The Government of Saskatchewan is announcing the creation of a new park in the Porcupine Hills area, the second new provincial park created in the last five years.
The Porcupine Hills area, located southeast of the Town of Hudson Bay, boasts great camping and fishing. Snowmobiling and other winter activities are popular throughout the winter months. The Porcupine Hills area is a place like no other to relax, enjoy the scenery, go berry picking, or simply walk or hike. “Designating this new provincial park is an exciting opportunity for our province,” Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Gene Makowsky said. “As an area known for its natural beauty, this new provincial park will ensure it remains available for camping, fishing, hunting and many more of Saskatchewan’s best-known outdoor activities for generations to come.”
Consultations with local First Nations and Métis people and local stakeholders began in 2011 to share information and identify concerns. While some parks within the provincial park system offer recreation and camping with all the modern conveniences, the new park will focus on protecting the region’s natural beauty and ensuring the landscape and cultural value of the land is preserved. The Porcupine Hills are significant for First Nations and Métis people who have traditionally used the area. The new park will respect all Treaty and traditional uses, protect natural and cultural resources and provide year-round recreational opportunities. Hunting and fishing will continue to be managed as they are now, campgrounds will stay small and simple, and First Nations and Métis people will continue to celebrate their cultures and carry out traditional use activities. With the designation of the new park, a total of 29,800 hectares (73,637 acres) will be protected as park land, contributing to Canada’s Target 1 to conserve at least 17 per cent of the nation’s terrestrial areas and inland water bodies by 2020. The new park will incorporate five existing provincial recreation sites including McBride Lake, Saginas Lake, Pepaw Lake, Parr Hill Lake and Woody River. As implementation of the park proceeds, local stakeholders will have direct input into formalizing a vision for the park and long-term management planning.
Sources: http://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/news-and-media/2017/november/01/new-provincial-park
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