Learn about SAW’s initiative to bring the ALUS farming method to the Carrot River Watershed.
A habitat project in Pine Cree Park helps the threatened Plains Sucker by removing migration barriers and adding a spawning riffle.
MARCH 2025
March 18 - ALUS Workshop, KVC, Melfort
March 19 - Drought Preparedness Community Engagement Meeting, Vanguard Village Office
March 24 - Drought Preparedness Community Engagement Meeting, Cabri Town Hall
March 25 - Drought Preparedness Community Engagement Meeting, Hudson Bay Town Office
March 31 - ALUS-SAW Carrot River Watershed Project Proposals Application Deadline
APRIL 2025
April 10 - SWEAP In-Person Training for Agriculture Professionals, Grant Hall, Moose Jaw
April 13-16 - Annual SUMA Convention, Saskatoon
MAY 2025
May 3 - Nutrien’s Caring for Our Watersheds Competition Finals, Saskatoon
May 17 - Tree for Life Sales End
PRAIRIE CLIMATE WATERSHED PROGRAMMING WRAPS UP AS A SUCCESS
The Prairie Climate Watershed Program has been delivered by the Saskatchewan Association of Watersheds in partnership with the Manitoba Association of Watersheds over the past three years. This program delivered On Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) over twenty-seven million dollars of funding to over 1800 Saskatchewan farmers and ranchers across three best management practices (BMP’s): Nitrogen Management, Cover Cropping and Rotational Grazing impacting over 4.65 million acres of land.
Through the Nitrogen Management BMP, SAW supported producers to adopt practices such as the use of polymer coated urea fertilizer, use of nitrification and urease inhibitors, split application of fertilizers, the use of legumes in rotation, soil testing, soil mapping and equipment upgrades to support the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The program was applied to over 4.6 million acres of crop land. The adoption of nitrogen management strategies ensures optimum productivity, reduces nitrogen losses, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance economic profitability and environmental quality.
The Cover Crop BMP supported producers to adopt cover cropping as a new or expanded practice on over 152,000 acres across Saskatchewan Cover cropping is a well-known agricultural practice used to enhance the organic and topsoil layers of the soil, increase the nitrogen content, and improve soil health. Cover cropping as a BMP is one of the best
solutions to reduce fertilizer application rates and nitrogen emissions to the atmosphere.
The Rotational Grazing BMP supported producers applied rotational grazing strategies to over 184,000 acres across the province. Pastures/rangelands managed under rotational grazing practices have also been found to have higher soil carbon sequestration rates when compared to continuous grazing which can serve as an effective carbon mitigation option. Importantly, ranchers see rotational grazing as an effective way to improve the profitability of their cattle operations while benefiting overall ecosystem health.
The PWCP provided up to $40 million in financial support, through the On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF), to producers in Manitoba and Saskatchewan to accelerate their adoption and implementation of on-farm beneficial management practices (BMPs) to reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, support production efficiency, sustainability and resiliency on their farm operations. The PWCP program ends March 31, 2025. The Saskatchewan Association of Watersheds is proud have worked closed with the Manitoba Association of Watershed to delivery this valuable agriculture stewardship program over the past three years. Funding for this program has been provided in part by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the Agriculture Climate Solutions- On Farm Climate Action Fund.
Program details and delivery will begin in April.
ALUS-SAW PROGRAM & COMMUNITY COLLABORATION
ALUS Canada and the Saskatchewan Association of Watersheds have formed a unique and exciting collaboration to bring the ALUS model to farming and ranching communities across Saskatchewan.
The ALUS-SAW Carrot River Watershed Community is guided by a variety of individuals including local farmers and ranchers, respected industry professionals and technical advisors that make up the Partnership Advisory Council (PAC).
The PAC determines the community environmental priorities of the Carrot River Watershed. These include improving water quality, increasing buffer strips around trees and riparian areas, invasive weed control, wetland retention, wildlife habitat for pollinators and other wildlife species and responsible or reduced grazing of riparian areas.
The ALUS program is a payment-for-ecosystem services model which allows society to recognize the benefits which are provided to nature because of the stewardship of farmers and ranchers. Farmers and ranchers are stewards of the land, and they are making decisions daily that benefit the environment, their communities and future generations. They are paid for the additional ecosystem services produced because of their management change via cost-shared establishment expenses and annual payments.
The goal of the ALUS-SAW Carrot River Watershed Community is to help farmers and ranchers develop projects that generate ecosystem services and build economic and environmental resilience. Outcomes generated by these projects will include improved water quality and quantity through the implementation of buffer strips and wetland enhancements, invasive weed control, improved riparian health and the addition of wildlife
habitat for waterfowl and pollinators. There are two major streams of focus for the ALUS program.
