Upcoming Events

Native Prairie Speaker Series

Upcoming Speaker Series Presentations

Monthly Webinar Series

Every month, PCAP hosts a Native Prairie Speaker Series Webinar about species at risk or prairie conservation. These live broadcasts can be watched from any location for free. Webinars are recorded and uploaded to the PCAP YouTube channel.

Webinar: Woody Plant Encroachment in the Aspen Parkland Ecoregion

August 25, 2026 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

August Native Prairie Speaker Series – Webinar

Woody Plant Encroachment in the Aspen Parkland Ecoregion

Speaker: Andrew Williams, Masters of Science Student, University of Saskatchewan

Register Free: https://shorturl.at/d180M or https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_oPEs6-56S9GiLgIawCW3UQ (Best for government computers)

More Information about our August Webinar

Hosted by: Caitlin Mroz-Sailer, Stewardship Coordinator, Prairie Conservation Action Plan

Presenting Sponsors: Canadian Forage and Grasslands Association, North American Helium, Pembina, Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association and SaskTel

This webinar is in conjunction with Transboundary Grassland Partnership – Webinar, Saskatchewan Edition

About this Webinar:

Woody encroachment is a significant range management issue in western Canada. Here we examine the impact of woody encroachment on forage quality and quantity in the Aspen Parkland ecoregion of Saskatchewan, Canada by estimating the rate of scale of woody plant encroachment over the last 40 years in a representative Aspen Parkland pasture, and by quantifying the effects of increasing woody cover on forage production and quality. Forage production declined with increasing tree cover, with a 10% increase in tree cover resulting in a loss of approximately 80 kg of grass production and 58 kg of forb production per hectare. Shrub cover did not impact forage production, but forage quality declined with increasing shrub cover. The current extent of woody plant cover on the pasture, and changes over time, were estimated using remote sensing methods. Estimates for 2024 using high-resolution (10 m) Sentinel imagery are that 16.93% (7.55 km2) of Foam Lake pasture has tree cover, and an additional 7.87% (3.51 km2) of Foam Lake pasture has shrub cover. Tree cover was estimated from historical Landsat imagery to be 27.07% in 1985, increasing to 32.34% in 2009 and followed by a drop to 18.75% in 2024. While woody cover on this pasture is currently relatively stable, further research is needed to assess longer-term historical trends in cover.

Deep Roots: The Story of Alberta’s Grasslands

September 29, 2026 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

September Native Prairie Speaker Series Webinar

Deep Roots: The Story of Alberta’s Grasslands

Speaker: Ellie Annett, Alberta Prairie Conservation Forum

More Information about our September Webinar

About this Webinar:

Deep Roots: The Story of Alberta’s Grasslands is an engaging exploration of Alberta’s native grasslands, the species that depend on them, and the challenges these ecosystems face today. Through stories, wildlife, and conservation examples, the presentation highlights why grasslands matter, how they are being lost, and the importance of increasing awareness and stewardship to help ensure their future.

About the Speaker:

Ellie Annett is an educator and advocate for environmental conservation and stewardship. Born and raised on the grasslands, she is committed to fostering meaningful connections between people and the land through engaging and accessible learning experiences.

Register Free: https://shorturl.at/ITpM7 or for government computers: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7vxVm2gWRVqAMISGCXEP_A

Fostering Community, Collaboration, and Coexistence in the Sturgeon River Plains Bison Herd’s Stewardship

October 6, 2026 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

October Native Prairie Speaker Series – Webinar

Fostering Community, Collaboration, and Coexistence in the Sturgeon River Plains Bison Herd’s Stewardship

Register Free: https://shorturl.at/NChrW or https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_hQj55kYMQACv5WoxxWqqnQ (Best for government computers)

More Information about our October Webinar

About this Webinar:
Saskatchewan was once home to multitudes of plains bison, roaming wild and free across this prairie province’s native grasslands. But did you know that a wild herd of plains bison still calls this province home? One of only two wild, unfenced and free-roaming plains bison herds within this species’ original Canadian range, the Sturgeon River plains bison herd (SRPBH) inhabits the sedge meadows and fescue grasslands of southwestern Prince Albert National Park (PANP). The SRPBH plays an important ecological and cultural role in this landscape and is valued by many individuals and groups, with particular significance for local First Nations and Métis communities. However, the herd is also the source of ongoing conflict. Privately owned agricultural landscapes border the southwestern boundary of PANP – a tempting buffet for an unfenced herd of wild plains bison. The SRPBH seasonally forages in these park-adjacent lands, creating jurisdictional governance complexities and impacting local livelihoods; conflict persists despite official (and unofficial) mitigation efforts. Beyond the social and cultural implications of this herd’s presence, there are concerns over the SRPBH’s future viability since their population has declined by 50%. In this talk Mia Nemeth will discuss how (under the supervision of Dr. Clinton Westman) she gained insight into the diverse perspectives, interests, and concerns influencing the SRPBH’s stewardship. By overviewing her numerous land-based encounters, in-depth interviews, informal conversations, and the quantitative survey used, she aims to emphasize local perspectives and community insights and highlight how this research can help ensure that future collaborative stewardship is effective, representative, and reconciliation minded.

