Saskatchewan Polytechnic and the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation Centre provides meaningful hands-on training and applied research opportunities
June 26, 2018 – For over 50 years, the educational facility at Hannin Creek has benefitted students and researchers across Saskatchewan by providing unique hands-on learning experiences. Today Saskatchewan Polytechnic and the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation celebrate the addition of a new boreal laboratory classroom and research complex at the Hannin Creek Education and Applied Research Centre.
“Thanks to a major investment from the Government of Canada, we are able to increase the education and training opportunities for Sask Polytech students, partners, industry, and all who do research at the Hannin Creek Education and Applied Research Centre, says Dr. Larry Rosia, Sask Polytech president and CEO. “We are grateful for the Government of Canada's investment, and for our partnership with the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation. There is no limit to the number and the type of enhanced learning and applied research opportunities, across numerous disciplines, including engineering, natural resources, and human services, that we will be able to provide in this exceptional facility.”
The Hannin Creek Education and Applied Research Centre, an equal partnership between Saskatchewan Polytechnic and the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation, is located on the shores of Candle Lake. As the only boreal forest field station in Saskatchewan, the Hannin Creek Centre is a unique place to study and conduct research in such diverse programs as forestry, fisheries, wildlife, conservation law, and environmental, civil and water resources engineering technology.
Sask Polytech students and instructors take advantage of the camp facilities for vital research and outdoor education courses. The Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation hosts many events at Hannin Creek, including their popular youth conservation camps, annual Women’s Outdoor Weekends and staff retreats. In the three months the new complex has been in use, it has been used by groups representing Environment Canada and provincial forest firefighters. Recently the Saskatchewan Deaf and Hard of Hearing Association held a camp for a group of First Nations children from the North.
In 2016 the Sask Polytech and Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation partnership behind Hannin Creek won a silver medal in the IPN-Global Best competition, sponsored by the Conference Board of Canada and the International Education Business Partnership Network. This international award celebrates educational programming and innovative partnerships.
Saskatchewan Polytechnic serves 28,000 distinct students through applied learning opportunities at campuses in Moose Jaw, Prince Albert, Regina and Saskatoon, and through extensive distance education opportunities. Programs serve every economic and public service sector. As a polytechnic, the organization provides the depth of learning appropriate to employer and student need, including certificate, diploma and degree programs, and apprenticeship training. Saskatchewan Polytechnic engages in applied research, drawing on faculty expertise to support innovation by employers, and providing students the opportunity to develop critical thinking skills.
The Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation is a non-profit, non-government, charitable organization of over 33,000 members in 122 branches across Saskatchewan representing every walk of life. Per capita, we are the largest wildlife conservation organization of its kind in the world. Established in 1929, the SWF has become an acknowledged leader in the conservation field.
