Introduction• Called Grasslands National Park• Name Origin: Represent’s the

Prairie Grasslands Natural Region of Canada-only NP

• East and West Blocks• Two permanent water sources:

Frenchman River, Rock Creek• # Visitors/Year: Unknown• Black-tailed prairie dog (only

here)• Est. as land becomes available for

purchase• Unique-Important Landforms:

Frenchman River Valley-includes plateaux, coulees, and 70-mile butte; Killdeer Badlands

Location• West and East Blocks• W-Frenchman River• W-Frenchman River Valley

(glacial meltwater channel)• FRV: includes plateaux, coulees,

70-mile butte• E-Rock Creek• E-Killdeer Badlands in Rock Creek

area in Wood Mountain Uplands• Part of the Prairie Ecozone (brown

highlighted area)• Saskatchewan• Near Canada – USA border• 906.5 km2

• 49oN 107oW

Location (Cont.)• To get there:• Fly from Ottawa Airport to Regina

Airport

• Turn right and drive down Lewvan Dr. (South)

• Take Highway 1 (East)

• Take Highway 4 (South)

• Val Marie Visitor centre: 120 km South of Swift Current

• Access park through Highway 4 (West Block) or through Highway 18 (East Block)

History of the Area• Killdeer Badlands: First recorded find

of dinosaur remains in Western Canada (1874 by Sir George Mercer Dawson)

• Assiniboine, Cree and Blackfoot

• 18000 years ago: Prime buffalo hunting area for Métis

• Plains Natives: Remains of native teepees, tools, weapons, artifacts

• Chief Sitting Bull and the Sioux came here after the battle of Little Bighorn

• North West Mounted Police and European settlement

• Colonization: Destroyed much of Mixed Grasslands

• Park Est. 1981

Flora• Rare species (*)

• Grasses : Blue grama grass, Spear grass, Wheat grass, Squirrel tail grass*, Oat grass* and Needle-and-thread grass

• Trees: Aspen, Green ash, Wolf willow, Oak, American Elm, Cottonwood, Manitoba maple and Buffalo berry

• Sage

• Rabbit brush

• Rocky Mountain Juniper*

• Daisy fleabane*

• Mosses

• Lichens

• Prickly pear cactus

• Wildflowers: Gumbo, Evening primrose, Prairie Crocus and Bessy’s focoweed*

Fauna Birds: Sprague’s pipit (threatened),

Horned lark, Lark bunting, Black-billed magpie, Long-billed curlew (special concern), Great grey owl, Short-eared owl (special concern), Burrowing owl, Peregrine falcon (threatened), Ferruginous hawk (special concern), Loggerhead shrike (threatened), Baird’s sparrow (rare), Burrowing owl (endangered), Greater sage-grouse (endangered), Sharp-tailed grouse, Red-headed woodpecker (special concern), Greater prairie-chicken (extirpated), Sage thrasher (endangered)

• Gopher• Badger• Black-tailed prairie dog (special

concern)• Painted turtle• Greater short-horned lizard (special

concern)

• Prairie rattlesnake• Eastern yellow-bellied racer

(threatened)• Plains spade foot toad• Great plains toad• Prairie wolf• Grizzly bear (extirpated)• Plains Bison (extirpated)• Elk• Wolverine• Swift Fox (endangered)• Black-footed ferret (extirpated)• Pronghorn Antelope• Mountain Plover (endangered)• Mormon metalmark (threatened)• Northern leopard frog (special concern)• Bull snake (data deficient)

Services and Programs(Play Park Guide!)

