For many years, the need for a flora of Saskatchewan has been recognized. Efforts have been made by many botanists several times to produce such a flora without success. The goals outlined by the Saskatchewan Naturalist's Club, formed in 1912, give a very early example of the recognized need for a Flora of Saskatchewan: "To compile and keep up to date a Saskatchewan flora" (Belcher, 1996, page 4). This need is no less evident than it was nearly a century ago. Students learning botany must piece together parts of floras from adjacent territories and deal with overly broad floras that make identifying plants tedious. A Flora of Saskatchewan would make learning the botany of Saskatchewan much easier, generate more interest in botany in Saskatchewan, and make the identification and study of Saskatchewan plants much more efficient.
Although many people greatly enjoy studying the plants of Saskatchewan, studying our region's botany is not simply a frivilous hobby. Our knowledge of the variation, distribution, and taxonomy of plants forms the basis of culture and cultural environment, of ecology, and the basic knowledge needed to manage our natural resources. To not have a Flora of Saskatchewan is to provide those studying the plants of Saskatchewan a distinct disadvantage compared to other areas that do have a regional flora. A flora of Saskatchewan would compile decades of study and expertise into a single, highly accessible volume.
New Efforts.
The Flora of Saskatchewan Project was started in 2003 by a volunteer group of Saskatchewan botanists. Support from the botanical community for this project is above and beyond any other previous effort. With the support of sponsors and the hard work of many volunteers, the project holds the promise of great success.
Many volunteers have signed up to administrate, research, write, and test the flora of Saskatchewan. When finished the completed volumes will be compiled to form the first Flora of Saskatchewan. The Flora of Saskatchewan will allow all botanists to easily learn and study the plants in our province.
References:
Belcher, Margaret. 1996. The Isabel Priestly Legacy: Saskatchewan Natural History Society 1949-1990. Special Publication No. 19. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan: Saskatchewan Natural History Society (Nature Saskatchewan).