Where Water, Wellness & Communities Meet
IN THIS ISSUE:
Discover the benefits of cover cropping for improving soil health, reducing erosion, and enhancing sustainability.
Guidance on selecting native tree species suited to Saskatchewan’s unique soil and climate conditions for successful eco-buffer planting.
MAY 2025
May 22 - Tree for Life Sales End
May 28-29 - Back to the Field: Wetlands and Waterfowl, Stoughton
JUNE 2025
June 3 - Southwest DAC, AAFC, Swift Current
June 8-10 - Saskatchewan Stockgrowers Association Conference and AGM, Moose Jaw Exhibition Convention Centre
June 17-18 - Climate West Forum, Saskatoon
June 23 - Southeast DAC, Sleep Inn Regina East, Emerald Park
June 27 - Southwest CCAP Meeting, Swift Current
JULY 2025
July 10 - Swift Current Research and Development Centre Open House
July 15-17 - Ag in Motion, Langham Range Road 3083 at Hwy. 16
THE BENEFITS OF COVER CROPPING
Saskatchewan, with its vast agricultural landscapes and challenging prairie climate, is a cornerstone of Canada’s agriculture industry. As producers seek methods to improve soil health and productivity, cover cropping has emerged as an increasingly valuable practice. Cover crops — non-cash crops planted primarily to manage soil health, erosion, and biodiversity — offer numerous benefits particularly well-suited to Saskatchewan’s environment and cropping systems.
1. Soil Health and Organic Matter: One of the most significant benefits of cover cropping in Saskatchewan is the improvement of soil structure and organic matter content. Cover crops, such as legumes (e.g., clover or vetch) or grasses (e.g., rye or oats), help add organic residues to the soil when they decompose. This process boosts microbial activity, improves nutrient cycling, and enhances the soil’s ability to retain water—critical factors in a province that frequently experiences dry spells.
2. Erosion Control and Water Retention: Cover crops establish root systems that anchor the soil and provide a protective canopy, reducing the impact of heavy rain events and subsequent runoff. This conserves soil but also helps retain moisture in the field, which is essential for successful crop production in dryland farming systems.
3. Weed and Pest Suppression: Cover crops can serve as a natural weed management strategy. Species like cereal rye or buckwheat establish quickly and out-compete many common weeds for light, space, and nutrients. In Saskatchewan, where herbicide resistance is an emerging concern, integrating cover crops can reduce dependence on chemical weed control. Some cover crops also have allelopathic properties— releasing chemicals that inhibit weed germination—and can disrupt pest life cycles by providing habitat for beneficial insects or interfering with pest breeding.
4. Nitrogen Fixation and Nutrient Management: Legumes in cover crop blends, such as peas or alfalfa, can fix atmospheric nitrogen into the soil, reducing the need for synthetic nitrogen fertilizers. Following a legume cover crop with a cereal cash crop can result in improved yields and reduced input costs. Moreover, deep-rooted cover crops can retrieve nutrients from deeper soil layers, making them available to subsequent crops.
5. Biodiversity and Pollinator Support: Adding cover crops to rotations enhances biodiversity in agricultural systems. Mixed species cover crops provide habitat and food sources for pollinators, birds, and soil organisms. This ecological diversification can contribute to greater system resilience, helping farms adapt to climate variability and pest pressures.
While cover cropping in Saskatchewan requires careful planning, it offers a numerous agronomic and environmental benefits. By improving soil health, reducing erosion, managing weeds, and enhancing biodiversity, cover crops can play a pivotal role in building more sustainable and resilient agricultural systems across the province
The Saskatchewan Association of Watersheds supports the adoption of cover cropping beneficial management practices through the Saskatchewan Watershed Environmental Agriculture Program (SWEAP). Applicants will work directly with SAW’s AgriEnvironmental Coordinators to apply to SWEAP. Funding for this project has been provided by Agriculture and Agri-food Canada through the Agriculture Climate Solutions- On Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF). For further information, please click the link below.
