Beyond Your Backyard - Tatawaw "There Is Room For Everyone, Welcome"

By Kimberly J. Epp

The name Tatawaw, the new name for the formerly named Moose Jaw Wild Animal Park, means that there is room for everyone, species and humans alike. On Friday evening we had a very well attended presentation where we heard all about it.

Tiger Salamander, (photo by own Nick Saunders.)

The program dealt with not only the renaming, and the reasons behind it, but also how we could all live in harmony with the natural world which calls Tatawaw Park its home.

Would it not be great if we could now keep garbage from being dumped and the illegal off leash dog park come to an end?

Amazing capture. Get out and see our wildlife! Great Blue Heron make Tatawaw Park and the river their Sunmer home as well.

But we COULD welcome all - in the environmentally and friendly way native elders would have approved of. Enjoy the land, take nothing but photos, and do not steal from the land. It is right on Moose Jaw’s doorstep and ours to achieve.

If you missed our regular monthly meeting for the Moose Jaw Nature Society on Friday evening, you will have other times to show you care.

Listening to the talk at the Moose Jaw Nature Society regular member meeting on Friday evening. (Turn up the volume)

City Councillor, Crystal Froesse came out and reminded us of a community Spring clean up of the Tatawaw Park on May 19th at 10 am. Anyone who wants to come out and help clean up is more than welcome to come out and pitch in.

Councillor Froese said she will leave a bin out there for the public to use as they pick up garbage even after the pick-up. Sadly be warned as there are a lot of needles there, so wear leather gloves. Ticks, too. So wear deet, light clothing, and tuck your pants into your a.socks.

Some of the displays at Friday evening’s meeting

At our monthly meeting, Rich did a great job of demonstrating the cultural and natural history. He spoke about not only the animals in the park but also the various people who congregated there.

Rich Pickering giving his presentation on Friday evening

An authentic buffalo coat was on display

I always love a speaker whose program emphasizes conserving the land and its species! Tatawaw Park has many animal species who make their home there.

Western Painted Turtle. Yes, we have these. Please keep them in their natural habitat.(photo source unknown)

Kaylegh Olson spoke a bit about the stories told to her by her elders.

I fully recommend her, she s beginning her public speaking tour, and she has the personality which shows me how she can go far. Plus she loves animals. I recommend young people take her lead. Thanks, Kaghleigh. We love you, and I hope you come out on some of my tours.

Yes, stickleback dads care for the fry, and are in the Moose Jaw River.

These tours are the best way to learn about like minded people, and hopefully show you some new rehab centers...which is an idea you must want to think about. You and Lori are always wecome to come and visit as honorary members. Other people may join us as well.

Kandra Forbes,' parents own a sustainable bison ranch. This is what Tatawaw Park may have looked like years ago. (Photo by Kandra Forbes) Bison shaped the land, making it easier for many species to live together in harmony.

The videos speak to the main issue of the program. The more younger people who are involved, the better. If you have kids, be concerned for their "new normal,". We can fix this, as and adults I expect if you vote for your children you will.

Remember this, youth stole our future OR rather, WE stole THEIR future, so let's work together and come up with solutions. Name calling or blaming never helps.

Cougar family near the vostok. (Photo by Carl brebders.) Cougars are rarely seen in Tatawaw Park today

If you have any knowledge in insects, birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, water insects (you can help me!), plants, invasive plants...we need help this summer.

We do not want our jewel called Nature taken from us, any listing of threatened species we have a shot at preserving. Contact Kim Epp and Rich Pickering if you are interested. Send a message to Kim's Moose Jaw Nature Society Facebook page or kepp@shaw.ca Rich r.pickering@shaw.ca.

"We still have time, but that time is limited. It is up to you." Dr. Jane Goodall