The Canadian Forage and Grassland Association is pleased to sponsor the Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan’s (Sask PCAP) Native Prairie Speakers Series webinars. Join speaker Merek Wigness, a plant researcher with Agriculture Canada in Saskatoon as he speaks about the genetic legacy of the 1880s near extinction of Bison.

About this Webinar: The last 200 years of Bison history is a truly epic story. Bison narrowly missed going extinct in the 1880’s which would have been an unspeakable loss. Thankfully a diverse group of ranchers, First Nations, Government and NGOs were able to save bison from extinction. The recovery of the bison population has been one of the greatest success stories in conservation. However, modern bison retain a legacy from the near extinction event. Merek will speak about genetic diversity in Bison, the situation with the Woods and Plains subspecies, as well as the story of cattle introgression in Bison.

About the Speaker: Merek Wigness has worked in plant research with Agriculture Canada in Saskatoon for over 20 years. He has also been actively involved with Bison on his family bison ranch. Merek is Vice-President of the Saskatchewan Bison Association and a director with the Canadian Bison Association.

PCAP’s Native Prairie Speaker Series is a monthly webinar about prairie conservation or species at risk.

Hosted by: Caitlin Mroz-Sailer, Stewardship Coordinator, Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan.

We respectfully acknowledge that we are on the traditional territories of many Indigenous Nations and communities, past and present. For a millennia, they have worked to protect these landscapes and the life these areas sustain. I would like to thank these original caretakers, and acknowledge the ongoing work and presence of Indigenous Peoples in Canada today.

PCAP’s Native Prairie Speaker Series is a monthly webinar about prairie conservation or species at risk.