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Celebrating the Forests of Saskatchewan with the Boreal Bio-logue

September 24, 2024
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CPAWS Saskatchewan
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The Boreal Forest is a vast coniferous forest that covers a great deal of Canada’s landscape. It is characterized by dense coniferous forest consisting of pine, spruce and larch trees, and many species of deciduous tree. Among these trees lies an array of biodiversity, with micro-organisms, fungi, plants, insects and animal species all uniquely adapted to the harsh climatic conditions. It is home to more than 150 bird species, which makes up at least half of the bird species in Canada. Among others, it also hosts the endangered Woodland Caribou. More than half of Saskatchewan is covered in this dense Boreal Forest, and we’re committed to education that celebrates its importance .

CPAWS Saskatchewan and the Prince Albert Model Forest (PAMF) have collaborated since 2021 to deliver the “Boreal Bio-logue,” a program providing opportunities for local communities to learn about the boreal forest in urban and near-urban settings. The Boreal Bio-logue was conceived out of a need to raise awareness of the importance of the Boreal Forest, the need to protect it, and a lack of land and conservation-based education in Saskatchewan. The event has been hosted for three consecutive years at Little Red River Park (LRRP) in Prince Albert and the Cloverdale Fire burn site, offering participants insights into the boreal forest’s dynamics, fire ecology, and the integration – and bridges – of Indigenous knowledge and Western science. Focused on community engagement, accessible education, and hands-on environmental stewardship, participants experience the areas where they live, ultimately gaining a deeper understanding, appreciation, and sense of responsibility to conserve the boreal and prairie ecosystems; for a healthier and more sustainable future.