We are happy to announce the return of our summer student Eric Durell for the 2019 season. We expect to keep Eric busy with more of the same: Culvert Mapping, Love Your Lake Shoreline Assessments, Natural Edge shoreline restoration planning, and leafy spurge beetle collection and transportation. Eric's position is funded in part by the Government of Canada
Maddie Simpso, our Intern Watershed Technician, joined our team in June, 2019. She will be providing support to our Emma Lake Action and Understanding, and Muskeg Lake Cree Nation: A Story of Community and Climate. Maddie worked with the NSRBC as a summer student in 2017. She will hit the ground running and we are looking forward to her support over the next year.
Mistawasis Nehiyawak Climate Change Health Adaptation
Final Gathering May 2, 2019
After two successful years of engaging community members, providing opportunities for discussion, learning and reconnecting individuals to traditional knowledge, we were excited to gather to support the Grade 12 class in their journey in finding Nehiyawak in their community. Several students participated in a mural exercise, while others engaged in a Photo Voice exercise. Anticipating 50 people, we were pleased to see the venue packed with over 80 community members who came out to support the youth and enjoy the video presentations and supper.
Mistawasis Grade Twelve Class Mural Project on Display to the Community.
Grade Twelve Students Presenting their Photo Voice Project
This project was funded by Health Canada as part of the Climate Change and Health Adaptation Program for First Nations South of 60°N. Mistawasis Nehiyawak was awarded funding for 2 consecutive years. The NSRBC was proud to partner on the program and to provide support to the Mistawasis team. We are also happy to acknowledge funding support from Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority for the final event.
Muskeg Lake Cree Nation: A Story of Community and Climate
Work has begun with the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation to kick start the Climate Change Adaptation Program for First Nations South of 60N. Meetings held on April 28 and May 17, 2019 have started the ball rolling for action items including Elder engagement, drafting a storybook with the youth and development of a videography and installation of a remote climate station.
Muskeg Lake Cree Nation Source Water Protection Plan Renewal!
Another project in the works for Muskeg Lake Cree Nation is the renewal of their Source Water Protection Plan. In partnership with the University of Saskatchewan's School of Environment and Sustainability we have been awarded a master's candidate, Melissa Colquhoun to support the workload of completing the plan. A steering committee has been struck with members from Muskeg Lake band, Saskatoon Tribal Council, the University of Saskatchewan and the NSRBC. Perceived risks are identified and ranked based on impact and likelihood of occurrence. Mitigation actions are identified and a timeline and task force is outlined. Muskeg Lake completed a source water protection plan in 2008. This is the first source water protection plan renewal to our knowledge.
Melissa Colquhoun, U of S Master's Candidate
Jackfish and Murray Lakes Nutrient Study
After several years of growing concern over water quality in Jackfish and Murray Lakes, we are pleased to announce our partnership with the Jackfish Lake Stewards and the University of Saskatchewan's, School of Environment and Sustainability. Kabir Salisu is a Master's candidate that will be assisting the Jackfish Stewards in developing a water quality monitoring plan. This will include strategies for narrowing the focus of sampling to determine sources of nutrient loading, from urban storm water run off, or tributaries from agricultural landscapes. He will also develop tools that will assist the Stewards with interpreting their data results. We are hopeful this project template can be shared with other groups to compliment any water quality sampling they may be collecting.
From Left: Cathy Ornawka, Kabir Salisu, Penny Duncan, Ruth Seime
Aquatic Habitat Protection Permit Questions Answered (1 of 4 interviews)
Tanya Johnston, Supervisor, Aquatic Habitat Protection with the Water Security Agency (WSA) sat down with us, to answer some questions on Aquatic Habitat Protection Permits (AHPPs) and the permitting process. Find below the first of four Q&A sessions.
Q. Why do we need an AHPP? A. In Saskatchewan, water bodies and watercourses within the province are owned by the Crown and are managed as a public resource. Development in and adjacent to these waterbodies, even when some or all of the land affected may be privately-owned, can impact these public resources. The AHPP process balances the needs of development with protecting aquatic habitat and species.
Think of it as an environmental stamp of approval where the Crown ensures that, provided you carry out the project as outlined in the permit, your actions will have a minimal impact on the public resource.
Q. What types of work requires an AHPP? A. Almost any project that will alter the bed or shoreline of a water body through excavation, the addition or removal of material, the construction of various infrastructure or the removal of aquatic or riparian vegetation will require a permit.
Some of the most common recreational works include shoreline stabilization, which takes the form of rock rip-rap or retaining walls, boathouses, lake access trails and aquatic vegetation removal. However, bridges, culverts, water intakes and agricultural drainage are other common types of work that requires a permit.
There are some exceptions however, and these are outlined on our website ( https://www.wsask.ca/Water-Programs/Aquatic-Habitat-Protection/ ) and in our fact sheets. One such example is temporary or seasonal docks (e.g. floating or post docks) that are removed every year from the water. These do not require an AHPP.
This map shows the administration boundaries in the North Saskatchewan River Watershed.
Aquatic Invasive Species: Clean, Drain and Dry Your Watercraft!
NSRBC 2019 Poster Contest Winner
Each year the NSRBC hosts a poster contest with schools in the watershed. The contest promotes the value of wetlands to wildlife, while educating youth on the importance of keeping our watersheds healthy and clean for generations to come.
This year's first place winner was Gracie Cyr! Congratulations on an awesome poster! On Friday May 31st, Kyla Kennedy, one of the NSRBC's Agri-Environmental Technicians, presented Gracie the $100 gift card award and presented to the class! Kyla says "It it a great experience to work with the grade 7 and 8 school kids and teach them about about watersheds, water quality and what my job and the NSRBC is all about."
Aquatic Habitat Protection Permit Questions Answered (1 of 4 interviews)
