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Ducks Unlimited Canada Contributes to Environmental Planning With First Nations in Saskatchewan 
August 29, 2002 - The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) will perform agricultural environmental assessments of 15 Saskatchewan First Nations and develop environmental management plans with six of those First Nations.
"Environmental Planning With First Nations in Saskatchewan" is a joint project led by FSIN in partnership with Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) and the Agricultural Environmental Stewardship Initiative (AESI) which is delivered through the Canadian Adaptation and Rural Development in Saskatchewan (CARDS) Committee. FSIN has designated Ken Bear, P.Ag. as the project coordinator. DUC is providing financial assistance and expertise in land management for maintaining water quality and wildlife habitat. AESI is contributing funds to the project under its "Soil Health" program area; funding for AESI is provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
CARDS Chair, Louis Hradecki, says, "The CARDS Committee is pleased to provide funds from the Agricultural Environmental Stewardship Initiative to assist FSIN and DUC in this project which aims to ensure environmental sustainability of First Nations agricultural lands for years to come."
The project will have two phases. Phase One will provide each of the 15 First Nations with an inventory of soil health, wetland distribution and habitat for waterfowl, ungulates and upland game birds on over 700,000 acres of land. They will receive soil and wildlife capability maps created with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data.
The information collected in Phase One will then be used in Phase Two to develop an environmental plan for six First Nations, representing approximately 200,000 acres. The plans will focus on land use practices that will address soil and water erosion, water quality and conservation of wildlife. This could include conversion of marginal land, erosion control, grassing waterways to improve water quality and developing business opportunities that will not harm the local environment.
FSIN Vice-Chief Guy Lonechild says, "The partnership that we have struck with AESI and Ducks Unlimited Canada will help to promote greater First Nations capacity and sustainability in the area of economic development, particularly in the agriculture sector."
Ducks Unlimited Canada will assist the First Nations in understanding the potential of their lands for wildlife habitat. DUC staff will provide recommendations on how to maintain water quality and wildlife as part of the long-term agricultural plans for these lands.
"This project closely parallels our own landscape approach to habitat conservation," said Keith LePoudre, Manager of Field Operations in DUC's Saskatoon office. "We are very pleased to be working with the FSIN. Together we can work toward sustaining waterfowl and other wildlife diversity on First Nations lands."
For over 53 years, the FSIN has served to protect and implement treaties on behalf of the First Nations people of Saskatchewan. It represents 73 Saskatchewan First Nations, 10 Tribal Councils and nine provincial institutes. The project announced today is part of a larger First Nations Agriculture Strategy for Saskatchewan, developed by the FSIN.
Ducks Unlimited Canada conserves, restores and manages wetlands and associated habitats for North America's waterfowl. These habitats also benefit other wildlife and people. With a 60-year history of working in Canada and with more than 6,500 projects nationwide, Ducks Unlimited Canada is the country's most trusted and respected conservation company.
The Agricultural Environmental Stewardship Initiative (AESI), announced in 2000, is a $10 million, three-year program funded through the Government of Canada's CARD fund. The CARDS Committee received $990,000 from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to deliver the Agricultural Environmental Stewardship Initiative (AESI) program in Saskatchewan.
