Saskatoon – The bleats are back! This fall, a flock of hard-working sheep guided by local shepherd Jared Epp and his trusty stock dogs will return to the Meewasin Valley. Helping manage the grasslands at Beaver Creek Conservation Area and the Northeast Swale, these woolly workers are more than adorable: they’re a powerful conservation team.
A modern conservation tool rooted in tradition
Targeted grazing is a sustainable land management practice that uses livestock to restore balance to ecosystems. By mimicking natural grazing patterns, sheep help maintain open prairie landscapes, supporting biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. From late August through September, the flock will help to enhance the ecological health of Beaver Creek Conservation Area and the Northeast Swale by:
- Keeping prairie habitat open for grassland birds and pollinators
- Reducing woody shrub encroachment
- Lowering wildfire risk
“For over 20 years, Meewasin has led the way in urban targeted grazing,” says Renny Grilz, PAg, resource management officer at Meewasin. “By using sheep to manage invasive species and maintain prairie health, we are not only improving wildlife habitat but also demonstrating the important role agriculture plays in sustaining natural systems within an urban landscape.”
See it for yourself in action
Sheep Grazing Demonstrations: Watch the flock at work, Aug. 30 & 31 and Sept. 7 (Beaver Creek), and Sept. 18–20 (Northeast Swale).
Meewasin Grazing Dinner: Back by popular demand, Sept. 4, 5, 12 & 13. This one-of-a-kind evening pairs a unique dining experience with opportunities to learn about conservation, grazing, and prairie stewardship.
This program is made possible thanks to Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Habitat Stewardship Program and BHP Canada. With support from these partners, the Meewasin Valley Authority is showing how tradition, innovation, and a flock of determined sheep can keep our prairies thriving for generations to come.
Want to experience conservation in action? Visit our event page to learn more and register for grazing demonstrations or the Meewasin Grazing Dinner.
About Meewasin Valley Authority
The Meewasin Valley Authority exists to ensure a healthy and vibrant river valley, with a balance between human use and conservation by:
Providing leadership in the management of its resources;
Promoting understanding, conservation and beneficial use of the Valley; and
Undertaking programs and projects in river valley development and conservation, for the benefit of present and future generations.
There are 67 square kilometers of land and 108km of established trail, which has seen up to 2.365 million trail visits per year, in the Meewasin Valley. The area also features sites that help people to connect to nature through experiences such as Beaver Creek Conservation Area, the Meewasin Northeast Swale, Saskatoon Natural Grasslands, the River Landing Spray Area, and the Cameco Meewasin Skating Rink @Nutrien Plaza. Meewasin is a non-profit organization that relies on donations and volunteers for sustainability.
For Information Contact:
Renny Grilz
Resource Management Officer
(306) 262 4970
rgrilz@meewasin.com