support-ing ecological goods and services.Concern over greenhouse gases hasfuelled an interest in carbon seques-tration. The Canada West Foundationhas put 'Natural Capital' on the

opinion pages of our newspapers.There are more demonstrations andcooperative ventures than everbefore. And the ground has shiftedin the provincial government wherethere is much talk of integrated envi-ronmental management using part-nership-based-systems and placefocused approaches.

The province has developed bothClean Air and Water strategies, isdeveloping a provincial BiodiversityStrategy and is about to launch botha Provincial Land Strategy and aSustainability Strategy for Southern

Alberta. An interdepartmental officeof sustainable resource and environ-mental management has been established to ensure the newapproaches to environmental gover-nance take root.

Finally, three key ministries (Energy,Environment and SustainableResource Development) have signed a Sustainable Resource andEnvironmental Management charter,committing themselves to workingtogether to achieve agreed-uponnatural resource and environmentalmanagement outcomes.

Threats to landscape integrity include:

Urban expansion

Resource extraction

Introduced species

Climate change uncertainty

Agricultural conversions and intensification

Development of energyresources including wind,

coal and natural gas

Strategic Issues continued

The last Alberta PCAP (2001-2005)reviewed some of the threats tolandscape integrity in Alberta'sprairie and parkland: urban expan-sion and subdivisions driven by agrowing population with manyaffluent Albertans seeking a countrylifestyle; agricultural conversions asnew markets support specialty cropssuch as potatoes on sandy soils;resource extraction as high commod-ity prices drive full extraction ofaging conventional oil and gas fields;and introduced species invading thenative landscape along river corri-dors and linear disturbances on thelandscape. All these pressures contin-ue to exist and have been joined by asuite of new ones: the developmentof wind farms dotting exposedridges on the prairie landscape; feed-lot expansion and intensification;development of a non-conventionalgas industry to exploit coalbedmethane and growing recognition

that the time to capitalize on the vast prairie coal reserves maybe coming.

Perhaps more fundamentally, thesocio-economic context is changing.Post 9/11 and BSE, open borders areno longer taken for granted and theneed to maximize value-added inAlberta and develop new markets isgrowing rapidly. In an uncertaingeopolitical world, declining conven-tional energy supplies and rapidlyindustrializing Chinese and Indianeconomies are bringing the vulnera-bilities of our carbon-based economyinto sharp focus. But before the post-carbon economy asserts itself, thecarbon economy must run its course.And Alberta is a short- to medium-term nexus for North American ener-gy security. Finally, there are theuncertainties of climate change andwhat it might mean for everything.

Contemporary Challenges

Governance Trends

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Is not our sense of who we are

defined by what we experience in

the places we live our lives?

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Strategic Issues continued

The current Alberta PCAP isdesigned to sustain the focuson biodiversity, be relevant tocontemporary challenges andalign with current trends inenvironmental governance.

The plan rests on three goalsthat build logically to thePrairie Conservation Forum’svision of conserving biologicaldiversity:

2006- 2010 Alberta PCAP

GOAL 1Research

This goal encompasses the data collection, inventory andresearch activities necessary toadequately determine the stateof biodiversity in prairie andparkland Alberta and to under-stand the likely implications ofcontinuing intensification ofhuman activities on this land-scape. Key priorities are to devel-op a detailed spatial inventoryof human and native cover typesand to build a better under-standing - both of the suite ofecological goods and servicesthat different land uses provideand of beneficial practices toenhance those benefits.

GOAL 2Stewardship

'Taking stock of the evidence'and 'deciding what to do'empower people to take stew-ardship action. There will behuman use of all our prairie land-scapes and there will be environ-mental services provided on allour prairie landscapes. The rela-tive contributions will changedramatically however from placeto place, reflecting what we haveto work with and what our society's objectives are. The chal-lenge is to bring the desired outcomes into consistent align-ment so that the PCF can pursueits mission of biodiversity conser-vation with other groups work-ing to manage watersheds, man-age airsheds or manage land use.

GOAL 3Education

People appreciate what theyunderstand. All the informationin the world is of no value if onlya few 'specialists' are aware of it.The story of the state of theprairie needs to be built, toldand widely understood. The chal-lenge is to broaden the base, to have a wide dialogue withAlbertans that builds publicawareness and engagement,that allows people to see what'shappening and what the conse-quences are, that promotes asocietal convergence on the evi-dence, and results in a societalcommitment to take positiveaction. Both formal training andinformal, practical workshops onconservation will assist in achiev-ing this goal.

