This document summarizes conservation education efforts in the Rural Municipality of Lumsden #189 in Saskatchewan over the past century. It outlines numerous historical examples of conservation education projects led by organizations in the area since 1905. These include establishing nature sanctuaries, conducting environmental studies, implementing sustainable building practices, creating conservation plans, and forming community groups. Most recently, the Lumsden Valley Community Association published a Conservation Strategy Report in 2010 with the goal of balancing conservation and development in the region.

1. Conservation Education: Local Example(s)
- Presented at EECOM June 9, 2011, @ U of R; by Barry Mitschke, Secretary-Treasurer,
Lumsden Valley Community Association (LuVCA); bmitschke@sasktel.net ;
306-731-3681 ph/message/fax; Box 450, Lumsden, SK S0G 3C0
Conservation Education (CE) is a sub-set of Environmental Education
(EE). (Reference: Owen, O. S. (1985, 4th/ 2009, 10th) Natural Resource
Conservation. An Ecological Approach/Management for a Sustainable
Future.) EE can be accomplished formally (educational institutions),
non-formally (government programs), and informally (organizations &
individuals) by a process/strategy/philosophy that the presenter calls
AUCCA (AWARENESS, UNDERSTANDING, CONCERN,
COMMITMENT, and ACTION; and then, after assessment and
reflection this process recycles.) Apply it to your lifestyle in and for the
environment!
The setting/geography for the “Local Example(s)” is the Rural
Municipality of Lumsden #189, north of Regina, SK. (See the display of
maps that zoom into the area.) Historically, as outlined in this hand-out,
there have been many examples of CE elements achieved in the RM (by
using AUCCA). The PowerPoint (see last bullet) will review the major,
recent example by LuVCA, its Conservation Strategy Report (CSR).
Historical Examples:
• 1905- : Lumsden Beach Camp focusing on Creation, Nature and Christian stewardship.
Sustaining ……. Contact: www.lumsdenbeachcamp.com/
• 1945- : Regina Natural History Society rents Hidden Valley; in 1954, the 320 acre (1/2
section) conservation area was purchased; the wildlife sanctuary continues …….. Contact: now
Nature Regina http://nonprofits.accesscomm.ca/rnhs/
• 1972-1985: the Canada-SK-MB Qu’Appelle Valley Study & Agreement. The first and
only multi-level, comprehensive study. Many of the 62 recommendations were implemented
to control development and improve the Valley environment relating to water quality and land
use, tourism and recreation, and administration; e.g.s, Regina Tertiary Sewage Treatment Plant
(phosphate removal); Valeport Wildlife Management Area established. Contact: documents at
the Legislative Library, Regina, and in various private libraries.
• 1982- : Mitschke’s conservation house: earth-sheltered; passive solar; energy efficient;
rainwater cisterns; compost toilets; xeriscaping; etc. --- lifestyle continues! Tours given.
Windmill in 2009.

2. • 1984-85: Ducks Unlimited partnership in Valeport March area. Contact: www.ducks.ca/sk
• 1997- : Barry Mitschke starts writing “Valley Views”, a monthly column for the Regional
Waterfront Press, Lumsden dealing with natural history, ecology, and conservation.
• 1998- : Trans-Canada Trail group formed and segments in the Town and Valley
established; 2010 signage upgraded. Contact: www.lumsden.ca (Chris Exner or Gary
Howland)
• 2000- : Rhonda Phillips starts teaching AP Environmental Science at Lumsden High
School, and has lead & leads many other EE projects. Contact: rhonda.phillips@pvsd.ca
• 2000; 2008- (revising): R.M. of Lumsden #189 Development Plan & Zoning Regulations;
includes some “conservation’ statements, but their implementation is “iffy”. LuVCA
influencing revisions. Contact: www.lumsden.ca/rm189
• 2002; 2010- (revising): Town of Lumsden. Basic Planning Statement; wants a sustainable
community; includes Environmental Protection Areas (EPA). Contact: www.lumsden.ca
• 2003- : Last Mountain Lake Stewardship Group established to educate people about lake
health and stewardship. Contact: www.lmlsg.ca
• 2004-2008- : Upper Qu’Appelle & Wascana Creek Watersheds Source Water Protection
Plan. A major study with 87 recommendations prioritized for implementation from 2007-2013
and beyond. Contact: upperquappellewascanaplan@swa.ca
• 2005- : Dr. Stephen Davis establishes a MAPS (Monitoring Avian Productivity &
Survivorship) bird-banding site near Craven. Contact: stephen.davis@ec.gc.ca
• 2006- : Lumsden Valley Community Association (LuVCA) formed to promote conservation
education and influence public policy; let’s try to balance conservation vs. development!
Contact: Gary Howland or Barry Mitschke
• 2007-2010- : Howland & Gaube & Bintner establish three NCC easements in the Cottonwood
Creek. The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) along with $ aid from the provincial and
federal governments purchase a chunk of the proposed Big Valley development; this
conservation area was expanded in 2009. More in 2011. Contact: www.natureconservancy.ca
• 2008-2009: “Keep the Coulees” group successfully prevents development into a Lumsden
(town) coulee, zoned EPA. Contact: maderbd@sasktel.net
• 2010: LuVCA publishes a major Report, A Conservation Strategy for the Qu’Appelle
Valley System in the Rural Municipality of Lumsden. Contact the President: Gary Howland
gmhowland@sasktel.net for an electronic version. Gary presented the Report as a PowerPoint
at a University of Regina Environment Series Seminar on February 15, 2011; he will present
again at a special invitational seminar on “Regional Planning & Conservation” coordinated by
the Canadian Plains Research Centre (CPRC), U of R on June 16, 2011. (Print copy of the CS
Report free to new members; get an application from bmitschke@sasktel.net .)