PLANTING NATIVE TREE SPECIES AND GROWING CONDITIONS IN SASKATCHEWAN
When planning to plant trees, such as in an ecological buffer, thorough research should be done to ensure the trees you are planting will not only survive but thrive. With numerous tree species available, selecting the right tree for your space can be an intimidating task. However, it is typically recommended that native plant species be chosen. Not only do native trees improve air quality and support wildlife, they are also adapted to growing conditions within Saskatchewan, meaning they are more likely to survive and require less maintenance.
Growing conditions, or ecological factors, considered when choosing the right tree for your space include soil, moisture, light, and climate. Soil is the ground in which the tree grows and has many properties, with the most important for trees being structure, texture, and pH. Structure refers to the aggregation of soil particles, texture refers to the proportion of sand, silt, and clay, and pH refers to whether the soil is acidic or alkaline. These three properties affect root growth, water retention, and
nutrient availability. Moisture is another major influence and is the amount of water available to the tree, which includes precipitation and soil moisture. Although precipitation is necessary, soil moisture controls how much water is available to plants and trees. Soil moisture depends on the texture of the soil, where soils containing clay are better at retaining moisture than sandy soils, where water quickly drains through. Light and climate are other key factors. Light is necessary for photosynthesis, which converts sunlight into usable energy, and climate governs temperature extremes, which can stress trees and compromise their growth.
There are many trees native to Saskatchewan, each adapted to their own unique growing conditions. Some commonly grown native tree species of Saskatchewan that soon-to-be planters are recommended include species such as Manitoba maple, white spruce, green ash, balsam poplar, trembling aspen, and plains cottonwood.
SAW has funding available for landowners who would like to install eco-buffer shelterbelts 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.
For more information about Eco-Buffers, please click the link below.
CLIMATE ADAPTATION PLANS AND PLANNING UNDERWAY
With support from Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), SAW has completed climate adaptation plans in Saskatchewan for the Northwest, Northeast, and Southeast Watershed Districts. The completed plans can be accessed here:
CARING FOR OUR WATERSHEDS TOP 10 FINALIST COMPETITION 2025
On May 3, 2025, SAW held the Nutrien Caring For Our Watersheds Top 10 Finalist Competition in Saskatoon. Students presented their proposals that answered the following question “What can you do to improve your watershed?” Students had to identify an issue affecting their own watershed, develop a realistic solution, design a budget and describe how their idea connects to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In the upcoming year, SAW will continue to develop climate adaptation plans. Three plans are underway: the Southwest and North Watershed Districts, as well as the provincial-wide plan.
Planning for the Southwest Watershed District community engagement meeting is in progress. The first meeting is scheduled for June in Swift Current. Community engagement meetings are a key component in developing climate adaptation plans, allowing local producers, stakeholders, industry leaders, and other citizens to address specific concerns related to climate change, climate variability and extreme events within their district. SAW is looking forward to seeing you in Swift Current – for those who work, live and play in 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.
Each student or group gave a five-minute presentation on their proposal in front of a panel of five judges, their fellow competitors and guests. This year there were more than 220 submitted proposals with over 400 students participating. Each of the top 10 finalists receive a cash prize plus a matching amount for their school or club. Along with the cash prizes, Nutrien also provides up to $10, 000 to help finalists implement their projects.
SAW would like to Congratulate Brooklyn Moore from Greenall High School for winning 1st place with her project “Fighting Food Waste – Filling Fridges”. Thank you to all the students, teachers, volunteers, and judges who participated in this year’s Caring For Our Watersheds contest!
WELCOME TO THE TEAM
MATHIEU HILLYARD , AGRI-ENVIRONMENTAL WATERSHED COORDINATOR
Hi, my name is Mathieu, and I’m excited to have recently joined SAW as an Agri-Environmental Watershed Coordinator. I grew up in Sarnia, Ontario and hold a Biology degree from Carleton University in Ottawa.
Over the past two years, I worked with the Assiniboine West Watershed District in Manitoba as a GIS Technician, where I coordinated the Shallow Wetland Incentive Program under the GROW initiative, helping protect Class 1 and 2 wetlands from drainage and infill. Prior to that, I served as a Park Interpreter at Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve in Newfoundland, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for hosting the world’s oldest known animal fossils.
Outside of work, I’m passionate about experimenting with growing perennial vegetable polycultures, a hands-on way to explore plant community dynamics and food security. I’m especially excited to be doing more of this now that I’ve relocated to Saskatoon, where I’ll be working remotely as part of the SAW team.