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Figure 2:2005 Natural Regions and Subregions of Alberta

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This goal encompasses the data col-lection, inventory and researchactivities necessary to adequatelydetermine the state of biodiversityin prairie and parkland Alberta andto understand the likely implica-tions of continuing intensificationof human activities on this land-scape. Key priorities are to developa detailed spatial inventory ofhuman and native cover types andto build a better understanding -both of the suite of ecologicalgoods and services that differentland uses provide and of beneficialpractices to enhance those benefits.

Objective 1.1: Describe Alberta’s native prairieand parkland landscapes by pro-moting, conducting, compilingand analyzing relevant research.

Actions:1.1.1 Create a detailed grassland vegetative inventory of native and non-native species in theGrassland Natural Region.

1.1.2Conduct a fifteen-year change analysis of the entirereconnaissance level inventory of the Grassland Natural Regionincluding fine-scale analyses forselected sites.

1.1.3 Encourage efforts to characterizethe suite of ecological goods andservices provided by differentlandscape and land use types.

1.1.4Monitor the network of sites inthe Dry Mixed Grass, Mixed Grass,Northern Fescue, Foothills Fescue,and Parkland areas to improve ourunderstanding about species andecosystems.

Objective 1.2: Build sustainable data systems to ensure the maintenance, availability and analysis ofresearch data.

Actions:1.2.1Enhance inventories, data collec-tion and analysis activities focusedon native fish species and aquaticecosystems, including ephemeralprairie streams and wetlands.

1.2.2 Coordinate the collection of data on indicators of prairie environmental conditions.

1.2.3Continue to assess the status andpriority habitat needs of the top100 prairie and parkland speciesand produce status reports onspecies at risk.

1.2.4Re-invigorate the Prairie EcologyResearch Committee (PERC); regu-larly (at least quarterly) updateand make available the PERC database of scientific informationand literature on prairie and parkland ecosystems and species.

1.2.5 Facilitate data sharing betweengovernments, municipalities,non-governmental organizationsand industry.

"Wildness reminds us what it means to be human,what we are connected to

rather than what we are separate from."

- Terry Tempest Williams

GOAL 1 | Research

Enhance the information base for Alberta’s native prairie and parkland landscapes.

Objective 1.3: Conduct research into key priority areas.

Actions:1.3.1Establish a research program onprairie ecology at a post-second-ary institution in Alberta.

1.3.2Conduct research into landscape management and multi-species approaches that sustain biodiversity.

1.3.3Conduct research into minimal disturbance techniques on native prairie, and methods of restoring the ecological structure and function of disturbed sites.

1.3.4Promote economic research into the value(s) of native prairieand parkland vegetation, water-sheds, landscapes, airsheds, etc.

1.3.5Develop a means to simulatecumulative effects on the prairie landscape that assesses past changes and predicts outcomes for biodiversity conservation, to be completed in the current PCAP (2006-2010).

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Figure 3:Native Vegetation Cover Remaining in the Grassland and Parkland Natural Regions

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'Taking stock of the evidence' and'deciding what to do' empowerpeople to take stewardship action.There will be human use of all ourprairie landscapes and there will beenvironmental services providedon all our prairie landscapes. Therelative contributions will changedramatically however from placeto place, reflecting what we haveto work with and what our soci-ety's objectives are. The challengeis to bring the desired outcomesinto consistent alignment so thatthe PCF can pursue its mission ofbiodiversity conservation in a fullycomplementary fashion with othergroups working to manage water-sheds, manage airsheds or manageland use.

Objective 2.1: Develop and implement policiesand programs and advise on lawsand regulations that encouragethe conservation and restorationof Alberta’s native prairies andparklands.

Actions:2.1.1 Advise appropriate provincialagencies and municipal bodies oflaws, regulations, policies, pro-grams and activities that may bedetrimental to the sustainabilityof Alberta's native prairies andparklands.

2.1.2Develop clear and coherent strategies, policies and landscapelevel planning mechanisms thatconserve and restore Alberta’snative prairies and parklands.

2.1.3 Update Alberta's Wildlife Policy toincorporate the conservation ofAlberta's native prairies and park-lands.

2.1.4Identify improvements that couldbe made to the energy dispositionand licensing process that wouldimprove public involvement andreduce the cumulative environ-mental effects of the energyindustry on prairie and parklandecosystems.

