For years, the Meewasin Valley Authority has been a driving force in conserving one of Saskatchewan’s most important natural landscapes. Meewasin Valley is located in Saskatoon, Canada, and it offers over 105 km of trails across 67 square km of land in and outside of Saskatoon and provides year-round recreation and sightseeing opportunities. Stretching over 6,700 hectares, the Meewasin Valley is home to hundreds of plant and animal species, and its protection is essential to maintaining the biodiversity of the region. BHP is pleased to invest C$250,000 to support the Meewasin Valley Authority in its ongoing and important work.

Meewasin’s mission to protect and restore the Valley includes conservation grazing, prescribed burns, and the removal of invasive species. With BHP’s contribution, Meewasin will now be able to plant an additional 5,000 native trees, shrubs, and grasses each year and restore 5 million square meters of land. This partnership will provide the resources needed to continue important work like removing noxious weeds, conducting prescribed burns, and implementing targeted grazing, which all play a key role in keeping the valley healthy. BHP’s funding will also help bolster Meewasin’s volunteer programs, which bring thousands of people into the valley each year to learn about sustainability and participate in hands-on conservation activities.

Andrea Lafond, CEO of the Meewasin Valley Authority, emphasized the significance of this support. “BHP’s contribution allows us to expand our restoration efforts and do more to protect this incredible natural resource. We’re thrilled to be able to strengthen our programs and engage the community in ensuring the valley’s health for generations to come.”

As Simon Thomas, BHP’s Vice President of Projects, Potash, noted, “We are proud to contribute to the incredible work Meewasin is doing. Our shared goal is to ensure that the valley remains a vibrant and healthy ecosystem that future generations can enjoy.”

This partnership underscores the shared values between BHP and Meewasin. For BHP, this donation reflects our commitment to the “Healthy Environment” pillar, one of six core areas guiding our social investment strategy. As Karina Gistelinck, Asset President Potash, explains, “At BHP, we believe that collaborating with communities and stakeholders is key to achieving sustainable social, environmental, and economic outcomes. With this investment we want to be a part of ensuring that the Meewasin Valley remains a vibrant, healthy, and sustainable space for future generations.”