Residents of Saskathuwan raise $ 103,000 with SGI Rebate Fund to acquire grasslands

This week is a special moment when a group of Saskathuwan residents andCanada Nature Reservecelebrate the unveiling of thegrasslandparcels they have acquired. was. Use cloud-funded money.

The fundraising activity was named Field of Dreams, and the organizer Marc Spooner had an idea whenSGIannounced that it would issue arebate checkto its customers. Was born.

"I knew that for many people they would need money to achieve their goals and buy important things like food and rent," Spooner told Global News. Told.

"But for some of us in a position where such an unexpected amount could be spent on a nice meal, a bottle of gorgeous wine, etc., what if we pool that money? I thought I did something together. "

From there the Facebook group" Something with SGI Rebate "Let's do it" was born and later became "Dream field: Let's do it" Something with our SGI rebate / donation. '

The group brainstormed where they could best offer money before embarking on the idea of ​​protecting parts of the grasslands.

Read more:Raise $ 76,000 for Saskathuwan Prairie through SGI Rebate Fundraising

NCC Consider the grasslands as one of the most endangered ecosystems and important parts of the state in the world.

Meadow filters water, prevents floods and droughts, and isolates carbon.

Over the last 25 years, the state has lost more than 809,000 hectares of native grassland, and now less than 20% remain intact, according to the NCC. The

group managed to raise $ 103,500, with a total of 403 contributions.

According to Spooner, the NCC was able to raise enough money to buy 629 hectares of assets in the grasslands.

Margaret Smith, Norman and Sophie Headford real estate also contributed to the purchase.

SGI did not make any corporate donations to the project, but spokesperson Tyler McMurchy said the Field of Dreams was an "excellent grassroots campaign."

Trend Story

"What was great One rebate program was to put cash in the hands of people so they could decide what they could do with it, "says McMercy.

According to a press release from the NCC, the property named Lonetree Lake is about 1 hour and 45 minutes from Regina.

On Wednesday, members of the Field of Dreams group had the opportunity to walk through the land that helped protect them.

The group heard remarks from NCC Regional Vice President Jennifer McKillop, Spooner, and NCC Program Director Michael Burak.

There was also a story and teaching from Elder Pete Bigstone of Ocean Man First Nation.

Participants take two guided walking tours with a local rancher and Elder Bigstone, range.

McKillop said he was inspired by the idea when Spooner approached her last year.

"Sure, it was a time when everyone needed some inspiration, and it was a really inspirational project," McKillop told Global News.

McKillop explained that if the NCC has a private donor, it can be matched with other funds that require private funding to access it.

The Government of Canada has contributed significantly to this project through the Natural Heritage Conservation Program, which is part of the Canadian Nature Fund.

The Saskatchewan State Government also made a donation through the Fish and Wildlife Fund. According to the NCC, the project is also supported by the US Department of Fish and Wildlife.

"Without our funds, we cannot unlock these sources of funding, so it is very important and it is very important for us to receive such support. It's worth it, "says McKillop.

McKillop said the NCC must use a science-based approach to identify priorities and meet certain criteria, such as inhabiting endangered species. ..

Read more:Saskathuwan's world-famous bird migration area protected by the Canadian Nature Reserve

NCC says that this property is listed in "Canada'sRisky Species Act" It's also a shelter for living things. " ”

This includes digging owls (endangered species), piping prover (endangered species), loggerhead shrike (threatening), barn swallows (threatening), American anagma (special concern). ), Northern leopard frog (special concern).

For over 7 years at the NCC, McKillop said he had never been involved in such a project.

"There are people who donate money to protect the grasslands from all over Canada, but it's really special to receive donations from people who live in Saskathuwan because they want to protect the grasslands."

© 2022 GlobalNews, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.