2.1.5Promote policies preventing thecultivation of native prairie andparkland habitats on Alberta’sPublic Lands.

2.1.6Promote policies such as ForestLand Use Zones (FLUZ) to regulatevehicle access on public lands inthe prairie and parkland region.

Objective 2.2: Support land use managementpractices and protective mecha-nisms that sustain diverse ecosys-tems and restore species at riskpopulations across the wholeprairie and parkland landscape.

Actions:2.2.1Implement the wide use of rangeand riparian health assessments toenhance the level of stewardshipon native prairie landscapes.

2.2.2 Encourage cooperative initiativesamong agencies, NGOs and land-holders; develop benchmarks for

improved management and landuse practices through biophysicaland range inventories.

2.2.3Implement cooperative conserva-tion initiatives delivered by landand resource managers, landhold-ers, industry and the public.

2.2.4In consultation with interestedand affected parties, develop andimplement recovery plans at alandscape level for the highest priority landscape in each of theprairie and parkland subregions.This would include species reintroductions as required.

2.2.5 Expand riparian management pro-grams, e.g. Cows and Fish, in theprairies and parklands.

2.2.6 Expand PCF membership toinclude more of the bodiesresponsible for making decisionsaffecting prairie ecosystems.

2.2.7 Identify appropriate models andpractices for sustainable recre-ational activities and tourism onnative prairie and parkland.

GOAL 2 | Stewardship

Conserve Alberta’s native prairie and parkland landscapes.

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Objective 2.3: Protect significant, representative,and sensitive prairie and parklandecosystems.

Actions:2.3.1Develop land use plans, designateparks and protected areas, andpromote other mechanisms, e.g.conservation easements, to pro-tect environmentally significantnative prairie and parkland land-scapes and connecting corridorson public and private lands.

2.3.2 Within five years of designatingparks and protected areas, undertake biophysical inventories,develop management plans thatprotect ecosystem integrity, andestablish monitoring programs.

2.3.3Strengthen the inter-provincialcooperation of prairie and park-land protection in theDilberry/Manitou Lakes area, theMiddle Sand Hills/Great Sand Hills,and the Cypress/Milk River south-west pastures complex.

Objective 2.4: Restore degraded prairie ecosystems.

Actions:2.4.1Support management practicesthat help restore ecosystem func-tions, connectivity and biodiversityin degraded native prairies andparklands.

2.4.2 Use native plant species in weed-free, non-invasive seed mixes, forrestoration within native prairieecosystems and, where opportuni-ty exists, on tame pastures andformer croplands.

2.4.3Support soil conservation practiceson tilled agricultural lands.

2.4.4Assess the implementation of theEUB Information Letter (IL)Guidelines for Minimizing SurfaceDisturbance on Native Prairie.

Conserve Alberta’s native prairie and parkland landscapes.

"The extreme southeastern corner of Alberta and south-western Saskatchewan was once a forgotten corner but it is

forgotten no more. The recent construction of a majorpipeline corridor and activity by oil and gas companies

suggests that these extensive grasslands could be convertedinto more highly developed landscapes. These areas aboundin unique and rare natural phenomena, but it is the variety

in both the rare and the common features that give themtheir tremendous value. Resting atop a badland butte andgazing across the canyons and rolling grasslands, one cancontemplate the natural majesty of the Great Plains. Foranyone who has heard the melodies of grassland birds

riding the warm summer breezes or watched as a GoldenEagle drifts low over a coulee rim, these will always be

among the world's most special places."

- Cliff Wallis

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People appreciate what theyunderstand. All the information inthe world is of no value if only afew 'specialists' are aware of it. Thestory of the state of the prairieneeds to be built, told and widelyunderstood. The challenge is tobroaden the base, to have a wide dialogue with Albertans that builds public awareness andengagement, that allows people tosee what's happening and whatthe consequences are, that pro-motes a societal convergence onthe evidence, and results in a socie-tal commitment to take positiveaction. Both formal training andinformal, practical workshops onconservation will assist in achievingthis goal.

Objective 3.1: Promote an understanding andappreciation of our native prairieand parkland ecosystems.

Actions:3.1.1 Develop and deliver educationand awareness materials and programs on Alberta's provincialgrass and related prairie and parkland conservation topics.

3.1.2Promote PCF through its website,presentations, field tours, occasional papers and memberorganizations.

3.1.3 Encourage the media to supportprairie and parkland conservationinitiatives through coverage ofprairie and parkland conservationissues.

