Managing the grasslands at Beaver Creek Conservation Area just got fluffier.

Renny Grilz with Meewasin says the public is invited out to site on Sunday for Meewasin’s annual sheep grazing demonstration. Jared Epp and his stock dogs will be leading the demonstration, which is free of charge and taking place at 2:00pm.

Grilz explains that grazing not only reduces woody shrub encroachment, but it also reduces wildfire risk and keeps prairie habitat open for grassland birds.

“A lot of different grassland birds require different levels of disturbance,” he explains. “A burrowing owl loves really short grasses, whereas other birds, like the Sprague’s pipit, which is another species at risk, likes medium height grass. So, what we’re trying to do is create patches of our grasslands into different habitats for different bird species.”

Grilz says the experience is free of charge, as the program is made possible by Environment Canada and BHP.

If you can’t make it out tomorrow at 2:00pm, Jared will be running the same demo on Sunday September 7th, as well as September 18-20 at the Northeast Swale.