One stream of the program focuses on marginal or ecologically sensitive areas that need to be managed differently to produce nature’s benefits that will target the community priorities identified by the PAC. Farmers and ranchers who choose to participate in the ALUS program have flexible agreements that suit their operation. Projects can include perennial forage conversions, enhanced riparian areas, shelterbelt/tree plantings and exclusion fencing along waterways with the option for an alternative watering system. Payments are available to support project establishment costs as well as annual payments to help with project maintenance. A contract is typically 5 years in length.
Another stream of ALUS programming is called the Growing Roots Program. The goal of this program is to introduce farmers and ranchers to the principles of regenerative agriculture. The Growing Roots Program provides financial support for two years of regenerative agriculture practices and learning opportunities through workshops and field days. Projects will incorporate the 6 core principles of regenerative agriculture: understanding the context of your operation, minimizing soil disturbance, maximizing crop diversity, keeping the soil covered, maintaining a living root year-round and integrating livestock. A contract is typically 2 years in length.
Across Canada, ALUS can be found in 6 provinces. As of March 31, 2024, there are 39 active communities, 1761 participants enrolled, and 52,645 acres enrolled. The program also includes 41,719 acres of wetland ecosystems, 42,507 acres of pollinator habitat and 9474 reforested acres.
Locally, the ALUS-SAW Carrot River Watershed, has implemented funding for 2 perennial forage conversion projects, 3 exclusion fencing projects and 3 Growing Roots projects in 2024. There was a total of 5 participants and approximately 430 acres enrolled in the program for our first year.
The ALUS-SAW Carrot River Watershed community is currently accepting project proposals from farmers and ranchers for the 2025 funding year. The deadline for these proposals is March 31, 2025. If you are interested in learning more about the program would like to submit a project proposal, please contact our program coordinator Jennifer Redekop at (306) 321-7757 or by email at j.redekop@saskwatersheds.ca
ALUS Marginal cropland to perennial forage conversion project near Peesane, SK
TOURING THE EPCOR
WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT IN REGINA
On February 28, 2024, the Southeast Watershed District Advisory Committee (SE DAC) toured the City of Regina’s EPCOR Wastewater Treatment Plant to learn about the process of treating wastewater.
The Wastewater Treatment Plant is owned by the City of Regina and operated by EPCOR. The plant was expanded and upgraded in 2017. Over 25 billion litres of wastewater are treated by the facility each year. Before the upgrades to the plant the treatment process used lagoons and took 31 days from start to finish. Today the total process time takes between 10 and 17 hours.
The DAC listened to a presentation on the different steps and components involved in treating wastewater in Regina. Regina’s Wastewater Treatment system has several main components. Grit and non-organic materials are removed from the water. Solids or sludge are treated with anaerobic digesters and a centrifuge until most of the water content is removed from the material. The remaining solid material is hauled to the landfill.
The 2017 upgrade of the plant introduced Bioreactors to the treatment system. Bioreactors use bacteria to remove nutrients (Nitrogen and Phosphorus) from the water. Removing these biological nutrients helps water quality downstream of the plant. After the liquid moves through the bioreactor stage it is treated with secondary clarifiers and Ultra-Violet lights for disinfection before the water (effluent) is released into Wascana Creek.
The tour allowed the DAC members to see where each stage of the process occurred in the plant and gain a greater understanding of the water treatment process and its relationship to our watersheds.
SAW ENHANCES HABITAT FOR FISH SPECIES AT RISK IN SOUTHWEST SASKATCHEWAN
The Plains Sucker (Pantosteus jordani) is a species of fish native to southwest Saskatchewan. Although abundance varies across their range in Saskatchewan, Plains Sucker are currently listed on the Species at Risk Act as Threatened due to habitat loss and degradation.
One way to preserve Plains Sucker populations is through habitat enhancement projects such as spawning riffles, streambank stabilization, or the removal of barriers to fish migration. These projects can be highly beneficial for Plains Sucker, as they enable successful spawning and migration, and improve overall habitat health for the species.
In February 2025, SAW used funding provided by Fisheries and Oceans Canada to remove a barrier to Plains Sucker migration in Pine Cree Park near Eastend, Saskatchewan. In its place, SAW installed a cobble spawning riffle to enhance habitat for Plains Sucker. SAW would like to thank the board of Pine Cree Park, the Water Security Agency, Earth Force Enterprises, and Montrose Environmental for their collaboration and assistance on this project.
