Raven Island National Wildlife Area
Raven Island National Wildlife Area (NWA), in Saskatchewan, is an important area for waterfowl and other birds.
Description
Raven Island National Wildlife Area (NWA) lies in the Aspen Parkland Eco-region in the southern part of Lenore Lake and the Lenore Lake Migratory Bird Sanctuary. It is around 140 kilometres (km) northeast of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
The lake is primarily an open water body with emergent aquatic vegetation limited to protected bays. It depends on runoff from many small creek channels in the area. The lake is subject to severe water level fluctuations. Low-lying grasslands and mudflats provide uncommon habitat that is ideal for nesting birds.
The NWA is joined to the mainland during periods of drought, when water levels drop in Lenore Lake. Trembling aspen and willow grow along the west side. Patches of rose and snowberry are scattered around the perimeter of the island. Half the island was previously cultivated land, but has been re-seeded to dense nesting cover. Stands of bulrush and some cattail and whitetop are found near the sheltered east shore.
Lenore Lake is an important breeding, moulting and staging area for waterfowl. It is also a breeding, feeding or nesting place for:
- songbirds
- grebes
- terns
- gulls
- cormorants
- pelicans
- great blue herons
Birds that nest on Raven Island during the summer are:
- Canada geese
- ducks
- songbirds
Many other species use it during spring and fall migration.
Find more information on Raven Island NWA in the summary table below.
Management
Under the Canada Wildlife Act, NWAs are protected and managed in accordance with the Wildlife Area Regulations. The primary purpose of NWAs is to protect and conserve wildlife and wildlife habitat. For this purpose and according to the legislation, all activities in a NWA that could interfere with the conservation of wildlife can be prohibited. Consequently, most NWAs are not accessible to the public and all other activities are prohibited in all NWAs. However, some activities may be authorized through Schedule I.1 of the Wildlife Area Regulations or the issuance of permits as long as they are consistent with the management plan goals for the NWA. For more information, consult the NWA Management and Activities section.
Access to Raven NWA is restricted. Activities, however, may be permitted in accordance with the conservation objectives of the NWAs management plan. Any authorized activities are listed in Schedule I.1 of the Wildlife Area Regulations; signage is also posted at access points.
Authorized activities listed in Schedule I.1 of the Wildlife Area Regulations for Raven Island NWA, include:
- Wildlife viewing
- Hiking
- Non-commercial berry picking
- Boat launching and landing
- Sport fishing, except with a commercial guide, in accordance with any applicable federal permit and any authorization required by the laws of Saskatchewan for sport fishing in that province
- Activities referred to in items 1 to 5 during the hour before sunrise and the hour after sunset, in addition to during the period referred to in subsection 3.1(3)
To protect nesting birds, these are prohibited:
- swimming
- camping
- use of on-road or off-road vehicles
Wildlife observation from boats or the adjacent mainland is encouraged. The only allowances possible are for emergencies. This includes boaters experiencing mechanical difficulties and dangerous weather conditions.
More information on access and permitting for Raven NWA can be obtained by contacting the Environment and Climate Change Canada regional office.
Map of the area
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Long description
This map shows Lenore Lake and the surrounding area in central Saskatchewan. The boundaries of Raven Island NWA and Lenore Lake Migratory Bird Sanctuary are shown. Both protected areas are located west of Highway 368. The bird sanctuary covers the entirety of Lenore Lake including Raven Island. The wildlife area covers the majority of Raven Island and a small portion of the surrounding water. The scale on the map is in kilometers. Permanent water, intermittent water, roads and highways are indicated on the map. A small inset national map situates the NWA’s location in Canada.
This map is for illustrative purposes only and should not be used to define legal boundaries.
Summary table
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Protected Area designation | NWA |
| Province/territory | Saskatchewan |
| Latitude/longitude | 52°30' North / 105°00' West |
| Size | 93.5 ha |
| Reason for creation of protected area | To improve the value of Lenore Lake as a Migratory Bird Sanctuary |
| Date created (Gazetted) | 1988 - Legal Description |
| International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Management Category | Habitat / Species Management Area (IV) |
| Additional designations |
|
| Main habitat type |
|
| Listed Species under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) | Birds: Amphibians:
|
| Invasive species | Noxious:
Nuisance:
Non-native/agricultural:
|
| Additional species | Birds:
|
| Main threats and challenges |
|
| Management Agency | Environment and Climate Change Canada (Canadian Wildlife Service) |
| Public access and usage | Authorized activities listed in Schedule I.1 of the Wildlife Area Regulations for Raven Island NWA, include:
To protect nesting birds, these are prohibited:
|
Note: If there is a discrepancy between the information presented on this web page, any notice posted at the NWA site and the law, the law prevails, as it is the legal instrument authorizing the activity.
Contact us
Environment and Climate Change Canada - Prairie and Northern Region
Canadian Wildlife Service
Protected Areas and Stewardship Unit
115 Perimeter Road
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
S7N 0X4
Toll-free: 1-800-668-6767 (in Canada only)
Email: enviroinfo@ec.gc.ca
Related links
- Raven Island NWA management plan
- Raven Island NWA pamphlet
- Raven Island NWA on Google Maps (Please note that the Google map is a complementary source of information and does not represent the official map or site name)
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