Ecotourism

The Saskatchewan Watershed Authority believes that successful conservation programming needs to balance wildlife habitat requirements with economic interests of people who own and manage the land. To achieve this, the Authority works with communities to create a greater awareness of the value and function of healthy ecosystems, and the role these systems play in sustaining local economies in Saskatchewan and North America.

Initiatives in Saskatchewan Ecotourism

Ecotourism is one of the fastest growing segments of the travel industry today. An increasing number of travelers are seeking educational, cultural, sustainable adventure and special- interest vacation experiences that are consistent with their personal sense of responsibility for the environment. Bird watching vacations are one of the many experiences that are gaining in popularity throughout Saskatchewan and Canada.

As a result, many conservation and community groups throughout the rural areas of the province are beginning to promote the development of ecotourism in an attempt to diversify their economies, increase employment opportunities and generate much needed revenue.

In this context, the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority is working closely with many communities across the province and has helped them produce a Saskatchewan Birding Trail Brochure. The Chaplin and Quill Lakes Tourism Committees organized this effort with help from the Authority.

The Chaplin, Old Wives and Reed Lake complex was designated a Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network Site of Global importance in May of 1997, and an Important Bird Area Site of International importance in 1999. This area is one of the most important inlands sites for migratory birds in Canada. More than 30 species of shorebirds, up to 100,000 in number (some endangered), either stop to rest and refuel during their migratory journey, or to nest and raise their young. Included in these numbers are 50 percent of the hemispheric population of Sanderlings and 15 percent of the provincial population of the endangered Piping Plovers.

The community of Chaplin recently celebrated a grand opening of its Nature Centre on June 5th of 2004. A 2200 square foot expansion to the existing centre was completed which now houses displays featuring endangered species and a large mural showing shoreline habitat and shorebirds that use Chaplin Lake.

Bev Coates, Chaplin Nature Centre

The Quill Lakes complex, a designated Western Hemispheric Shorebird Network Site, covers 40,000 hectares and is one of North America’s most critical inland water bodies for migratory birds, hosting up to one million birds annually. The complex contains the largest saline lake in Canada, and is a major breeding and staging area for 250,000 geese, 40,000 Sandhill Cranes and up to 150,000 arctic-nesting shorebirds, as well as a population of American White Pelicans.

The towns of Wynyard, Wadena and Foam Lake near the Quill Lakes are in the process of building an interpretive centre at Wynyard and two information centres at Wadena and Foam Lake. A grand opening is expected in the Spring of 2005, our centennial year. Watch our calendar of events for a specific time and date.

Web Cam Live Feed

This webcam offers you a live feed of shorebirds at Chaplin Lake in south-central Saskatchewan. Watch for the endangered Piping Plover as Chaplin Lake plays host to approximately 200 Piping plovers each year. It is estimated there are only 5000 Piping Plover left in the world. Thanks for visiting our site and tell your friends about us.

A Video Program featuring Shorebird Management

Three video clips of Chaplin Lake, 3 to 5 minutes in length, are available for viewing below. To view these clips the free Real Player software must be installed in your computer. These videos are made available through funding support from SaskPower.

Title	Author	Speed 56K | Cable
"Food Source"	Loney Dickson , researcher and Dave Gleim, Chaplin resident	|
"Land Management for Shorebirds"	Loney Dickson , researcher and Marie Mckay , local land owner	|
"Bird Banding"	Alan Smith, researcher	|

Please note: The Saskatchewan Wetland Conservation Corporation referred to in these videos has undergone a name change and is now a part of the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority.

For further information on Chaplin Lake, contact:

Clem Millar
Box 30
Chaplin, Saskatchewan
S0H 0V0
(306) 395-2223

Information on the Quill Lakes can be obtained from:

Quill Lakes Tourism Information
Box 963
Wynyard Saskatchewan
S0A 4T0
(306) 554-2123