3.1.4Recognize outstanding environ-mental stewardship throughaward programs.

3.1.5Encourage interpretive programs,exhibits and publications on prairieand parkland topics at zoos, parks,museums and nature centres.

3.1.6Promote prairie and parkland conservation and appropriate use of native plants throughurban garden centres and demonstration sites.

3.1.7Raise awareness about the appro-priate use and impacts of vehiclesand equipment on native prairieand parkland.

Objective 3.2: Share information and resourcesto assist land users and decision-makers in conserving nativeprairie and parkland habitats and species.

Actions:3.2.1Incorporate the knowledge andexperience of landholders intoeducational and extension materi-als on native prairie and parklandconservation.

3.2.2 Continue extension programs,including range managementcourses, short courses, seminars,conferences, and field days showcasing demonstration sites to promote the adoption of beneficial management practices.

GOAL 3 | Education

Increase awareness of the values and importance ofAlberta's native prairie and parkland ecosystems.

“Carl Sagan twenty years agoworried about what we aredoing to perpetuate our futureas a member of the Cosmos,and I worry today that very lit-tle has changed. Native grasssits like a fossil on the groundat our feet. We take the water,the air and the views that are anatural consequence of thiscover type, as a given. Thereality is that Native grass isthe web which holds us to thepast, and will support us in thefuture. The trick is to showpeople what life support theselands provide. So what will ittake to bring the Native grassinto focus for the people ofAlberta? We can measure andanalyse, dissect and itemizeprairie components until it nolonger exists. The bottom linewill be the decision to defendany future loss of the last rem-nants of this class. Where willwe draw the line in the sodand say “this stays”?Alliances, friends and the real-ization that we stand at theedge of evermore hold the key.Save it now or for evermorebid it farewell. I will sleep bet-ter just to know we did whatwe could.”

- Francis Gardner

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3.2.3Use cumulative effects models andGIS based land use inventories toraise awareness about trends andconsequences, and to assist landuse decision making processes inachieving environmental qualityobjectives and conserving nativeecosystems.

3.2.4Collaborate with species-at-riskrecovery teams to help communi-cate their work to landholders,municipal and provincial staff andthe media.

3.2.5Develop additional topics to com-municate significant prairieresearch to decision makersthrough the PCF Occasional Paperseries.

3.2.6Continuously update the PCF website to include electronicprairie database, tools for conser-vation and relevant reports/news

on native prairie and parklandenvironments.

Objective 3.3: Encourage the incorporation ofprairie and parkland ecosystemstudies in formal educational cur-ricula at all levels.

Actions:3.3.1Develop and promote the use ofprairie and parkland educationalresources in schools.

3.3.2 Expand the delivery of prairie conservation courses, such as the one developed for theUniversity of Lethbridge, toother universities and colleges.

"In July, when the pools of

water are fast drying up under

the sun, and when the grass of

their more southern pastures

has been consumed, these ani-

mals make their way north-

ward to the fertile valleys of

the Saskatchewan and its trib-

utaries. They appear to cling to

the line of the Milk River,

probably because they depend

upon its water ..... The plains

between the Milk River and

the Sweetgrass Hills are a sort

of neutral ground between the

Indian tribes and are generally

left unoccupied by them; the

Sioux and Assiniboines do not

appear to cross the west bank

of the stream, and the

Blackfeet, who cling to the

skirts of the Rocky mountains,

rarely approach the Buttes. As

a consequence, perhaps of this

state of things, this strip of

country was, in July, 1874, full

of buffalo, which were slowly

moving north in large herds."

- Captain Featherstonhaugh 1876

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AnthropogenicEnvironmental modificationthrough the work or activity of humans.

BenchmarkThe variety or variability oforganisms from all sourcesincluding terrestrial, marine andother aquatic and the ecologicalcomplexes of which they are a part.2

Biological Diversity(Biodiversity)A measure of the type andnature of organisms occurringon a landscape.

CommunityThe populations of differentspecies interacting with eachother in a particular habitat.

ConnectivityHabitat linkages that connectdistinguishable areas (i.e., habi-tat nodes/patches) within alandscape.

ConservationThe wise use, management and protection of resources tomaintain their quality andquantity on a sustainable basis.

Conservation EthicA way of acting and thinkingwithin a conservation orientedframework.

CorridorAn intact passageway thatallows for the free movementof animals between habitats ina landscape.

