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 km 2 49 o N 107 o W

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 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.1 st ) East Block Party sleepover and hike (August 6 th and 7 th ) Have Yourself a Prairie Little Christmas lantern hike and Christmas concert (Nov 26 th and 27 th, 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 '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 900km 2 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 19 th, 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 date unknown  Grasslands National Park: “Landmark: Swift Current”. Southwest Saskatchewan Bed & Breakfast, Inn, Lodge and Cottage Directory.17 May CanVisit. 17 May 2006  Location: Canada. Parks Canada. Prairie Ecozone. 17 May 2006 October  Location (Cont.): Canada. Henderson, Darcy. Entomological opportunities in Grasslands National Park – an invitation. 17 May January 2006  History of the Park: Canada. Parks Canada. Geological and Paleontological History. 17 May January 2005  Flora: Mosquin, Daniel. Botany Photo of the Day. 17 May September 2005  Fauna: Canada. Tourism Saskatchewan. Provincial Animal. 17 May 2006 date unknown  The Unique Park: Canada. Parks Canada. Natural Wonders and Cultural Treasures. 17 May January 2005  Services and Programs: Faces of Faith and Drama. 17 May Date unknown  Why a National Park?: Canada. FM Designs. your Questions for the Candidates. 17 May

Bibliography (Cont.) Information:  Canada. Parks Canada. How to Get There. 28 July May 2006  Canada. Parks Canada. Hazards and Safety. 12 January May 2006  Canada. Parks Canada. Weather. 12 January May 2006  Canada. Parks Canada. Services. 12 January May 2006  Canada. Parks Canada. The Canadian Protected Heritage System. 12 January May 2006  Canada. Parks Canada. The Mixed Grass Prairie Ecosystem. 12 January May 2006  Canada. Parks Canada. Endangered Species and Spaces. 12 January May 2006  Canada. Parks Canada. Geological and Paleontological History. 12 January May 2006  Canada. Parks Canada. Human-Land Relationships – Human History. 12 January May 2006  Canada. Parks Canada. Heritage Programs and Activities - Opportunities For Discovery. 28 July May 2006  Canada. Parks Canada. Frenchman River Valley Ecotour. 12 January May 2006  Canada. Parks Canada. Prairie Notes. 22 August May 2006  Canada. The Atlas of Canada. National Parks. 18 August May 2006  (Ontario ) Canada. Digital Wizards.The Parks/Saskatchewan/Grasslands/Grasslands National Park. 17 May  “Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan.” Date unknown. 17 May 2006  Canada. Environment Canada. Sprague’s Pipit. 14 February May 2006  Canada. Parks Canada. Establishing the Park. 22 August May 2006  “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