May 28, 2003

SaskEnergy Helps Moose Jaw Students
 Keep Burrowing Owl Centre Open

Five Moose Jaw students today received a helping hand with their efforts to keep the Burrowing Owl Interpretive Centre open.

Labour Minister and Moose Jaw Wakamow MLA Deb Higgins, on behalf of Crown Investments Corporation Minister Maynard Sonntag, presented the students with a $1,000 cheque from SaskEnergy.

Stephanie Montpetit, Andrea Fenton, Kandice Hebert, Keaton Doig and Valerie Paquette are in Grade 6 at École St. Margaret in Moose Jaw. The students began a fundraising campaign when they heard the Burrowing Owl Interpretive Centre was in danger of closing because of financial difficulties.

"We are incredibly proud of our students," said Madame Lorelae Lemaire, vice-principal of École St. Margaret. "It's inspiring to see these young minds and hearts at work for something they believe in. They have really made a difference!"

The students found out about the burrowing owl conservation efforts through an outreach education program funded by SaskEnergy. The outreach program involves employees from the Burrowing Owl Interpretive Centre taking owls into schools and communities to educate people about the burrowing owl and efforts being made to keep the species from extinction.

"SaskEnergy has been a longtime supporter of the Burrowing Owl Interpretive Centre and is committed to maintaining the Centre and its educational programs," said Minister Higgins. "The centre fulfills an important function, in Moose Jaw and Saskatchewan and we're pleased to be able to help these young people in their efforts to ensure the message about preserving the owls is heard by other students for many more years to come."

The Burrowing Owl Interpretive Centre has experienced financial difficulties that may force it to close its doors by June 15, 2003. The centre plays an important role as a tourism/conservation centre and educates thousands of visitors each year.

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