I’m thrilled to contribute to a more resilient and biodiverse future through my work with SAW going forward.
HANNAH DE MARS , AGRI-ENVIRONMENTAL WATERSHED COORDINATOR
My name is Hannah, and I’m an Agri-environmental Coordinator in the Southwest District. I hold a diploma in AgriBusiness from the University of Saskatchewan and have been working in the agriculture industry for the past five years.
I grew up on a cow-calf ranch near Webb, Saskatchewan, and now live in Val Marie with my husband, where we raise cattle of our own. Through both my upbringing and work experience, I’ve built a well-rounded background in crop production and livestock management.
I am excited to bring that experience and my passion for agriculture into this role. I look forward to supporting Saskatchewan’s farmers and ranchers with tools and resources to help them succeed. I am especially looking forward to getting out in the district, connecting with producers, and being a helpful resource wherever I can.
PREVENTING AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES TO KEEP OUR LAKES HEALTHY
Healthy Saskatchewan lakes provide extensive ecological, cultural, and economic benefits. For example, Saskatchewan lakes provide habitat for many wildlife species, as well as recreational opportunities such as boating and angling for thousands of users annually. Lakes in Saskatchewan should be maintained in the healthiest state possible to ensure these benefits exist for generations to come. To keep Saskatchewan lakes healthy, lake stewardship practices such as preventing or monitoring for aquatic invasive species can be used.
Preventing Aquatic Invasive Species:
Aquatic invasive species can damage ecosystems and infrastructure in lakes, causing irreparable ecological and economic harm. Accordingly, aquatic invasive species must be prevented to maintain lake health. Lake users are encouraged to prevent the transfer of aquatic invasive species by:
• Using the clean, drain, dry technique on watercraft, fishing gear, swimming items, and non-permanent infrastructure such as docks, boat rails, or slides.
• Stopping at mandatory watercraft inspection stations when transporting vessels across provincial or international jurisdictions.
• Refraining from releasing pets such as goldfish, koi fish, or turtles into lakes.
Monitoring for Aquatic Invasive Species:
Prevention of aquatic invasive species may not always be possible. Therefore, monitoring for the presence of new aquatic invasive species or the spread of aquatic invasive species at confirmed sites can be key for maintaining lake health. Resort communities, Indigenous communities, industrial operations, non-government organizations, and government agencies are encouraged to collaborate on monitoring programs for species that are at highrisk of being transferred among lakes, such as Zebra Mussels.
For more information, please click the link below or call (306) 541-9902.
THE BIGMOUTH BUFFALO: A LONG-LIVED FRESHWATER FISH
Gary Swaresty (www.roughfish.com)
Imagine a fish older than Canada itself: the Bigmouth Buffalo (Ictiobus cyprinellus). This freshwater fish is found in Saskatchewan’s Qu’Appelle River system and is one of the longest living fish species in the world, as some individuals have been documented at an astounding 127 years old! These ancient giants can grow up to 4 feet long and weigh up to 80 pounds. As filter feeders, they use their unique forwardfacing mouths to consume plankton, playing a crucial role in maintaining water quality.
Despite their extraordinary longevity and adaptability, bigmouth buffalo populations have declined in Saskatchewan since the mid-20th century. Habitat changes such as dams disrupting migration to spawning grounds and competition from invasive species like Common Carp have contributed to their decline. Recognizing their vulnerability, the species has been listed as “special concern” under the Species at Risk Act.
Conservation efforts are underway to protect these incredible fish. With funding provided by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, SAW will deliver projects focused on assessing current population abundance and restoring and enhancing habitat to support Bigmouth Buffalo survival. These projects can protect this native fish species for generations to come.
For more information on SAW’s Fish Species at Risk Program, please visit click the link below.
Our office locations are open Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 4 PM (closed 12 PM - 1 PM).
HEAD OFFICE
300B - 99 Diefenbaker Dr., Moose Jaw, SK
SOUTHWEST DISTRICT OFFICE
1 Airport Road, Swift Current, SK
MAILING ADDRESS
Box 1177, Moose Jaw, SK, S6H 4P9
Sales End on May 22nd, 2025