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Some plant and animal species are at risk due to non-sustainable practices. These require special short-term attention if we are to halt their continuing loss. Integrated resource management, or the process of blending environmental protection with economic activity, should prevent the creation of more species at risk over the longer term. How well we can do this will be assisted by the establishment of "representative areas".

Ecoregions of Saskatchewan
A	Selwyn Lake Upland
B	Tazin Lake Upland
C	Athabasca Plain
D	Churchill River Upland
E	Mid-Boreal Upland
F	Mid-Boreal Lowland
G	Boreal Transition
H	Aspen Parkland
K	Moist Mixed Grassland
M	Mixed Grassland
N	Cypress Upland

Our wildlife is being squeezed into fewer suitable habitats. Species such as sharp-tailed grouse, songbirds and woodland caribou have been decreasing in number. The current system of reserves, parks and wildlife habitat lands provide some relief for these and other species but are not adequate to sustain wildlife resources at a level that we have come to expect in Saskatchewan.

The developing representative areas network will consist of existing and new wildlife lands, parks, protected areas, bird sanctuaries, ecological reserves and community pastures. These areas will help to conserve our natural plant, animal and aquatic communities to ensure the rich and diverse variety of species in Saskatchewan is adequately protected. Representative areas will also serve as important benchmarks or reference points that will help us to monitor and manage ecosystems outside of the representative areas network. This will allow us to find out how well we are doing in managing our lands and resources.

The interdependence of humans and other living and non-living things within the ecosystem is recognized and considered in selecting and managing representative areas. Most areas will continue to be available for activities like hunting, trapping, angling, natural study and other similar outdoor recreation activities.

If it can be proven to a reasonable level of scientific certainty that logging, energy and mineral development can be carried out without causing long term ecological harm, these may also be considered within representative areas.

Taken collectively, representative areas, species at risk and integrated resource management approaches can lead to ecosystem-based sustainable development. Representative areas are only one key piece in the conservation of biological diversity.

Development of the representative areas network will be undertaken over the next three years. In combination with special recovery efforts for species that are already endangered or threatened and wise management of the entire landscape, the network will ensure that Saskatchewan people can continue to enjoy and benefit from the diversity of life in this province.