Habitat Stewardship Coordinator

Application Deadline: September 5th, 2023

Location: Regina, Saskatchewan
Start Date: October 2, 2023
Position: Full-time Permanent
Wage: $52,888 - $63,532 (plus benefits)

Nature Saskatchewan (NS) requires an enthusiastic and knowledgeable individual to develop and deliver our Operation Burrowing Owl (OBO) program. OBO (initiated in 1987) raises awareness about the Burrowing Owl, and engages landowners in conserving and enhancing their habitat through voluntary agreements, educational programming, and landowner workshops. Field work and travel are involved, primarily from May through August. The coordinator will work under the supervision of the Species at Risk Manager and closely with other Nature Saskatchewan Habitat Stewardship Coordinators, and together with other agencies involved in complementary and related activities (e.g., serving on committees). 

Tasks and responsibilities:

• Plan and deliver program activities; work with other agencies with shared goals.
• Hire, train, and supervise summer field staff.
• Respond to Burrowing Owl sightings; search for new occurrences; visit landowners to verify occurrences of target species; invite landowners with Burrowing Owls to participate in our Stewards of Saskatchewan programs.
• Promote stewardship through printed materials, newsletter articles, displays, presentations, media releases, and stewardship workshops.
• Maintain accurate records of landowner and species occurrence information.
• Prepare funding proposals (including budgets) and reports regarding these programs.

Qualifications:

• Post-secondary degree in biology, agriculture, natural resource management or other related environmental studies. Experience in stewardship and/or wildlife work is an asset.
• Excellent communication and writing skills.
• Self-motivated, organizational skills, resourcefulness, and ability to plan project work.
• Valid driver’s license and willingness to work flexible hours at times.

Please email a resume and cover letter in one pdf to Rebecca Magnus at rmagnus@naturesask.ca. Please include in the subject line “OBO Coordinator” and your name.

Nature Saskatchewan is a conservation and cultural organization that promotes the appreciation and understanding of our natural environment through education, conservation and research.

Regina, SK – August 21st, 2023 - As our summer gears up for the last warm days before Autumn settles in, so to do our prairie Monarch Butterflies gear up for their big migration south.

August is an eventful month for the Monarch on the prairies. Milkweed is in full bloom, starting to develop pods, and the last of this summers Monarch caterpillars are completing their metamorphosis into the beautiful iconic butterflies that we all love. This month watchful eyes can be lucky enough to catch Monarchs in all forms of their life stages, and it is one of the best times to give Monarchs a helping hand in the garden. “Migration takes an enormous amount of energy,” Emily Putz, Habitat Stewardship Coordinator at Nature Saskatchewan explains, “The adults that emerge now are in a race to get the nutrients they need to survive the journey.” The summer generation of butterflies will survive up to 9 months, journeying 4,000km south to their wintering site in Mexico- where they fast throughout the winter before producing the next generation to begin the flight northward in the spring. Foraging before they begin their flight can give them the boost they need to get going. “That’s were the public can come in to help” further explains Putz, “lots of people know about the importance of Milkweed to a Monarch caterpillar, but it’s often forgotten that ample late-blooming nectaring species are equally important to the adults in late summer.” If you already have Milkweed incorporated into your yardscape, planting other nectaring plants completes the picture for the monarchs and will attract them to your Milkweed more readily.

Planting your garden with Monarchs in mind can create a habitat that blooms late into the fall season, while benefitting a huge number of our other native insect and bird species alike. When looking to which species to plant, perennial native plants will give Monarchs the energy they need. “These flowering species are already adapted to our climate, making them low-maintenance once established, there’s also the added benefit that our native pollinators are also adapted to their bloom times and know to look for them.” Putz states. The large yellow blooms of our goldenrod species produce right into the fall, as well as golden and purple native asters, purple vervain, and pink blazingstar. Planting these species creates an attractive landscape to insects and humans alike. Stay away from tropical species, especially Tropical Milkweed, which may be colourful and advertised as butterfly benefitting, but can do more harm then good to Monarchs, spreading wing deforming disease and tricking them into staying too long before the frost.

Saskatchewan’s Monarchs begin their flight Southward by the end of August into September. If you happen to spot one on its journey, or at anytime of its lifecycle, please report your sighting to Nature Saskatchewan’s toll-free HOOTline, 1-800-667-HOOT (4668) or email Emily Putz at outreach@naturesask.ca. Every sighting helps fill the knowledge gap of this iconic butterfly in it’s prairie range.