With funding provided by Fisheries and Oceans Canada for the 2025 fiscal year, SAW will implement a second spawning riffle for Plains Sucker in Southwest Saskatchewan. For more information on this project, please email r.rutko@ saskwatersheds.ca or call 306-774-2136.
City of Regina's Wastewater Treatment Plant (AECON, 2025)
Riffle Construction Location at Pine Cree Park (February 2025)
DISTRICT ADVISORY COMMITTEE UPDATES
The latest round of District Advisory Committee (DAC) meetings wrapped up on February 28, 2025. The Northeast (NE) DAC was held on January 22 in Tisdale, the Southwest (SW) DAC was held on February 12 in Shaunavon, the Northwest (NW) DAC on February 25 in Saskatoon, and the Southeast (SE) DAC on February 28 in Regina.
We had presentations from Lee Hicks (Weyerhauser) on Operational Planning and Natural Forest Patterns and Gwen Machnee on Suncrest College’s Applied Research Program at the NE DAC. We had a presentation from Lorelei Ford (Water Security Agency) on private drinking water wells within Saskatchewan at the SW DAC. The SE DAC had the opportunity to tour the City of Regina’s Waste Water Treatment Plant.
SAW programming updates were provided for the following programs, by watershed district:
• Prairie Watersheds Climate Program (PWCP)
• Water Stewardship for a Changing Climate (CCAP)
• Aquatic Invasive Mussels Monitoring
• Caring for our Watersheds
• Drought Preparedness Planning
• Tree for Life
• Rural Water Testing (SW District)
• Habitat Restoration and Enhancement (SW District)
• Applying a Landscape Approach to Improve Biodiversity (NW District)
• ALUS – Carrot River Watershed (NE District)
• Hopkins Lake Floating Treatment Wetland Project (NE District)
Key issues and concerns identified throughout the district meetings included the continued need for education and communication about watersheds, water resources and water quality; youth engagement; riparian health management; lake stewardship management planning; landfills and waste management, source water protection planning; agricultural water management planning; and understanding current and future infrastructure and water management.
The next round of DAC meetings will begin in April. If you have any questions please reach out to the Director of Water Resources, Samantha Kerr (s.kerr@saskwatersheds.ca).
SAW RELEASES CLIMATE ADAPTATION PLANS FOR THE NORTHWEST, NORTHEAST, AND SOUTHEAST DISTRICTS
SAW, with support from Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), is continuing to develop watershed-based climate adaptation plans for Saskatchewan. We have completed the climate adaptation plans for the Northwest and Northeast Districts, and the Southeast District plan will be available this spring!
Planning for the Southwest Watershed District has started. SAW will be hosting our first community engagement meeting in April. We are looking forward to hearing from local producers, stakeholders, industry leaders, and other citizens within the district to develop a climate adaptation plan that addresses specific concerns related to climate change, climate variability and extreme events - for those who work, live and play within the Southwest Watershed District.
If you are interested in attending the Southwest Watershed District community engagement meetings or have any questions related to the project, please contact Samantha at ccap@saskwatersheds.ca . For more information, please click the link below.
Map of SAW’s Southwest Watershed District
SAW HOSTS LANDOWNER ENGAGEMENT WORKSHOP
On March 6, 2025, SAW hosted a landowner engagement workshop in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, on off-site watering as part of the Applying a Landscape Approach to Improve Biodiversity project, which is funded by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). Part of the project deliverables include the establishment of ecobuffer shelterbelts in riparian areas and implementing offsite watering sites within the North Saskatchewan River Watershed, as well as educational workshops about best management practices (BMPs), such as offsite watering systems, that improve habitat.
The workshop began with information on SAW programming and funding opportunities, and specific information on cover crops, rotational grazing, and solar watering systems from Annette Smith. Jennifer Hayden from Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture spoke about the importance of water quality and quantity with respect to livestock health, how to conduct water testing and how to interpret the test results, as well as the potential health risks to common water problems within the area, such as high salts and algae growth, and the way to mitigate the problems. Ethan Bender from Kelln Solar discussed the different types of solar water systems that are available, which pumps are better suited for each project, different types of watering troughs, and why water quality is important to livestock health. The workshop concluded with a presentation from Jeremy Brown who spoke on materials required to be purchased to install an offsite watering system, some of the problems you can encounter and the ways to fix any issues, the economics with using available funding opportunities for producer operations, and the different trail
cams and apps that can be used to give you peace of mind that the water system is working.
SAW would like to thank Pensons Feed & Pet Supply for sponsoring the snacks and beverages for the workshop participants, as well as the participants who travelled for an afternoon of valuable learning and discussion!
