April Program
Reflections on Peregrine/human Interactions Throughout History
With Lynn Oliphant

7:30 PM Thursday, April 18, 2024
In person and online!
Rm #1130 E-wing Health Sciences Bld, U of S

The peregrine falcon is unique in many respects: it is the most widely distributed among all birds of prey and perhaps among all vertebrate species; it is often considered to be the “fastest” animal on the planet; it is a world icon for conservation; it has an association with mankind that spans thousands of years being associated with some of the most famous names in history ranging from the Kublai Khan to Mary Queen of Scots; it has, in different places and times, been among the most persecuted and most protected of any species. In 1975, Bob Rafuse, Tom Donald and I wrote an article entitled The Peregrine Falcon- Past, Present and Future (Blue Jay 33:43-50) during the height of the concern over the decline of many peregrine populations. Much has transpired over the intervening half-century, both with the peregrine and human civilization and highlights of this history will be examined in detail including truths, half-truths and outright lies. This will be an exploration of the history, ecology and politics of the peregrine from a personal point of view.

Lynn Oliphant is a professor emeritus having taught at the UofS Veterinary College for nearly 30 years. He came to Saskatoon in 1971 and currently lives on a quarter-section of native parkland near Saskatoon with his veterinarian wife, Rhonda Shewfelt and an assortment of carnivorous mammals and birds. He has had a life-long commitment to the idea of sustainability and lives in a self-built, strawbale house, powered by solar panels, drives an electric car and with Rhonda grows much of their own food. Lynn has run both federally and provincially for the Green Parties in previous elections.

 Lynn holds a PhD in Zoology and was involved in the restoration of the peregrine falcon population in Canada and the U.S. heading up the Saskatchewan Cooperative Breeding Project, a consortium consisting of the Saskatchewan Falconry Association, the University of Saskatchewan and what was then the Wildlife Branch of the provincial Department of Environment. This project bred and released over 500 peregrines back into the wild during the 80s and 90s. Lynn continues to fly peregrine falcons in the sport of falconry every year. He has been involved in many conservation and environmental groups both locally and internationally and has been the recipient of several awards from various groups including Nature Saskatchewan, the Meewasin Valley Authority and the Canadian Geographic Society. He was instrumental in setting up the Craik Sustainable Living Project which developed a world-wide reputation before tragically going down in flames.

Lynn believes that it is increasingly obvious that the path we are currently on is not sustainable. Whether it is the loss of biodiversity, the changing climate, or the instability of our economic systems, all indicators are pointing towards this fact. He believes that Canada is in a unique situation to model “sustainability” for the rest of the world. Canada has a huge land base blessed with rich resources, a relatively small population that is well educated, and a growing awareness of a need to change direction. Lynn wants to see Canada become the first truly sustainable country in the hope that future generations will be able to prosper in a rich, healthy, vibrant environment.

All members who have registered an email address with SNS will receive an email containing the link to join the meeting through Zoom. If you have not registered an email address with us, but would like to do so, please contact Claire Bullaro at c.bear@sasktel.net

Tracking Migratory Birds:Where Do They Really Fly? – Ernesto Carman

September 2022

Wetland Drainage and its Impacts on Biodiversity in the Prarie and Parkland Region of Canada

Kiel Drake

February 2022

Monthly Meetings and Speaker Programme

Listen, learn, and share ideas with people who are passionate about our natural world! 

SNS offers a monthly speaker programme from September to April on the third Thursday of the month. All meetings are live streamed through Zoom.

During the fall and spring months presentations will be in hybrid format: speakers will present live at in-person meetings while being simultaneously streamed through Zoom. During winter months speakers may be streamed from outside the Saskatoon region and on these occasions, there will be no in-person meeting.

All are welcome to attend these meetings either in-person or through Zoom. Look for details about each month’s meeting in the SNS membership newsletter, confirming any in-person meeting time and place. A reminder email with the meeting details and Zoom link will be sent to each member whose current email address is on file.

Non-members who wish to attend through Zoom should provide their name and email address to Claire Bullaro at c.bear@sasktel.netfor each meeting. Please consider becoming a member of the Saskatoon Nature Society if you wish to receive the Zoom link automatically each month.

In person meetings are held on the University of Saskatchewan Campus and are thus subject to the university’s rules regarding COVID restrictions. At present, masks and social distancing are encouraged but not required. We will not be providing shared refreshments, so please bring your own drinks and snacks.

The monthly meetings include announcements from the SNS president. If you have an announcement or notice, please contact the president at least 2 days before the meeting.