If you have Monarch habitat with consistent use year to year by this butterfly, consider joining Nature Saskatchewan’s voluntary stewardship program, Stewards of Saskatchewan, which currently partners with 274 private land title holders and managers to help conserve habitat and monitor population numbers of monarchs and other species-at-risk in the province. All Caller and program participant information is kept confidential.

For further information, please contact Nature Saskatchewan:

Rebecca Magnus, Species at Risk Manager
Phone: (306) 780-9270
Email: rmagnus@naturesask.ca

Regina, SK – July 18^th, 2023 – As we make our way into summer on the prairies, mid to late July marks the end of a busy nesting season for the endangered Burrowing Owls. Right now, young Burrowing Owls are beginning to discover their independence as they start to leave the comfort of the nest and learn to hunt for themselves! While this is an exciting time in their life cycle, it does not come without risks. One of the many dangers a young and inexperienced Burrowing Owl can face is collision with vehicles. Kaytlyn Burrows, Habitat Stewardship Coordinator at Nature Saskatchewan explains that “the juveniles often forage in roadside ditches, where they find small invertebrates and rodents that tend to congregate at dusk, but unfortunately, many of these young are killed by motorists whilst foraging along the sun-warmed road.”

The Burrowing Owl population faced a steep decline in the early 1990’s and has not been able to recover, making the survival of each juvenile owl incredibly important for the growth of their population. There are some things that we can do to help the young owls survive during this critical time. “When motorists are driving in Burrowing Owl habitat, and especially near known nest sites, it’s important that they take a few extra minutes and slow down. This will reduce the risk of owl-vehicle collisions.” The owls can be found in native or tame pasture that has been well grazed by cattle, as this shorter grass allows them to spot predators. They can also be seen standing on or nearby the burrow, on nearby fence posts, or foraging in the ditches.

Slowing down while driving will not only help Burrowing Owls survive, but may also increase your chances of spotting this endangered bird! A few key features to remember when identifying a Burrowing Owl are their mottled brown and white feathers, round head, white ‘eyebrows’, and long featherless legs. Don’t be fooled by its small size – they are only about 9 inches tall (about the size of a Robin).

Nature Saskatchewan runs a voluntary stewardship program, Operation Burrowing Owl, and currently partners with 350 private land title holders and managers to help conserve habitat and monitor population numbers. Program participants are the eyes and ears and help us by recording sightings to help determine population trends and distribution of the Burrowing Owl throughout Saskatchewan. This information is helpful towards the conservation of these charismatic birds.

If you think you have spotted a Burrowing Owl, please give a “hoot” by calling Nature Saskatchewan’s toll-free HOOT Line, 1-800-667-HOOT (4668) or email obo@naturesask.ca. “When you report a sighting you are playing a very important role in Burrowing Owl recovery. Every sighting is critical!” says Burrows. Caller information is kept confidential.

For further information, please contact Nature Saskatchewan:

Kaytlyn Burrows,Habitat Stewardship Coordinator
Phone: (306) 780-9833
Email: obo@naturesask.ca       
 

Rebecca Magnus, Species at Risk Manager
Phone: (306) 780-9270
Email: rmagnus@naturesask.ca

Young Burrowing Owls, photo: Boyd Coburn

Regina, SK – June 26, 2023 – The beginning of July means the start of summer for many families, as school is out and family road trips and sunny days on the beach begin. The same can be said for Saskatchewan’s wild families! This time of year our bird species are especially active as they raise their chicks, including two bird species at risk- the Endangered Piping Plover and the Threatened Loggerhead Shrike. Nature Saskatchewan is asking families and the public to keep a watch out for these birds and report any sightings to help monitor their populations.

Along the shorelines you’ll find the Piping Plover - a small, white and tan-coloured shorebird that nests on rocky and sandy beaches below the vegetation line, and forages along the shoreline for their invertebrate prey. Their nests are shallow depressions within the sand that they line with pebbles, relying heavily on camouflage to protect the eggs from predators. Adults and chicks rely on staying still and blending in to stay safe, which makes them very difficult to spot until it’s too late. “Sandy, open beaches provide the best habitat for nesting and foraging,” explains Emily Putz, Habitat Stewardship Coordinator at Nature Saskatchewan. “Unfortunately these types of beaches are also the most attractive to humans as well for our recreation activities. We ask the public to be mindful of this as they explore Saskatchewan’s shorelines this summer.”

