The Saskatchewan Department of Environment and Resource Management (SERM) office in Pierceland faces an uncertain future. (Submitted/Karlin Besner)

By Julia Lovett-Squires

Pierceland Conservation

Residents, Village of Pierceland concerned over conservation office’s possible closure

May 22, 2025 | 5:00 PM

As an avid outdoorsman and fisherman, Karlin Besner first moved into Pierceland three years ago.

“That’s one of the main reasons why I moved into this area,” he said, noting that when he first moved to the area, he actively sought clarification on laws as he has a friend with Metis status he hunts and fishes with.

“By having [a conservation officer] here in town, with this office, I was able to just drop in, explain my situation in person very quickly and get a point-blank yes or no answer.”

Now, the resource he has depended on may no longer have a future, and residents have concerns over what will happen to the local Saskatchewan Department of Environment and Resource Management (SERM) office should the lease not be renewed in November.

Besner learned of the plans last fall from an office clerk when he went in to get new hunting seals and was advised that if he had a concern, he should reach out to MLA for Lloydminster Coleen Young, whose portfolio is Energy and Resources.

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“Her office was very quick to respond,” he said, referring to an email he had sent.

Fishing in the park. (Submitted/Karlin Besner)

In her reply, which meadowlakeNOW has seen, she said she reached out to the Ministry for Parks, Culture and Sport, who confirmed they would staff the office for one year, then review.

According to the email from the ministry forwarded to Besner by Young, “There is very little Park business in that office anymore because most of our services are online now,” it read in part.

“It is a likely outcome that we will not place an employee in that location once the existing lease expires.”

Pierceland Mayor Coral Dale disputes that.

“It’s a valuable asset to our community,” she said, adding as a through point to Meadow Lake Provincial Park, the office has steady traffic.

“They go there for their fishing licenses, their park passes, commercial fishing licenses on Primrose (Lake) and Cold Lake – all that business…happens to go through that office right now.”

meadowlakeNOW has reached out to the Corrections, Policing and Public Safety department (CPPS), the department responsible for conservation officers and is awaiting a response.

The Pierceland office is the only office now in that area, and should it shutter, outdoor enthusiasts would have to drive roughly an hour to Dorintosh. Dale said the village has reached out to SERM as to whether they would be renewing the lease, but has received no word.

“It would be a huge loss to our community, never mind a loss in revenue that potentially keeps that building operational,” said Dale, noting the building is also used for community rental space, including a Mommy and Me program.

“Without the SERM revenue coming in, we would have to severely look at what we could use the building for or, potentially, yes, put it up for sale.”

The biggest concern for Besner is what the closure will mean for conservation efforts in the area and the potential for poaching. He acknowledged that although he wasn’t sure whether or not it was a problem in the area, but without a presence – there is currently one officer for the Pierceland office – it could become one.

While anglers and hunters work to keep each other in check and will call in if they see any suspicious activity, often times, Besner said, they are in remote areas that don’t have service and must wait to report until they get back in range.

“That’s my biggest concern, and then after that it’s just access to legal counsel and clarification on laws,” he said.

Another concern, the outdoorsman said, was the lack of information on the plans.

“It hasn’t really been publicized much either, it’s been – really the only way I found out about this is just by going into the office,” added Besner.

That lack of communication has been frustrating for Dale and the village.

A summertime scene. (Submitted/Karlin Besner)

“There’s the park office and the conservation officers, apparently they’re two different departments and they both utilize that space right now,” she said referring to Parks and CPPS.

“We’ve tried different areas but nobody’s answering us.”

The mayor explained they have had residents come to council but aside from lobbying the government, they can’t force them to stay.

“We do feel left out because we’re on the edge of every electoral riding,” she said of the provincial Lloydminster riding and the new federal Battlefords-Lloydminster-Meadow Lake riding.

“We’re just on the fringe for everything as far as provincial political services go, and as a result, we don’t have a very loud voice.”

Dale said their village has roughly 600 residents, while Dorintosh’s population falls well shy of that, with a couple of hundred.

“You’ve got to wonder why, I mean I realize that Dorintosh also has access to the provincial park, but we’re access on the west side, which services Alberta residents,” she said.

“I don’t know why, but I know we’re being overlooked, I believe.”

The uncertainty has left residents wondering, and Besner said it feels like they’re being kept in the dark.

“Everybody keeps saying that it sounds like it’s closing, but nobody knows 100 per cent if they’re renewing or not renewing,” he said.

Should it close, Besner believes that the lack of resource which currently deals with conservation infractions may fall on the police.

“The only other option that we have is our RCMP detachment,” he said.

“They’re already very busy, busy people out here already as it is.”

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julia.lovettsquires@pattisonmedia.com

On BlueSky: juleslovett.bsky.social