Celebrating 90 years

Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation is turning 90

Feb 14, 2019 | 5:00 PM

A Saskatchewan conservation organization is marking a major milestone in its history.

The Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation (SWF) is set to celebrate its 90th anniversary at its convention in Moose Jaw this weekend.

Representatives from local wildlife federations from all over the province are set to attend the annual meetings, including representatives from the Prince Alert Wildlife Federation.

Doug Erickson, who serves as the president and facility manager for the P.A. wildlife federation, told paNOW that marking this milestone says a lot about the SWF as an organization.

“I think it’s fairly significant for something to last 90 years and still be thriving, obviously there’s a need,” he said.

The provincial federation plays a big role in helping with a number of conservation projects in the local area. One of the important programs which stood out for Erickson was the fins initiative, which is going on at Riverside Community School.

“They put aquariums in schools and they supply eggs and the fish hatch and whatnot and as they get to become fingerlings then the students and the school systems are involved in the release,” he said.

Another local initiative which the provincial federation plays a big role in is the youth conservation camp at Hannin Creek which is located at Candle Lake.

“We typically send one or two local kids to the camp each year,” said Erickson.

Erickson added these larger initiatives would likely not be possible if the local group did not have the support of the provincial organization.

Currently the wildlife federation in Prince Albert has just over 500 members. Erickson said the membership is fairly wide.

“It’s definitely diverse, we’ve got people from every age group, and every segment of society that have memberships,” he said.

At the convention this weekend, a variety of topics are on the agenda ranging from firearms legislation to questions about habitat trust lands.

“There’s all kinds of things that come up at these conventions,” Erickson said.

MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn

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