While most chicks have already hatched, some late nesters may still be incubating eggs. The public is asked to keep dogs on a leash and keep ATVs off the open sand in areas where plovers are known to nest in high numbers, such as Lake Diefenbaker and the shoreline of the South Saskatchewan River. Chicks will remain motionless when they sense danger, while adult plovers will perform a “broken-wing” display, as well as make vocal “peep-lo” calls, whenever their nest is approached by people or predators. If a plover is trying to lead you away from the nest, be careful of where you’re stepping!

Loggerhead Shrikes, meanwhile, can be found busy feeding their noisy chicks in thorny shrubs like buffaloberry in shelterbelts, which provide great opportunities to “impale” their prey. Also known as butcherbirds, Shrikes – which are great for pest control – are known to impale amphibians, insects like grasshoppers, and small rodents like mice on thorns, branches, or barb wire! The chicks are just beginning to explore outside of their nest in July, often following their parents to practice their hunting skills, perching on or near roadsides which are perfect places to grab insect food from. “Because of this, roadside mortality is a major threat to their population, particularly the young fledglings who are unable to fly away from an oncoming vehicle,” explains Emily Putz. “If you are hitting the roads this summer, watch for young birds on roads, particularly near shelterbelts or shrubby yard sites.” Loggerhead Shrikes are slightly smaller than a robin, and can be identified by the band of black that runs across their faces, with grey backs and wings that flash white when in flight.

Saskatchewan provides important breeding habitat for both Piping Plovers and Loggerhead Shrikes, and with the largest population of Piping Plovers in Canada, “It’s up to us to do what we can to help their chicks survive to adulthood,” concludes Putz.

Nature Saskatchewan’s voluntary stewardship programs, Shrubs for Shrikes and Plovers on Shore, work directly with land stewards to conserve habitat for species-at-risk and monitor population numbers in Saskatchewan. Sightings are recorded to help determine the distribution of these species throughout the province. This information can then be used towards efforts to conserve and restore the habitat and population of these species. Anyone can report their sightings of these species as they are out this summer enjoying Saskatchewan’s natural beauty. If you see any of these species in Saskatchewan or would like more information about our programs, please call Nature Saskatchewan’s toll-free line at 1-800-667-HOOT (4668), text (306) 780-9832, or email us at outreach@naturesask.ca. Private information is never shared without permission. Please also feel free to share photos, as we love to see them!

For further information, please contact Nature Saskatchewan:

Regina, SK – June 5th, 2023 – The arrival of spring means aerial insectivores have returned to Saskatchewan! This group of birds includes at-risk species such as the Bank Swallow, Barn Swallow, Common Nighthawk, and Chimney Swift; which can be found in both urban and prairie environments throughout the summer months.

“Aerial insectivores catch and consume insects mid-flight, and are therefore fantastic at pest control. The presence of these natural predators benefits both people and livestock,” explains Emily Putz, Habitat Stewardship Coordinator at Nature Saskatchewan. “These at-risk species thrive on large insect populations, and can help make the summer more pleasant in the yard or pasture. Their wide, gaping mouths and agility in the sky allow for the capture of a wide variety of flying insects.”

The Bank Swallow is a cavity nester and excavates its nest on the face of steep, vertical cliffs such as streambanks. Breeding colonies range from a handful of pairs to a few thousand, and are found across Canada. They fly over open habitats, eating between 25 and 50% of their body weight in insects each day; They can be identified by their brown backs and white fronts, with a brown band across their breast, as well as their buzzing calls. They will often congregate on roadways, especially where another swallow has been hit by a vehicle, causing road mortality to occur in clusters and posing a significant risk to their population.

The Barn Swallow is found throughout the Prairie Provinces, and typically nests on human-made structures, such as barns, sheds, and bridges. They forage for insect prey over grasslands and agricultural fields, wetlands, and other open spaces, eating upwards of 60 insects per hour (that’s over 850 insects per day!). They can be identified by their metallic blue and cinnamon-coloured bodies and deeply forked tail. Their call is a short “cheep”, or a two-toned “chi-deep” when alarmed.

The Common Nighthawk is most active at dawn and dusk, and uses its mottled brown-and-white plumage to camouflage when perched on the ground. In flight, they can be identified by a distinct white vertical band on each wing, while their call is a nasal, single-noted “peent”. They are able to adapt to a wide range of habitats, and roost on exposed ground, or artificial structures such as flat gravel roofs. They feast on numerous insects such as mosquitoes, beetles, and grasshoppers.

Chimney Swifts, found in the southeast corner of Saskatchewan, have adapted to nest directly inside old chimney columns. They spend the vast majority of their time flying, catching and eating up to 12,000 insects daily! Due to their small size, both the ‘Swifts’ and their nests do not block chimneys, meaning they pose a minimal risk to infrastructure.

