M.D. council supports prairie conservation event

By J.W. Schnarr
Taber Times
jwschnarr@tabertimes.com

The Municipal District of Taber will join a host of prairie and species-at-risk enthusiasts, professionals, practitioners, students, and other stakeholders from across North America who will be attending “Prairie – It’s a Happening Place!” next year through the Prairie Conservation and Endangered Species Conference.

During their regular meeting on July 14, council agreed to provide $1,000 for bronze-level sponsorship to the event, which takes place Feb. 16 – 18, 2016, in Saskatoon, Sask. The goal is to provide a place for more than 300 native prairie advocates, users, and managers to share ideas and experiences. It is billed as an event that will provide insight into the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead for land use, prairie conservation, and endangered species across the Northern Great Plains.

During discussion, council looked over the rates for platinum, gold, silver, or bronze levels of sponsorship, and the costs involved prompted Reeve Brian Brewin to comment on the amount the M.D. might be interested in contributing.

“We’re more like wood,” Brewin joked.

Originally, Division 5 Coun. Bob Wallace suggested a $500 donation would be sufficient. Deputy Reeve Dwight Tolton said council should consider increasing that amount, as he had attended one of their meetings previously and felt there would be more recognition from a larger donation.

“You make inroads with the people on the other side of the fence,” he said.
“We learned a lot. They are not as scary as we thought they were.” Tolton added a bronze level sponsorship would be more useful, and when broken down, the cost was manageable.

“It’s only held every three years,” he said. “It’s back and forth between Alberta and Saskatchewan.”

The first conference was held in 1986, in Edmonton. Since then it has been held every three years and revolving through Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. In 2016, topics at issue will include:

Understanding the status and issues involving today’s prairie and endangered species; protecting or conserving prairie and wildlife species; restoring prairie species populations that have been lost or damaged; and
moving people to appreciate prairies and endangered species, and to live and work among them responsibly.

The event will be hosted by the Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan with help from other organizers.