Crown LandLands held by the Crown inright of the provincial or federalgovernment. In Alberta, provin-cial Crown Land is administeredunder the authority of thePublic Lands Act.

Cumulative EffectsThe incremental and combinedeffects (impacts) of humanactions and projects on the environment within a

geographically defined area.

Demonstration Site (Project)An area set aside for theexpress purpose of testing, confirming, or establishing the outcome of resource man-agement interventions for thebenefit of informing others.

Ecological Integrity (see alsoLandscape Integrity)An ecosystem condition inwhich natural processes areintact and fully functional and in which biodiversity (i.e.,native species and communities)and ecological components are sustained.

EcosystemThe structure and function ofliving and non-living compo-nents and the ecologicalprocesses that link them.

Ecosystem FunctionThe set of processes that inte-grate ecosystem components.

Ecosystem ManagementThe art and science of conserv-ing natural landscape diversity,productivity and processes while providing a sustainableflow of products to meet soci-ety's needs.

Environmental IndicatorsA measurable variable – describ-ing an environmental state orcondition – that is used to assessthe effectiveness of chosenstrategies in achieving statedresource management goals, targets and objectives.

GlossaryThe following definitions are provided for some of the key terms used in the Alberta PCAP.

2 Wilson, A.E. 1992. The diversity of life. Belknap Press, Harvard University.

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EphemeralShort-lived, as in water bodiessuch as ponds that fill orstreams that flow briefly afterprecipitation events.

FaunaAll species of vertebrate andinvertebrate animals.

FloraAll species of vascular and non-vascular plants.

GIS (Geographic InformationSystem)A powerful mapping tool forcollecting, storing, retrieving,displaying and transforming ormanipulating mapped data. GISmakes ‘smart maps’ in that anytype of data can be mappedwhere it occurs in real spaceand used to answer manage-ment questions for particularapplications. It can be used tomodel ‘what-if’ scenarios –which are an important compo-nent of environmental and riskassessments – and is used incumulative impacts modelling aswell as examining trends overtime and space.

HabitatThe place where an animal orplant lives.

Industrial FootprintThe area disturbed by an indus-trial project or activity.

LandscapeAll of the biotic and abiotic fea-tures of an area including vege-tation, microbes, wildlife,topography, soils, geology and-

climate. A landscape can be asmall feature such as a hill, or aregional feature such as a natu-ral region or subregion (see def-inition of these terms).

Landscape IntegrityThe quality of a landscapemosaic in which the structureand function of naturally occur-ring landforms, surface featuresand landscape characteristicsare maintained while accommo-dating acceptable levels of dis-turbance.

Management PlanA set of actions to ensure that aparticular species or habitatdoes not become rare, threat-ened or endangered.

MicrofaunaInsects and other small invertebrates like mites, nematodes and worms thatserve an essential role in ecosystems.

MonitoringThe act of assessing some entity with the intent of detecting changes over time.Ecosystem monitoring, for example, might include estab-lishing some benchmarks orrecords of initial condition and then surveying those benchmarks every few years for changes in wildlife, plant and microbial composition.

Native PrairieAn area of unbroken grasslandor aspen parkland dominatedby non-introduced species.

Native Prairie EcosystemSee 'native prairie' and 'ecosystem'. Includes soil,hydrology, vegetation, climate,microbes, wildlife, landscapefeatures, and the processeswhich link them.

Natural CapitalRefers to those naturally occurring assets that are found on, above or below the earth’s surface including:water bodies, soils, forests andgrasslands, minerals, energyresources, fish and wildlife,scenery, landforms, etc.

Glossary

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Natural Region/SubregionA natural region is a broadlandscape division characterizedby a distinct set of climatic, veg-etation, soil, and topographicfeatures. A natural subregion isa finer subdivision of the natu-ral region based on landformvariations over a smaller area.There are six natural regionssubdivided into 20 natural subregions in Alberta.

ParklandThe 'parkland' includes two natural subregions (CentralParkland and Foothills Parkland)developed on dark-brown orblack chernozemic soils.Characteristic vegetationincludes rough fescue in grass-land portions and tremblingaspen in the forested areas. Thisnatural region has a well devel-oped shrub and herbaceouslayer. In the Central Parklandrainfall is distributed evenlythrough the summer months,providing water for abundantpothole wetlands. The FoothillsParkland occupies a narrow tran-sitional zone between foothillsfescue grasslands and montaneforests. The frost free periodaverages only 90 days.