Unfortunately, Bank Swallow, Barn Swallow, Common Nighthawk, and Chimney Swift populations have all declined steeply in the last 50 years, leading to their listings as at-risk species. Bank and Barn Swallow populations alone have declined by 98% across their range over this time. The decline of aerial insectivores mirrors losses in insect populations attributed to pesticide use, habitat loss and climate change. These species also are often the victims of road mortality.

Nature Saskatchewan’s voluntary stewardship program, Stewards of Saskatchewan (SOS), works with nearly 250 land stewards to conserve habitat for species-at-risk and monitor population numbers in Saskatchewan. SOS records sightings to help determine the distribution of these species throughout the province. This information can then be used towards efforts to conserve and restore the habitat and population of these beneficial bird species. “Without the voluntary efforts of land stewards and the general public, recovery of these agile bird species would not be possible” says Putz. She encourages the public to report sightings of these or any other species at risk to Nature Saskatchewan’s toll-free HOOT Line. Private information is never shared without permission. If you see any of these species in Saskatchewan or would like more information about the Stewards of Saskatchewan program, please call Nature Saskatchewan’s toll-free line at 1-800-667-HOOT (4668), text (306) 780-9832, or email us at outreach@naturesask.ca. Please also feel free to share photos, as we love to see them!

For further information, please contact Nature Saskatchewan:

Emily Putz
Habitat Stewardship Coordinator
Phone: (306) 780-9832
Email: outreach@naturesask.ca

Rebecca Magnus
Species at Risk Manager
Phone: (306) 780-9270
Email: rmagnus@naturesask.ca

Regina, SK – May 31st, 2023 – Along with the warm winds and sunshine, we are so excited to welcome Burrowing Owls back to their breeding grounds here in southern Saskatchewan! After a long winter, Burrowing Owls have made the long journey back to the prairies from southern Texas and Mexico. Saskatchewan is an incredibly important place for the Burrowing Owls life cycle – breeding season is already underway! Burrowing Owls have paired up and the female is now incubating the eggs inside the burrow while the male is busy hunting for himself and his mate.

Burrowing Owls are a special and unique prairie owl. They are the only species of owl to nest underground in abandoned badger or gopher burrows and are one of the smallest owls in Canada! They can be identified by their small size (~9 inches tall) and light and dark brown plumage with white spots. They have round heads, large yellow eyes, and white ‘eyebrows’. Burrowing Owls also have long featherless legs that make them look like a pop can on stilts. When spotted, they are often standing next to or on their burrow or on a fence post.

Burrowing Owls are adapted to the prairie landscape and coexist very well with grazing animals. Burrowing Owls love a mosaic of grass height – shorter grass allows them to sight predators more efficiently and longer grass is great hunting habitat. They also use the manure to line their burrows for absorbing moisture, regulating temperature, attracting insects for food, and to help hide their scent from nearby predators.

Burrowing Owls have become an iconic prairie species but they need our help! Burrowing Owls are an endangered species in Canada so every sighting is incredibly important! If you have Burrowing Owls in your pasture or cultivated land, do not fear! Burrowing Owls are excellent helpers and provide many advantages including free pest control! According to Nature Saskatchewan’s Habitat Stewardship Coordinator, Kaytlyn Burrows, “Burrowing Owls eat huge numbers of insects, mice, voles and grasshoppers. Over the course of a summer, one owl family can consume up to 1800 rodents and 7000 insects!”

Nature Saskatchewan runs a voluntary stewardship program, Operation Burrowing Owl, and currently partners with close to 350 private land title holders and managers to help conserve habitat and monitor population numbers. Program participants are the eyes and ears and help us by recording sightings to help determine population trends and distribution of the Burrowing Owl throughout Saskatchewan. This information is helpful towards the conservation of these charismatic birds.

“Without the voluntary efforts of the land stewards and the general public, recovery of this unique prairie owl would not be possible” says Burrows. She encourages the public “to explore Saskatchewan and all the unique adventures it can offer!” If you think you have spotted a Burrowing Owl, please give a “hoot” by calling Nature Saskatchewan’s toll-free HOOT Line, 1-800-667-HOOT (4668) or email obo@naturesask.ca. “When you report a sighting you are playing a very important role in Burrowing Owl recovery. Every sighting is critical!” says Burrows. Private information is kept confidential and is never shared without permission.

For further information, please contact Nature Saskatchewan:

Rebecca Magnus
Species at Risk Manager
Phone: (306) 780-9270
Email: rmagnus@naturesask.ca