Dawson Trail Dispatch, written by Norm Gregoire, November 2024
Page 14 https://issuu.com/dispatch222/docs/dawson_trail_dispatch_november_2024
For over two and a half years I have had the pleasure of introducing readers of the “Species at Risk Spotlight” column in The Dawson Trail Dispatch to the amazing species that we are fortunate to share our home with here in the tall-grass prairie. If you have missed any of the articles or would like to refresh your memory on any of the 28 species at risk, you can find the articles (along with other great information) on the Shared Legacy Partnership website “sharedlegacymb.ca”.
Although the “Species at Risk Spotlight” column is over, there is still a lot of tall-grass prairie content to share. I am happy to introduce this newest column from the Shared Legacy Partnership “The Nature Norm Report”! Here I will be covering everything tall-grass prairie related including the latest in conservation news, digging deeper into various aspects of species at risk, and answering the most asked questions that I receive.
Another area that will be focused on is the people of the prairie. I’ll be talking with community members and learning what their relationship is with the tall-grass prairie, as well as hearing from the folks that are working hard in the field of conservation, ensuring that this unique area and the species that call it home are here for years to come.
Sharing this information is important! In 2015, the tall-grass prairie became North Americas first listed endangered ecosystem. In Manitoba it is thought that there is less than 1% of the former range of the tall-grass prairie. With such a rare ecosystem it may not be surprising that there are species like the Poweshiek skipperling and western prairie fringed orchid that are found no where else in Canada. It is not all doom and gloom however, as there are many conservation success stories enfolding every year and initiatives working towards a future where the tall-grass prairie is still around for all to enjoy. One of the major initiatives is The Shared Legacy Partnership.
The Shared Legacy Partnership is a cooperative working group led by the Rural Municipality of Stuartburn and The Nature Conservancy of Canada along with partners Sunrise Corner Economic Development and Province of Manitoba. The primary focus of The Partnership is to alleviate threats for species at risk and improve their habitat through effective communication and coordination between the partners and targeted outreach.
Connecting with the tall-grass prairie community is of high important to The Shared Legacy Partnership. It is recognised that locals have played a vital role in the land management of the area in a variety of ways that has ensured that not all of this precious ecosystem has been lost. Sharing knowledge can be a powerful way for everyone to come together and create a community where the three pillars that The Shared Legacy Partnership has been built on are honored: nature, culture and economy.
I hope this article has piqued your interest! If you would like to learn more about the tall-grass prairie or species at risk, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Or better yet, come down to the tall-grass prairie to see and learn what makes this place so special with me, Nature Norm as host.
Adventures with Nature Norm
On this month’s Adventures with Nature Norm, we will be learning about the bears of Manitoba! Starting at the Weston Family Tall Grass Prairie Interpretive Centre, we will be taking a short walk on the Prairie Orchid Trail and then heading indoors to enjoy the centre. This event is taking place November 23rd, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. For more information, please contact me at info@sharedlegacymb.ca. I hope to see you there!