SAW has funding available for landowners who would like to install offsite watering systems within the North Saskatchewan River Watershed! If you are interested in the program, please contact info@saskwatersheds.ca or 306-541-9902 for more information about the program and eligibility requirements.
Watershed Wonder Kits are SAW’s core educational awareness program for youth and public across Saskatchewan. The kits are an educational resource for teachers to incorporate into their lesson planning, for families that are homeschooling, for club activities, nature-based school programs, and outdoor camps. Each kit has been designed to include a variety of activities that are engaging, educational, fun, completely unique, and connect to Saskatchewan’s Education Curriculum!
There are 4 different kits to choose from: My Watershed and Me, Adventure Awaits Backpacks, Getting Our Feet Wet, and Beaver Trails and Cattails.
Click the link below for more information or email education@saskwatersheds.ca to borrow a kit.
WELCOME TO THE TEAM
HOLLY BROWNLEE , EXECUTIVE COORDINATOR
Hello! My name is Holly, and I started working with SAW at the end of February as the new Executive Coordinator. I grew up with five siblings on a mixed farm south of Moose Jaw and my husband and I own a small farm southeast of Moose Jaw, so I truly understand the importance of a clean, healthy water supply. We spent 18 years in Calgary but always knew Moose Jaw would call us back.
With over twenty-five years of office management and administration experience, I’ve had the unique opportunity to work across two diverse fields: rodeo and post-secondary education. My background allows me to bring a wealth of organizational expertise and adaptability to my role, and I’m always eager to apply my skills in new and dynamic ways.
When I’m not at work, you can find me indulging in my passion for photography, spending quality time at the farm, or enjoying the company of my family and my cat, the “Taz”-manian devil!
I’m excited to be part of a company that’s deeply involved in impactful initiatives throughout the province and look forward to contributing to the meaningful work we do together.
DANICA BRAITHWAITE , WATER RESOURCE COORDINATOR
Hi there! My name is Danica Braithwaite, and I joined SAW at the end of February as a Water Resource Coordinator. I grew up on a farm near Fort Qu’Appelle, then lived a few years in Regina, and then last fall – missing small-town living – I moved to Southey where I live with my partner, six-month old puppy, and two cats.
My educational background is in Geography, specifically Geographic Information Sciences (GIS). I obtained my certificate in GIS from Saskatchewan Polytechnic, then went to the University of Regina where I received my Bachelor of Geography in GIS. Since graduating a little over a year ago, I’ve worked for the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment where I did geomatics and data management.
In my spare time I enjoy reading, curling, and, when the weather is nice, spending time outdoors gardening, fishing, and canoeing. I’m excited to be joining the SAW team and having the opportunity to do meaningful work protecting Saskatchewan’s water resources!
RESPONSIBLE LAKE RECREATION
Recreation such as swimming, boating, and fishing are staples of Saskatchewan living, and lakes provide these opportunities for thousands of users annually. However, as our population grows, the demand for lake recreation increases, creating challenges for lake health. By working as a community, we can implement lake stewardship best management practices that reduce our impact on lakes and ensure they remain healthy and safe for everyone to enjoy. How can recreation affect lakes?
Boating
• Unnatural wave action from watercraft can cause bank erosion, especially within 15 meters of shore.
• Leaks or spills when fueling watercraft or offloading wastewater can contaminate lakes and reduce water quality.
• Watercraft can transport aquatic invasive species from one lake to another, potentially causing irreparable damage to water quality, shorelines, ecosystems, and infrastructure.
Fishing & Camping
• Over-harvest of fish can damage populations or even extirpate the species from a lake.
• Pollution from fishing or camping including line, ropes, buoys, plastics, cans, glass, and other general waste can harm wildlife and deteriorate water quality.
How can you help? Implementing best management practices that reduce our impact on lakes during recreational activities can keep lakes healthy. Do your part and responsibly enjoy our lakes by:
• Keeping boat speeds under 10 km/hour when within 15 meters of shore to keep wakes small and limit erosion.
• Refueling or offloading waste from watercraft away from the water and cleaning up any gas, oil, or wastewater spills.
• Using the clean, drain, dry technique for watercraft and equipment to prevent the spread of harmful aquatic invasive species.
• Being a responsible angler that follows fisheries regulations and handles fish with care.
• Ensuring waste from fishing, camping, and boating trips is not thrown in the lake and is instead packed out and properly disposed.
For more information, please click the link below or call (306) 541-9902.
OFFICE LOCATIONS
Our office locations are open Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 4 PM (closed 12 PM - 1 PM).