About the Speaker:
Mia Nemeth is an Environmental Anthropology graduate student at the University of Saskatchewan. She focused her undergraduate studies on environmental anthropology and multispecies issues, driven by a deep connection to, and curiosity for, wildlife and the environments they call home. Throughout her academic journey, and experiences working in applied conservation and nature interpretation, she became increasingly interested in how social and cultural factors shape people’s relationships to the natural world, and how these perspectives influence environmental stewardship. She feels fortunate to be able to apply her experiences and passion for wildlife conservation to her master’s research in her home province of Saskatchewan. She lives in Saskatoon with her partner Éric and their cat Krickett (who chirps like a cricket).

Native Prairie Speaker Series Webinar - Gold Sponsors

Past Speaker Series Presentations and Webinar Recordings

Webinar: Every Observation Counts: How You Can Help Document Saskatchewan’s Biodiversity

July 29, 2026 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

July Native Priaire Speaker Series – Webinar

Webinar: Every Observation Counts: How You Can Help Document Saskatchewan’s Biodiversity

Wednesday July 29th, 2026 at 12:00pm MT

Speakers: Andrea Benville and Erin Swerdfeger, Saskatchewan Conservation Data Centre, Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment

Register Free: https://shorturl.at/KC33e or https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_aBKlDkhpTYCOHMQ9dOfV_A (for government computers)

This presentation is FREE! Tune in from anywhere! Everyone welcome!

More Information about our July Native Prairie Speaker Series Webinar

About this Webinar:

Have you ever wondered how species-at-risk and other rare species are tracked in Saskatchewan? Join the Saskatchewan Conservation Data Centre (SKCDC) to learn how observations collected by scientists, naturalists, and community members help build the province’s database of wild species records. Discover how the SKCDC maps species locations, maintains provincial species lists, assigns conservation ranks, and provides information that supports conservation planning, research, and land-use decisions. Learn how you can contribute observations through the SKCDC’s iNaturalist project. Several priority species and groups will be highlighted for which additional observations are needed, including rare plants and species under consideration in national conservation assessment processes. Whether you’re an experienced biologist or simply curious about nature, you’ll learn how your observations can help improve our understanding and conservation of Saskatchewan’s biodiversity.

Hosted by: Caitlin Mroz-Sailer, Stewardship Coordinator, Prairie Conservation Action Plan

Presenting Sponsors: Canadian Forage and Grasslands Association, North American Helium, Pembina, Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association and SaskTel

Paved Paradise: The Ecological Impacts of Our Planet’s Highway System

June 9, 2026 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Speaker/s: Ben Goldfarb, Environmental Journalist and Author

June Native Prairie Speaker Series

Paved Paradise: The Ecological Impacts of Our Planet’s Highway System

Speaker: Ben Goldfarb, Environmental Journalist and Author

Tuesday June 9th, 2026 at 12:00pm

Watch the Recording on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Nwj0zColg-0?si=SBvUSAOqXXuuatGq

What’s On the Menu? Diet Analysis of Prairie Amphibians During the Breeding Season

May 12, 2026 @ 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Speaker/s: Jordan Vos

May Native Prairie Speaker Series

What’s On the Menu? Diet Analysis of Prairie Amphibians During the Breeding Season

Speaker: Jordan Vos, recent M.Sc. Graduate, University of Lethbridge

Tuesday May 12th, 2026 at 12:00pm MT

Register Free: https://shorturl.at/nCziy OR https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_RDphYlMUTH–2XC5lL45_Q (best for government computers)

About this Webinar:

In the vast, semi-arid landscapes of Southern Alberta, amphibians like the Boreal Chorus Frog and the Plains Spadefoot play vital yet often overlooked roles in the ecosystem. This talk explores Jo Vos’ Master’s research, which utilized dietary analysis to examine how these species sustain themselves within the prairie mosaic. By understanding the trophic interactions of these amphibians, we gain a clearer picture of wetland health and the complex food webs that support Southern Alberta’s unique biodiversity. Jo will share key findings from the field, the challenges of studying these elusive species, and why their conservation is essential for a resilient prairie ecosystem.

PCAP’s Native Prairie Speaker Series is a monthly webinar about prairie conservation or species at risk.

Hosted by: Caitlin Mroz-Sailer, Stewardship Coordinator, Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan

More Information: SK PCAP at 306.352.0472 or pcap@sasktel.net

Webinar: Rooted in Resilience: The Importance of Grasslands in Prairie Climate Adaptation

April 29, 2026 @ 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Speaker/s: Olivia Richardson and Talha Awan, Research Associates, Smart Prosperity Institute

April Native Prairie Speaker Series – Webinar

Rooted in Resilience: The Importance of Grasslands in Prairie Climate Adaptation

Speakers: Olivia Richardson and Talha Awan, Research Associates, Smart Prosperity Institute

Wednesday April 29th, 2026 at 12:00pm

About this Webinar:

This presentation explores how investing in the conservation, restoration, and sustainable management of Prairie grasslands offers a cost-effective natural climate solution. This presentation showcases how grasslands buffer against drought, floods, and other climate impacts while delivering co-benefits for biodiversity, water management, carbon sequestration, and regional economies. Drawing on recent research from the Smart Prosperity Institute, the presentation examines policy tools and market mechanisms that can help unlock the full value of Canada’s grasslands and build climate resilience from the ground up.

PCAP’s Native Prairie Speaker Series is a monthly webinar about prairie conservation or species at risk.

Hosted by: Caitlin Mroz-Sailer, Stewardship Coordinator, Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan