The Sturgeon River Plains Bison Stewards are pleased to announce an upcoming international conference on plains bison to be held in Big River, Saskatchewan on June 8-10, 2010. The conference, called Bison on the Edge, brings together local, national and international expertise on plains bison and on the management of large wildlife in the agricultural/wildlands interface.

Presentations will include the historical and cultural context for plains bison as well as Aboriginal perspectives on bison. International speakers will include Dawn Montanye with the Northern Great Plains Program of the World Wildlife Fund; Keith Aune, with the Wildlife Conservation Society in Montana; and Steven Neki, from Uganda, with a presentation on gorilla and elephant conservation in Bwindi National Park, adjacent to communities and agricultural lands. Dr. Daniel Fortin from Laval University will present the results of several years of research on the Sturgeon River plains bison. Dr. Cormack Gates, of the University of Calgary and co-chair of the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) Bison Specialist Group and Parks Canada will provide overviews and background on the history of bison in North America. Speakers will also address local landowners’ experiences and perspectives, and will discuss wildlife viewing and other tourism opportunities and potential.

Conference Agenda Attached.

WORKSHOP INVITATION: Impact of Climate Change on Target Species at Risk in
SW Saskatchewan  Apr 14, 15, Cypress Hills SK

Agenda ATTACHED

How This Workshop Fits
As part of the South of the Divide, Action Plan on Species at Risk, we are
hosting a workshop to develop conservation strategies primarily for UPLAND
GRASSLAND species that might be affected by climate change (see species
list below).

Who is Leading
Anne Schrag of the WWF-Montana will be leading us through a workshop using
climate change impact scenarios on upland grassland vegetation that have
been developed by Jeff Thorpe of the Saskatchewan Research Council.  Anne
will be drawing on species expertise to assess consequences on target
species. Below is a breakdown of target species for the South of the Divide
Project.   The workshop will be concentrating on UPLAND GRASSLAND species
(see list of species below).  Anne lead a similar workshop series in
Montana. The Final Report is attached FYI.

Who Should Attend
Species experts and people interested in developing biodiversity
conservation adaptation strategies for climate change.

Meeting Objectives
  ·  Increased awareness of climate change impacts on sagebrush and
     grassland communities
  ·  Identification of methods for setting management objectives in the
     face of climate change
  ·  Increased awareness of the scenario-planning process that can be used
     to develop adaptation strategies
  ·  Identification of adaptation strategies and thresholds for action
  ·  Recommendations for including climate change adaptation into the
     South-of-the-Divide Species-at-Risk Action Plan

Meeting Location and Particulars

Time:    April   14 - 15, 2010
Duration:   1½ day
Location:   Cypress Room  at the Cypress Park Resort  Inn
           Cypress Hills Provincial Park,
           Maple Creek, Sask.
           662-4477
Start time: April 14, 2010  @ 1 pm.
           April 15, 2010 @ 8:30 am.
Cypress Park Resort  Inn   Accommodation costs:
           28 hotel rooms - $95.00 plus tax
           Cabins ( 2 night min.)
                 2 bedroom - $105.00 plus tax
                 3 bedroom - $115.00 plus tax
           Condos (2 night min.)
                 2 bedroom - $125.00)
                 3 bedroom - $155.00Complimentary Continental breakfast – To be determined

NOTE:  Participants Responsible for Own Lunch and Supper
Lunch       -      Soup, salad and two selection of sandwiches – To be
determined
Supper -       see attached menu selection.  Preorder when booking your
room.
Pastries and refreshments  available by the dozen  for mid-morning and
mid-afternoon  courtesy of Grasslands National Park
Distances  from  Maple Creek  to:
  ·  Calgary........390 km................5 ½ hr.
  ·  Regina.........375 km................4 hr
  ·  Saskatoon....318 km................5 ½ hr.
Distance from Maple Creek to  Cypress Hills Provincial Park:
  ·  45 km............40 minutes

Please call ahead to book your room(s) as there have been 25 rooms blocked
off and will only be held until   March 15, 2010

     To confirm attendance or for further information Contact

     Pat Fargey:   pat.fargey@pc.gc.ca.    Tel 306-298-2166 ext 224