There are more than 2.4 million caribou in Canada. Some dwell in forests, some in mountains, some migrate each year between the sparse forests and tundra of the far north, and others remain on the tundra all year. The woodland caribou is the largest of the caribou subspecies. It is found throughout much of the boreal, or northern, forests from British Columbia and the Yukon Territory to Newfoundland and Labrador.

Since the woodland caribou was listed under the Species at Risk Act as threatened in June of 2003, Saskatchewan has been quietly working to help assure the species self-sustainability. By understanding the species, the population status, and its habitat, the province has been developing strategies and range plans to improve its conditions.

This month’s presentation will explore the characteristics of the woodland caribou, its biological requirements, threats to its self-sustainability, and what is being done to achieve and maintain a self-sustaining woodland caribou population while still allowing for continued economic activity in northern Saskatchewan.

The presenter will be Michael McLaughlan, RPF. Michael is a registered professional forester who has been with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment for 25 years and currently works in Fish, Wildlife & Lands branch as a conservation specialist.

All members who have registered an email address will receive information by email on how to join the Zoom meeting. For those who do not have the technology to use Zoom, we hope that you will be able to join someone in your close social group. If you have not registered an email address but would like to do so, please do as soon as possible (contact c.bear@sasktel.net). If you do not use email or if you have any questions, please contact Blair McCann at president@saskatoonnature.org or 306-653- 2958.