Classroom-inspired research into the issues impacting the biodiversity of the Northeast Swale led two Saskatoon Public Schools students to city council chambers.

Abhinav Menon and Kate Deptuch, Grade 7 students at Dr. John G. Egnatoff School, spoke at council's Oct. 28 meeting to voice their concern about the possible environmental impact of the proposed Saskatoon Freeway project.

The two students were part of a classroom group that researched the development and protection of the swale as part of a presentation for the City of Saskatoon's Student Action for a Sustainable Future program during the 2018-19 school year. The group examined the impact of the McOrmond Road extension that runs through the swale to the Chief Mistawasis Bridge, along with the proposed freeway development.

As part of that project, the students created a children's book to encourage other students to learn about the swale in the hope more youth would become passionate about protecting it.

"Freeways are the first step to development that will change the face of the swale," Menon told city councilors during their presentation.

"The swale contains lots of biodiversity and also offers one of the last large areas containing native prairie. So much has been lost to the point that some plants and animals have been classified as rare or endangered. In fact, only one per cent of North America's native prairie is left and our swale is a big part of that. When a road punctures through a sensitive habitat, the hundreds of cars bring pollution with them and destruction of native prairie."

"While there may be some convenience, the cost is too huge," Menon added. "While it might be a little more cost-effective, there are other hidden costs. We should see the beauty of the swale as a whole, untouched landscape, not as small remnants of land in between the roads."

The students raised concerns that development within the swale would affect the ability of the swale to control flooding and would damage the area's already fragile biodiversity. They argued that the swale is a natural amenity that provides value to the surrounding community and is therefore deserving of preservation.

The swale is one of the largest surviving fragments of natural prairie in the region with about 300 hectares within City of Saskatoon boundaries. It is a diverse ecosystem with more than 200 different kinds of wild plants, over 100 species of birds, and many types of animals, including hares, foxes, coyotes, and two kinds of deer.

The proposed four-lane, freeway would pass through the swale as it encircles the city to connect Highway 11 south with Highway 7 west. The freeway, which will be built by the provincial government, aims to redirect traffic, especially heavy truck traffic, around the city. There has been no date set for its approval.

The two students had previously shared their group's research and learning during the NatureCity Festival at the invitation of the Northeast Swale Watchers.  

(Photo by Global News Saskatoon)