Importance of Southwest Sandhills highlighted during school tour

Students from the Grade 6 class at Leader Composite School had the opportunity to learn firsthand about the importance of preserving Saskatchewan’s Southwest Sandhills.

Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) hosted a tour of the Sandhills Cave Pasture, which allowed the students to explore the area, discovering the many animals, insects and plants that call it home. The tour was made possible through SaskEnergy’s sponsorship of NCC, which also strives to engage youth and create understanding and awareness of this important environmental area.

“We had a wonderful time out at Cave Pasture with the students from Leader. They were so keen, enthusiastic, and learned lots,” says Kayla Burak, NCC’s Engagement Manager.

Three members of SaskEnergy’s Environment & Sustainability team also joined the students on the tour.

Employee Ryan Mayes says being able to experience the tour with the students added to the overall experience.

“They added a pile of youthful energy, were very engaged in taking part in the exercises and it was neat to hear the questions, as well as the knowledge, some of students had on prairie preservation and its importance,” he says.

The tour included a day full of activities that taught the students about the different animals, insects and plants that make up the Sandhills Cave Pasture, which is located near Swift Current. The group hiked within viewing distance of a raised nesting platform, installed by NCC, which has become home to the nest of a pair of ferruginous hawks — Saskatchewan’s largest hawk species.

At the end of the tour, Nature Therapy Guide Jacquie Bolton led the group through a series of activities to better connect with nature and explained the positive health related benefits nature can have.

“The tour provided a proper understanding of the importance of preserving native prairie grasslands. Wildlife and species at risk make these prairie landscapes their home and the complex biodiversity in them is important to their preservation and survival,” says Ryan.

Starting in 2021, SaskEnergy has provided support to NCC’s work to conserve the Southwest Sandhills, through a sponsorship commitment of $125,000 over a five-year period. Since 1998, SaskEnergy has committed more than $600,000 in funds and in-kind contributions to NCC.

“Our funding supports stewardship, conservation planning, and partnerships that help sustain the unique species and habitats found in the Southwest Sandhills of Saskatchewan,” says Allix Schweitzer, SaskEnergy's Supervisor of Community Engagement. “Protecting these habitats aligns with SaskEnergy’s commitment to environmental stewardship.”

The work being done by NCC to preserve the Sandhills, with support from SaskEnergy, was evident during a quiet moment on the tour.

“When you stop and really pay attention to the finer details in the prairie landscape, you truly realize there is much more to be observed than at first glance,” Ryan says. “Stopping, being still and silent, you hear the many native songbirds, insects and animals it reminds you to slow down, take a breath and enjoy nature.”