Any previously cultivated land in Saskatchewan. Priority will be given to land close to existing grassland or critical habitat for species at risk and land with increased ability to store and sequester carbon.
Is there a required number of acres needed to place a bid for the project?
No, although larger projects have increased biodiversity value and will score higher in the bidding process over smaller ones.
Can the land be converted to any type of perennial cover?
The land must be converted to perennial cover using native plant species.
Can crown land be included in the project?
Yes, but it requires approval from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture.
How soon will I be contacted about the status of my bid?
We will inform bidders within 3 weeks of the auction closing date.
If my bid is successful, does the land need to be seeded in the same calendar year?
No, proper agronomic practices such as seedbed preparation, weed control, soil moisture availability must be taken into consideration prior to seeding.
What costs will the SSGF cover?
The SSGF is responsible for purchasing and supplying native seed mixture for the project. If the bidder is successful, SSGF will provide compensation to the producer for establishment and retention of native perennials for a minimum of 30 years.
What support do landowners receive when placing a bid?
SSGF will consult with landowners to go over all aspects and steps in placing a bid. This includes helping to determine all cost considerations and once complete, the landowner can place a calculated bid based on their operational needs to convert cultivated land back to native grassland.
How will the bids be compared?
We will use an Environmental Benefits Index to standardize and compare all bids placed. The three main criteria to compare are potential to store and sequester soil organic carbon, level of commitment to restore grasslands and biodiversity in and surrounding the land in question.
Is there any long term monitoring required for land in the project?
Monitoring will be carried out multiple times a year on the land to ensure project success. Communication with landowners will be forefront for when this monitoring needs to take place.
What will be monitored?
Aspects such as soil organic carbon, biodiversity attributes including soil parameters like pH and texture and vegetation components will be included. Wildlife monitoring may be applicable if land is habitat for species at risk or of interest.
What factors should a landowner consider when placing a bid?
Numerous factors need to be considered when placing a bid such as controlling invasive weeds, cost of seeding and land preparation, lost opportunities and many more. SSGF will consult with landowners to ensure appropriate bids are made.
How many years before land can be grazed?
Typically, grassland restoration projects require at least 1-2 years of grazing deferment for establishment. SSGF will provide technical assistance on grazing management and evaluation of range readiness for grazing.
What happens if the restoration is unsuccessful?
The producer is responsible for establishment. SSGF will provide technical advice on establishment if required, we encourage the producer to take out establishment insurance.
Can data collected on carbon soil and sequestration be used in the carbon offset credit program in the future?
All data collected will be available to landowners and the use of data collected on carbon may be used for the future carbon offset credit program depending on the program structure.
Are there any restrictions on land involved with this project?
SSGF will negotiate a legally binding Habitat Restoration Agreement with successful bidders. Specific restrictions may be unique to each agreement such as no draining of wetlands, no development of roads or yard sites, etc. The agreement will not be tied to the land title and are negotiated with landowners. Additional funding is available if the producer is interested in signing a Term Conservation Easement that is tied to the land title.