ProtectionRetention of the integrity,authenticity, and intrinsic valueof the native prairie resource inperpetuity.

Public LandProvincial Crown Land. Definedin Alberta’s Public Lands Act as“land of the Crown in right ofAlberta.”

Range, RangelandsGenerally, lands supportingnative or introduced plantswhich are a source of forage for domestic and native ani-mals, and a source of other values derived from ecosystemfunctions.

Range ManagementThe art and science of optimiz-ing the returns from rangelandsin those combinations mostdesired by and suitable to socie-ty through the manipulationand conservation of rangeecosystems.

Recovery PlanA set of actions for a particularthreatened, endangered orextirpated species, aimed atincreasing its numbers so that it can be de-listed.

ResourceAny part of the environmentwhich society perceives as having value.

Riparian ManagementThe actions associated with controlling resource uses inecosystems along streams andon their floodplains to ensuretheir continuing integrity andfunction.

SpeciesA unit used to classify livingthings, describing any groupsthat share general physical characteristics, and which theoretically can mate and produce fertile offspring.

Glossary

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Species at RiskAn umbrella term that refers tospecies which fall into the fol-lowing (federal) categories:extirpated, endangered, threat-ened, or of special concern (vul-nerable).

“Extirpated” species are thosethat no longer exist in the wildin Canada but exist elsewhere.

“Endangered” species are thosethat face imminent extirpationor extinction.

“Threatened’ species are thosewhich are likely to becomeendangered if limiting factorsare not reversed.

“Special Concern” (Vulnerable)species are those which maybecome threatened or endan-gered because of a combinationof biological characteristics andidentified threats.

Stewardship“The individual and corporateresponsibility of one generationto maintain the natural inheri-tance that it has received, bothfor its benefit and for the bene-fit of future generations. Acommitment to conserve andmaintain the natural features ofthe land.” (Source: Grasslands –Toward a North AmericanConservation Strategy. 2003)

Sustainable DevelopmentThe act of balancing humanneeds for resources with themaintenance of healthy naturalecosystems that support humanexistence.

Tame Pasture (tame grassland)Landscapes which have beenconverted from natural vegeta-tive cover to forage speciesthrough cultivation and seeding.

White AreaEstablished by the Governmentof Alberta in 1948, the ‘WhiteArea’ is that portion of theprovince which is suitable for human settlement and agricultural use.

WildlifeAll native species of plants, ani-mals (including all invertebratesand vertebrates) fungi, andsome unicellular life forms.

Glossary

Photography Credits Cover Photo: Louella CronkhiteIntro Page: Cliff WallisContents Page: Delaney BoydPg 2: Ian DysonPg 5: Cam LockerbiePg 6: Dave FairlessPg 7: Ian DysonPg 9: Sandi RiemersmaPg 10: Ian DysonPg 12: Cam Lockerbie (top), Cliff Wallis (bottom)Pg 13: Ian DysonPg 15: Cliff WallisPg 16: Louella CronkhitePg 18: Ian DysonPg 19: Dave FairlessPg 20: Cliff WallisPg 21: Cliff WallisPg 22: Ian DysonPg 23: Heidi EijgelPg 24: Ian Dyson

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Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada PFRA www.agr.gc.ca

- Mark Wonneck- Bill Bristol

Alberta Agriculture, Food and RuralDevelopment www.agric.gov.ab.ca

- Greg Hale

Alberta Beef Producerswww.albertabeef.org

- Craig Horner

Alberta Conservation Association www.ab-conservation.com

- Linda Cerney- Randy Lee- Richard Ehlert

Alberta Conservation Tillage Society/ Dryland Salinity ControlAssociation

- Vern McNeely

Alberta Fish and Game Associationwww.afga.org

- Francois Blouin

Alberta Native Plant Councilwww.anpc.ab.ca

- Cheryl Bradley- Reg Ernst

Alberta Sustainable Resource Development www.srd.gov.ab.ca

- Dom Ruggieri- Suzanne Hawkes

Alberta Wilderness Associationwww.albertawilderness.ca

- Cliff Wallis- Cleve Wershler

Canadian Forces Base – Suffield (Department of National Defence) www.army.forces.gc.ca/cfb_suffield/home.html