• Visitor Reception Centre (maps, current information and self-guiding brochures)

• Automobile Ecotour (audio-visual rentals and brochures)

• Hiking

• Horseback riding

• Bird watching

• Nature photography

• Bicycling

• Camping

• Tours (including school tours)

• Canada Day activities with Val Marie (Jul.1st)

• East Block Party sleepover and hike (August 6th and 7th)

• Have Yourself a Prairie Little Christmas lantern hike and Christmas concert (Nov 26th and 27th, 2005)

- Near Wood Mountain: Provincial Historic Park- Rodeo and Ranch Museum in Regional Park - provides some East Block information

Hazards! (To People)

• Grass fires due to dry conditions, strong winds and low humidity

• Lightening strikes, heat from the exhaust systems of vehicles, sparks from cigarettes and heat from camp stoves can start fires (open fires and off-road vehicle travel prohibited)

• Wildlife in old buildings• Buildings are weak and may

collapse-stay out! • Barbed wire, old machinery,

holes in grass from removed buildings

• Roads become slippery and impassable when it rains

• Lightening (in storms): find lower ground ie. underneath of cliff or open area (not near trees) and remove metal belongings

• Water in rivers, creeks, ponds, etc. is saline not fit for human consumption

• Rattle snakes have poisonous bite• Female black widows are

poisonous• Ticks transmit diseases

Why a National Park?• Chosen as a safe place to re-introduce

endangered species• 1950's - 1960's: Prairie conservationists promoted

“the protection of a significant area of natural grasslands”

• October 1963: Members of the Saskatchewan Natural History Society passed a resolution “urging the federal government to establish a national park in south-western Saskatchewan”

• 1965: Study of potential park areas conducted in southern Saskatchewan and southern Alberta

• Conclusion: Killdeer Badlands-Frenchman river area most suitable

• I975: Memorandum-of-Intent (setting out some of the terms and conditions for establishment of GNPC) signed by both governments.

• 1976: Independent Public Hearings Board (determine degree of support for Grasslands National Park) reported the Park proposal had public's support and should proceed

• June 19th, 1981: Agreement to establish Park signed by Canada and Sask.

• Parks Canada purchased two ranches totaling 140 km 2 in the Frenchman river area: acquisition of additional park lands ceased when conditions in agreement pertaining to oil and gas exploration and water resource management proved unworkable

• Negotiations went on for five years• 1988: Coalition of non-governmental conservation

organizations helped reach agreement between Canada and Saskatchewan to revise 1981 accord and establish Grasslands National Park of Canada

• Proposed park boundary encompasses around 900km2 in two blocks: Parks Canada has over 55% of the land - agreement allows Parks Canada to acquire land on a willing-seller, willing-buyer basis

• Sask. can uphold existing water use agreements and international commitments

• Allows Parks Canada 30 years before Saskatchewan can terminate its obligations to the 1988 agreement.

• Feb 19th, 2001: Grasslands National Park of Canada officially proclaimed a national park (under new Canada National Parks Act)

• 1991: Amoco Canada sold title to mineral rights to Parks Canada

Bibliography• Pictures: Title Page:

Canada. Tourism Saskatchewan. Scenic Routes. 17 May 2006.date unknown <http://www.sasktourism.com/default.asp?page=90>

Grasslands National Park:“Landmark: Swift Current”. Southwest Saskatchewan Bed & Breakfast, Inn, Lodge and Cottage Directory.17 May 2006. CanVisit. 17 May 2006

<http://www.canvisit.com/Canada/Saskatchewan/Southwest-SK/SWSask.html> Location:

Canada. Parks Canada. Prairie Ecozone. 17 May 2006October 29 2003 <http://www.pc.gc.ca/apprende-learn/prof/itma-crp-trc/pdf/ecozone09_e.pdf>

Location (Cont.):Canada. Henderson, Darcy. Entomological opportunities in Grasslands National Park – an invitation. 17 May 2006.

January 2006 <http://www.biology.ualberta.ca/bsc/grasslandarticles/2006(1).pdf> History of the Park:

Canada. Parks Canada. Geological and Paleontological History. 17 May 2006. 12 January 2005 <http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/sk/grasslands/natcul/natcul4_e.asp>

Flora:Mosquin, Daniel. Botany Photo of the Day. 17 May 2006.

