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A rare plant discovery near Macklin has given the Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan an opportunity to learn more about an unusually diverse and healthy stretch of grassland.
The society recently spent about a week surveying a property in the Macklin area as part of its Rare Plants and Ranchers program, following the discovery of smooth goosefoot.
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Smooth Goosefoot, a provincially rare plant and federal species at risk that was found in the Macklin area. (Hilary Pinchbeck/Submitted to WestCentralOnline)
Chet Neufeld, executive director of the Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan, said the discovery was noteworthy because the plant is typically found farther south in the province.
“The discovery of smooth goosefoot in the Macklin area was pretty noteworthy because that species is found in Saskatchewan usually south of that area.” he said.
Nature Saskatchewan initially confirmed the plant’s identity and searched the area to determine the extent of the occurrence before passing the information along to the Native Plant Society. The society then worked with the landowners and land managers through its Rare Plants and Ranchers program.
The work involved more than simply locating smooth goosefoot.
Neufeld said the society’s crew conducted range and riparian health assessments, examining the overall condition of the landscape and the plant community.
“We do range and riparian health assessments just to look at how that area is functioning. Is it healthy, is it not? Are there issues like invasive species? What is the plant community made of? What types of species are growing there?” he explained.
The information collected is used both to better understand the rare plant and to provide useful information to the landowners managing the property.
Neufeld said finding a rare species can also be a positive indication of how the land has been managed.
“If you have a plant that’s rare, like smooth goosefoot which is not only provincially rare but it’s a species at risk in Canada and considered threatened … that means you’re doing something right, otherwise it would have been wiped out.”
Conducting a range health assessment on a sandy prairie near Macklin. (Hilary Pinchbeck/Submitted to WestCentralOnline).
Pristine conditions found near Macklin
The survey found the smooth goosefoot growing in a diverse and healthy area, with few apparent threats to the population.
“What we found was that the area that it’s growing in is very diverse and very healthy.” Neufeld explained.
He said that was particularly encouraging because the Rare Plants and Ranchers program covers almost 140,000 acres across Saskatchewan, and threats such as development and invasive species are commonly found during assessments.
“Usually, it’s invasive species, but you expect to find something. When we went to this smooth goosefoot population in the Macklin area, it was pristine. It was fantastic.”
The survey also turned up several other species of interest.
Yellow twayblade, a provincially rare orchid found during surveys conducted in the Macklin area by Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan staff. (Hilary Pinchbeck/Submitted to WestCentralOnline)
In addition to smooth goosefoot, the crew found provincially rare native orchids and a provincially rare lichen.
Neufeld said the lichen was an unexpected but interesting discovery, particularly because sandy prairie is not an environment where people might typically expect to find any.
“It was kind of a neat find,” he said.
The crew also encountered rare insects during the survey, although Neufeld said those discoveries were incidental to the society’s work with plants.
A closer look at smooth goosefoot
Smooth goosefoot, or Chenopodium subglabrum, is an annual plant that can grow between 10 and 50 centimetres tall. The plant is yellowish-green and has a somewhat skeletal appearance, with few leaves and potentially numerous branches.
The species is found in sandy habitats across the western half of Saskatchewan, with its habitat including partially vegetated and stabilized sand along the edges of dunes and blowouts.
The Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan lists smooth goosefoot as threatened nationally, while its provincial status is listed as vulnerable, rare to uncommon.
Anyone who believes they have spotted smooth goosefoot is encouraged to not pick the plant. Instead, the Native Plant Society recommends taking close-up photographs, using an object for scale and recording the plants’ location before contacting the society.
Wildflower patches like this native harebell are important for pollinators. (Hilary Pinchbeck/Submitted to WestCentralOnline)
Working with ranchers to protect rare species
The Rare Plants and Ranchers program is designed to work alongside landowners rather than impose management decisions on them.
The society gathers information about the property, including grazing practices, cattle numbers, fencing and other aspects of land mangement.
The information is then used to develop a management plan that the landowner can review and suggest changes to before a final plan is completed.
Neufeld said the goal is to provide recommendations that benefit both the rare species and the ranching operation.
“Generally, they’re win-win situations for the pasture.” he said. “We would never recommend anything that would impact their operation, keep in mind these plans are approved by the landowner.”
In some cases, the society can also provide financial assistance for beneficial management practices.
Neufeld said that could include helping cover half the cost of fencing or supporting the installation of solar watering systems designed to help manage cattle movement across a pasture.
The relationship with participating landowners doesn’t end after the initial survey.
The society remains available to answer questions and plans to return to participating properties approximately every four or five years to collect the same information and compare changes over time.
“In the case of the Macklin pasture, we were out there for about a week,” Neufeld said. “We do collect a lot of information just to make sure we’ve got the whole picture.”
He said the consistent approach allows the society to track changes and make adjustments to management plans when necessary.
Anyone interested in learning more about native plants or getting involved with the Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan can follow the organizations social media pages, where volunteer opportunities are posted throughout the year.
The society also has a website where people can learn more about its programs and become members. Members receive a quarterly newsletter with information about upcoming opportunities and events.
Neufeld said people don’t need to be experts to participate.
“We’re not looking for biologists, just anybody who wants to learn more and wants to come out with us.” he said.
— with files from CJME News
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