- Major Fern Martins- Wes Richmond- Brent Smith- Delaney Boyd- Karen Anderson

Canadian Parks and Wilderness Societywww.cpaws.org

- Derek Ebner

City of Calgary www.calgary.ca

- Chris Manderson

Community Development (Alberta)Parks and Protected Areas www.albertaparks.ca

- Wayne Pedrini- Cam Lockerbie- Heidi Eijgel- Terry Krause

Community Development (Alberta)www.cd.gov.ab.ca

- Dr. W. Bruce McGillivray- Mark Steinhilber- Gerry Ward- George Chalut

Prairie Conservation ForumThe Prairie Conservation Forum is a voluntary association of Alberta organizations whose interests orjurisdictions relate to prairie and parkland landscapes. It exists to encourage effective implementationof the Prairie Conservation Action Plan and to provide an ongoing profile for prairie and parkland con-servation initiatives. Its key functions include:

• providing a forum for networking and information exchange• steering implementation of the PCAP• promoting public awareness and education

Any organization wishing to participate in the work of the Forum may join the Prairie ConservationForum. All Forum meetings are open to the public. The Prairie Conservation Forum meets about threetimes annually in various centres in prairie and parkland Alberta.

The current membership of the Prairie Conservation Forum is as follows:

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Ducks Unlimited Canada www.ducks.ca

- Morgan Stromsmoe- Brett Calverley- Jerry Brunen

Eastern Irrigation Districtwww.eid.ab.ca

- Tom Livingston- Rick Martin

Economic Development (Alberta)www.alberta-canada.com

- Kevin Crockett

EnCana Corporation www.encana.com

- Vasile Klaassen

Energy (Alberta) www.energy.gov.ab.ca

- Jennifer Steber

Energy and Utilities Board (Alberta)www.eub.gov.ab.ca

Environment Canada - CanadianWildlife Servicewww.cws-scf.ec.gc.ca

- Olaf Jensen- Ron Bennett

Federation of Alberta Naturalistswww.fanweb.ca

- Donald Stiles- Andrew Stiles

Fish and Wildlife Service (AlbertaSustainable Resource Development)www.srd.gov.ab.ca/fw/index.html

- Richard Quinlan

Grasslands Naturalists natureline.info

- Rob Gardner- Dawn Dickinson- Henry Binder

MD of Ranchland No. 66Agricultural Service Board

- Carolyn Wilson

National Energy Board www.neb-one.gc.ca

- Kent Lien- Pamela Romanchuk

Natural Resources ConservationBoard (Alberta Sustainable Resource Development) www.nrcb.gov.ab.ca

- Dr. Robert Powell- Kristen Lorenz

Nature Conservancy of Canadawww.natureconservancy.ca

- Dana Blouin- Nic DeGama-Blanchet- Renny Grilz

Parks Canada (Waterton LakesNational Park) www.pc.gc.ca

- Bill Dolan

Pekisko Groupwww.pekisko.ca/

- Harvey Gardner

Public Lands and Forestry (AlbertaSustainable Resource Development)www.srd.gov.ab.ca

- Brian Laing

Regional Services (Alberta Environment) www.environment.gov.ab.ca

- Ian Dyson- Cheryl Dash

Resource Information ManagementBranch (Alberta SustainableResource Development) www.srd.gov.ab.ca

- Livio Fent- Marilyn Rayner

Ann and Sandy Cross Conservation Area www.crossconservation.org

- Jacquie Gilson

Shell Canada Ltd.www.shell.ca

- Roger Creasey

Society for Range Managementwww.rangelands.org

- Ed Nelson- Barry Adams

Southern Alberta Applied Research Association

- Jerry Holtman

Southern Alberta Land Trust Societywww.salts-landtrust.org

- Jane Pederson

Special Areas Advisory Council- Kyle Christianson- Gerald Kornelson

Special Areas Board www.specialareas.ab.ca

- Dug Major- Corinne Kelts

Transportation (Alberta)www.infratrans.gov.ab.ca

- Al Nilson

University of Alberta www.ualberta.ca

- Dr. Mark S. Boyce

University of Calgarywww.ucalgary.ca

- Dr. Cormack Gates- Peggy Desserud

University of Lethbridge www.uleth.ca

- Dr. Andy Hurly- Dr. Cam Goater

Western Sky Land Trust Societywww.westernskylandtrust.ca

- Tracy Tarves

Wildlife Society (Alberta Chapter)www.albertadirectory.net/actws

- David Scobie- Douglas M. Collister

Prairie Conservation ForumOperations: Alberta Environmentwww.environment.gov.ab.ca

- Ian Dyson, PCF Secretary- Cheryl Dash, PCF support- Louella Cronkhite, PCAP support

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References David A. Gauthier, 2003. Grasslands: Toward a North American Conservation Strategy. Montréal,Québec, Canada: Regina, SK: Commission for Environmental Cooperation; Canadian Plains ResearchCentre, University of Regina ISBN: 2922305902

PCF PublicationsPrairie Conservation Action PlansWorld Wildlife Fund Canada, 1988. Prairie Conservation Action Plan: 1989-1994.World Wildlife Fund Canada, Toronto, 38 pages.

