(submitted photo/Saskatchewan Polytechnic) 

By Alison Sandstrom

International acclaim

Hannin Creek Centre recognized by United Nations

Jan 20, 2021 | 3:12 PM

The Hannin Creek Education and Applied Research Centre on the shores of Candle Lake has been recognized with an award from the United Nations.

The centre earned a Global Acknowledged Flagship Project certificate for its role in addressing the UN’s sustainable development goal #15: to protect, restore and promote the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.

The Hannin Creek Centre is a partnership between Saskatchewan Polytechnic and the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation (SWF). As the only boreal forest field station in the province – and one of only two in the Canada – it serves as an important site for research in disciplines including forestry, fisheries, wildlife, conservation law, and environmental, civil and water resources engineering technology.

Current areas of focus include climate change, overpopulation, deforestation, urbanization and economic austerity, Saskatchewan Polytechnic said in a media release.

“Sustainability is one of Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s core values,” Dr. Larry Rosia, Sask Polytech president and CEO, said in the release. “We are deeply honoured that the centre has achieved this global recognition, and would like to thank all those who have, and those who continue to contribute to making the centre such a unique and inspiring place to learn and conduct applied research.”

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Chelsea Walters, SWF director of communications and marketing, told paNOW this is actually the second time the centre has been recognized by an award from the United Nations’ Global Regional Centre of Expertise Network.

“Coming from a smaller province it’s an amazing accomplishment to be internationally recognized,” Walters said.

Asked about the centre’s most important contributions to conservation or sustainability during its over 50-year history, Walters said it was the cumulative effect of the centre’s work she takes pride in.

“Sask. Wildlife has done a lot of youth camps and conservation programs there,” she explained. “And Sask. Poly has done a bunch of work training this next generation of professionals who are going to undergo this sustainable development work in our province.”

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alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom