Efforts to protect Prairie species needs talk: biologist

SASKATOON – A leading biologist says there was a failure to communicate about efforts to protect one of Canada’s most endangered birds and he’s cautioning against making such mistakes in the future. Lorne Fitch says controversy over steps taken to protect the greater sage grouse show the need to talk to people early and in their own language about efforts to protect the land and species on the Prairies.

There was controversy when the federal government put new rules in place on land in southern Alberta in an attempt to protect greater sage grouse habitat.

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Fitch says antelope should be watched closely given population trends and the change in native prairie, on which the animals ultimately depend.

The Alberta-based biologist notes that sage grouse weren’t at risk at one time, adding antelope could suffer the same fate if people don’t pay attention.

Biologists, environmentalists and others are talking about ways to protect land and various species this week at the Prairie Conservation and Endangered Species Conference in Saskatoon.

Fitch says landowners are often in the best position to be managers of the land, but they may need scientific or technical help.