Story by Monica Iglecia and Laura Chamberlin
Chaplin Lake, in southwest Saskatchewan, is the second largest saline lake in Canada. Shorebirds have made southwest Saskatchewan their home during migration and breeding for ages, but knowledge of this area’s importance to shorebird biologists is more recent.
In the 1980s, as scientists across the Americas were responding to declines in shorebird populations, biologists with the Canadian Wildlife Service flew across southern Saskatchewan in search of large groups of northbound shorebirds. As they peered down on Chaplin Lake one spring, they saw tens of thousands of shorebirds lift off of the salt ponds. The researchers landed and connected with Saskatchewan Minerals in hopes of gaining access to the site and support to continue their monitoring efforts – thus beginning the long-term partnership between the researchers and the company. In 1997, with bird observation data in hand and Saskatchewan Minerals on board, Chaplin Lake was designated as a WHSRN Site of Hemispheric Importance in combination with the adjacent Old Wives and Reed Lakes (also both saline lakes).
Beginning as a crown company under the name Saskatchewan Minerals in 1958, the current owners of the business are a private firm, Saskatchewan Mining and Minerals. Today, employees manage a complex system of ponds that produce high quality sodium sulfate that is sold to Canadian and international customers. The sodium sulfate is used in a variety of products including in detergents, pulp and paper, textiles, and mineral feed for livestock.
Since the documentation of the large numbers of shorebirds at the site and the recognition of the importance of the region, Saskatchewan Minerals and now Saskatchewan Mining and Minerals have provided ongoing access for research, support for the development of the Chaplin Nature Centre, and continue to help the Nature Centre’s public outreach efforts and educational tours around the property.
Left: An American Avocet statue stands tall outside the Chaplin Nature Centre surrounded by flags of other countries that share the same shorebirds. Right: The Chaplin Nature Centre is an inviting place for locals and long-distance travelers on the Trans-Canada highway to stop and visit. Photos: Monica Iglecia.
“At Saskatchewan Mining and Minerals we recognize the need to balance our economic activity with the needs of the local environment. With strong support throughout our organization, awareness of our environmental footprint has become ingrained in our corporate culture. It is a real source of pride. It’s impossible not to be impressed with nature when out operating on the lake system you see waves and waves of shorebirds busy feeding! It is an amazing sight and one I never get tired of. The voluntary groups within the local community, as well as government organizations, are very easy to work with. They are high energy people who care deeply about the area. They make it very easy for us to stay actively involved.” Brent Avery, General Manager, Saskatchewan Mining and Minerals
The company’s continued efforts to maintain both sodium sulfate production and the environment is also evidenced through their collaboration with Ducks Unlimited to jointly manage local freshwater resources.
Just as Chaplin Lake is an oasis to shorebirds, the Chaplin Nature Centre is an oasis for people as it is well situated along the Trans-Canada highway. Offering respite on a long journey, you can explore the natural history exhibits, hop on a shuttle bus tour to visit the saline lake, learn about brine shrimp, marvel at migratory shorebirds, and perhaps even view the endangered Piping Plover.
Left: During northbound migration, Sanderlings feed and rest in the Chaplin Lake region before heading to the Arctic tundra to breed. Right: A Sanderling captures a brine shrimp in the salt ponds of Chaplin Lake. Photos: Brad Winn.
“By working together with Saskatchewan Mining and Minerals, we have been able to research and protect this important natural resource for migratory shorebirds and ensure these birds have the habitat they need during northbound and southbound migration to and from the Arctic. Visiting the interior of Chaplin Lake, where one can truly enjoy the splendor of shorebird migration, would not otherwise be possible without the partnership with the mine. The continued management of the roadways and support of the Nature Centre help us bring the interested public to learn about this important region” – Lori Wilson, Chaplin Nature Centre.
In the Americas, more than one third of shorebird species use habitat provided by saline lakes, including sites that are used for salt production. Many WHSRN sites have saline lakes and wetlands, with at least 15 WHSRN sites having salt production. In fact, two of these sites, Great Salt Lake in Utah, United States and Marismas Nacionales, in Nayarit and Sinaloa, Mexico, have been formally linked with Chaplin Lake for over 20 years.
The initiative, known as Linking Communities, connects site partners and their respective communities. Linking partners have focused on collaboration in three key program areas— education, ecotourism, and conservation. By working with these sites, Chaplin Lake partners have been able to share their successes and learn from others, taking their conservation action and education beyond Saskatchewan, following the migration of “their” birds.
Check out this related story from Manomet’s Shorebird Science blog:
Shorebirds in the Prairies and the Value of Being in the Same Place Twice
Cover Photo: Sanderling roost in southwest Saskatchewan. Photo: Brad Winn.