1 September 2005 <http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/potd/2005/09/lilium_philadelphicum.php> Fauna:

Canada. Tourism Saskatchewan. Provincial Animal. 17 May 2006date unknown <http://www.sasktourism.com/default.asp?page=121>

The Unique Park:Canada. Parks Canada. Natural Wonders and Cultural Treasures. 17 May 2006.

1 January 2005 <http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/sk/grasslands/natcul/natcul2a_E.asp> Services and Programs:

Faces of Faith and Drama. 17 May 2006.Date unknown <http://www.roygearhart.com/faces_of_faith_drama.htm>

Why a National Park?: Canada. FM Designs. E-mail your Questions for the Candidates. 17 May 2006.

2006 <http://www.udevote.ca/questionmark.gif>

Bibliography (Cont.)• Information: Canada. Parks Canada. How to Get There. 28 July 2005.

17 May 2006 <http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/sk/grasslands/visit/visit1_E.asp>

Canada. Parks Canada. Hazards and Safety. 12 January 2005 17 May 2006

<http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/sk/grasslands/visit/visit2_e.asp> Canada. Parks Canada. Weather. 12 January 2005

17 May 2006 <http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/sk/grasslands/visit/visit3_e.asp>

Canada. Parks Canada. Services. 12 January 200517 May 2006

<http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/sk/grasslands/visit/visit5_e.asp> Canada. Parks Canada. The Canadian Protected Heritage System. 12

January 200517 May 2006

<http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/sk/grasslands/natcul/natcul2_E.asp> Canada. Parks Canada. The Mixed Grass Prairie Ecosystem. 12

January 200517 May 2006

<http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/sk/grasslands/natcul/natcul2a_E.asp> Canada. Parks Canada. Endangered Species and Spaces. 12 January

200517 May 2006

<http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/sk/grasslands/natcul/natcul3_e.asp> Canada. Parks Canada. Geological and Paleontological History. 12

January 200517 May 2006

<http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/sk/grasslands/natcul/natcul4_e.asp> Canada. Parks Canada. Human-Land Relationships – Human History.

12 January 200517 May 2006

<http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/sk/grasslands/ natcul/natcul5_e.asp> Canada. Parks Canada. Heritage Programs and Activities -

Opportunities For Discovery. 28 July 200517 May 2006

<http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/sk/grasslands/activ/activ1_E.asp>

Canada. Parks Canada. Frenchman River Valley Ecotour. 12 January 2005

17 May 2006 <http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/sk/grasslands/activ/activ3_e.asp>

Canada. Parks Canada. Prairie Notes. 22 August 200517 May 2006

<http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/sk/grasslands/edu/edu1_E.asp#grassla nds>

Canada. The Atlas of Canada. National Parks. 18 August 2004.15 May 2006 <http://atlas-dev.ccrs.nrcan.gc.ca/site/english/learningresources/facts/parks.html>

(Ontario ) Canada. Digital Wizards.The Parks/Saskatchewan/Grasslands/Grasslands National Park. 17 May 2006.

2002-2003 <http://canadianparks.com/saskatchewan/grassnp/page4.htm>

“Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan.” Date unknown. 17 May 2006<http://www.aquatic.uoguelph.ca/explorer/province/sask/grasslnd/grasslnd.htm>

Canada. Environment Canada. Sprague’s Pipit. 14 February 200617 May 2006

<http://www.speciesatrisk.gc.ca/search/speciesDetails_e.cfm?SpeciesID=573>

Canada. Parks Canada. Establishing the Park. 22 August 200517 May 2006

<http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/sk/grasslands/edu/edu1_E.asp #grasslands>

“Northern Habitats-A Network of Parks and Reserves-Conflicts of Interest” Encyclopaedia of World Geography: 2002

Stephenson, Marylee. A Visitor’s Guide Canada’s National Parks. Scarborough: Prentice Hall Canada Inc., 1997

Clark, Bruce W. and John K. Wallace. Making Connections Canada’s Geography. Toronto: Prentice Hall Ginn Canada, Inc., 1999