Prairie Conservation Forum. May 1997. An Assessment of the Prairie ConservationAction Plan: 1989-1994. Prairie Conservation Forum. Lethbridge. 49 pages.

Prairie Conservation Forum. January 1996. Alberta Prairie Conservation Action Plan:1996-2000. Prairie Conservation Forum, Lethbridge. 28 pages.

Prairie Conservation Forum. April 1997. Implementation Strategy: Alberta PrairieConservation Action Plan. Prairie Conservation Forum. Lethbridge. 30 pages.

Prairie Conservation Forum. January 2001. Alberta Prairie Conservation Action Plan:2001-2005. Prairie Conservation Forum, Lethbridge. 34 pages.

Occasional PapersOccasional Paper Number 1:Gardner, Francis. May 1993. The Rules of the World, Prairie ConservationCoordinating Committee, Lethbridge. 8 pages.

Occasional Paper Number 2:Bradley, Cheryl and Cliff Wallis. February 1996. Prairie Ecosystem Management: AnAlberta Perspective, Prairie Conservation Forum, Lethbridge. 29 pages.

Occasional Paper Number 3:Dormaar, J.F. and R.L. Barsh. December 2000. The Prairie Landscape: Perceptions ofReality, Prairie Conservation Forum, Lethbridge. 37 pages.

Occasional Paper Number 4:Sinton, Healther and Christine Pitchford. June 2002. Minimizing the Effects of Oil andGas Activity on Native Prairie in Alberta. Prairie Conservation Forum, Lethbridge. 40 pages.

Occasional Paper Number 5:Lalonde, Kim, Corbett, Bill and Bradley, Cheryl. August 2005. Southern Alberta’sWatersheds: An Overview. Prairie Conservation Forum, Lethbridge. 51 pages.

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Prairie NotesPrairie Notes No. 1. Audet, Roy. 1999. Management of the Last Sands Ranch. 3 pages.

Prairie Notes No. 2. Richardson's Ground Squirrel - Spermophilus richardsonii : Michener, Gail and JosefSchmutz. 9 pages.

Annual ReportsThe Prairie Conservation Coordinating Committee Annual Report 1989-1990.Andy Masiuk, Chair. 10 pages.

The Prairie Conservation Coordinating Committee Annual Report 1991.Gerald McKeating, Chair. April 1992. 14 pages.

The Prairie Conservation Coordinating Committee Annual Report 1992.Gerald McKeating, Chair. March 1993. 14 pages.

The Prairie Conservation Coordinating Committee Annual Report 1993.Miles Scott-Brown, Chair. 12 pages.

Prairie Conservation Forum Annual Report 1994-1995. Lynda Paterson, Chair (1994) and Dug Major, Chair (1995). May 1996. 22 pages.

Prairie Conservation Forum Annual Report 1996-1997. Roger Creasey, Chair (1996) and Bill Dolan, Chair (1997). June 1998. 21 pages.

Prairie Conservation Forum Annual Report 1998 & 1999. Dave Scobie, Chair (1998) and Cheryl Bradley, Chair (1999). February 2000. 17 pages.

Prairie Conservation Forum Annual Report 2000 & 2001. Dug Major, Chair (2000 & 2001). February 2002. 21 pages.

Prairie Conservation Forum Annual Report 2002 & 2003. Rob Powell, Chair (2002)and Vern McNeely, Chair (2003). April 2005. 19 pages.

Education MaterialsNative Prairie and Prairie Wildlife Endangered Spaces and Species:Education Programs for Schools and Youth Groups. Prairie Conservation Forum. Prepared August 1999 and Revised October 1999. 37 pages.

Alberta Grasslands: A World at Your Feet. Teacher’s Guide Grade 7-9 Science. Alberta Environment. March 2005. 60 pages.

Fact sheets on prairie and parkland are available on the PCF website at http://www.albertapcf.ab.ca/

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