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Sam Cowan

@samacowan

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Lover of bridges. Fan of history. Friends of the Meewasin River Valley in Saskatoon.

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Our fall targeted grazing program has wrapped up!

This fall, Jared Epp, his border collie Dot, and 60 sheep spent 2½ weeks at Beaver Creek Conservation Area and another week at the Northeast Swale, helping us enhance prairie habitat through targeted grazing.

Together, we welcomed more than 810 people to grazing demonstrations and 90 attendees at our Grazing Dinners, giving our community the opportunity to experience conservation in action. While the sheep may be the stars of the show, this program is about so much more than cute faces. Targeted grazing helps manage invasive plants and woody vegetation, improve habitat conditions for grassland species, and restore the natural processes that have shaped prairie ecosystems for thousands of years.

One of the most exciting outcomes of this year's program was seeing so many people connect more deeply with the prairie. Whether you joined us for a Grazing Dinner, attended a demonstration, volunteered, or stopped by to watch the sheep at work, thank you for being part of the journey.

As one Grazing Dinner guest shared, "It was magical. Excellent food, excellent entertainment, and amazing warmth extended by the Meewasin staff."

A huge thank you to Jared and Dot, our staff, partners, volunteers, and everyone who helped make this season such a success. We'd also like to thank the Saskatchewan Cattle Association for supporting our Grazing Dinners, and BHP Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada's Habitat Stewardship Program, and Park People for supporting our targeted grazing program.

A special thank you to our Grazing Dinner partner, @odla.saskatoon , whose incredible farm-to-table dining experience helped make these evenings truly unforgettable. A special congratulations to the Odla team on their recent Environmental Stewardship Award of Recognition with Restaurant Canada Awards of Excellence, becoming the first independent restaurant to receive this honour.

Together, we're making our grasslands better every day.

We'll see you again in 2027, baaahhhh🐑!!!

#Meewasin #Saskatoon #Grazing #Conservation by @samacowan

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14 days ago

I’m so proud of our Samantha completing her 1st 50k marathon! A challenging trail #beaverflats50! Encouraged and supported by some awesome friends,😘😘Sam’s focus & determination made her dream come true! taken in Sask Landing Provinicial Park by @samacowan

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19 days ago

Back with Meewasin's sheep friends this week and next on native grassland on treaty six Beaver Creek ❤️ I love every night but tonight with the storm across the river, amongst the sand dunes and juniper, with the people we were with, it was magic and I want to remember it foreverrrrrrrr!!! by @samacowan

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a month ago

Hey J&L crew!

These two beauties (@_jamiejoelle & @samacowan from @meewasinvalley) are hosting a Joggers & Lagers special edition of our Meewasin Naughty By Nature program up at Beaver Creek.

📅 Thu Aug 6th
⏰ 6-9 PM
📍 Beaver Creek Conservation Area
💵 by donation

To signup, you have to use this link:

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/naughty-by-nature-19-joggers-lagers-edition-tickets-1993715738443?aff=oddtdtcreator

#naughtybynature #yxerunclub #saskatoonrunclub #runcommunity #meewasin taken in Beaver Creek Conservation Area by @samacowan

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2 months ago

Such a great weekend 🤩❤️ by @samacowan

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3 months ago

On this day, 10 years ago, finding 100 yr old unexploded ordinate was a normal day 😂

(30 June 2016)
I took my [battlefield] group to see Machine Gun Wood at Monchy on our Trail of the Caribou - Day 2 - the battle at Monchy Le Preux - April 1917. I had 30 Newfoundlanders behind me so I didn't want to linger too long - Even if it IS a hundred years old.

---

Machine Gun Wood. 10 men hiding in a hedge fromthe spot this picture was taken. They would see the entirety of Newfoundland's A Company head in to this little knoll of trees on the horizon. They never came out again.

April 14th 1917 - the Royal Newfoundland Regiment and the First Essex Regiment of the 88th Brigade of the 29th Division, suffered a casualty rate of 70% - the second highest casualty rate other than Beaumont Hamel - July 01, 1916. by @samacowan

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3 months ago

What a BEAUTIFUL Blue Sky Friday with my friends @leishastoon, @saltermarty @jlye_sk + MANY MORE

Voices all across the province made today's CBC's Blue Sky Radio Hour with Leisha SO SPECIAL!

"Why do YOU run?"

My goodness.
We were brought to tears.
We were also brought to fits of laughter.
We heard Roger's stories, Leanne's insights, Cynthia's words, @alansariamro's email ❤️

Makes me proud to be human.
Made me proud to know this community.
Makes me proud to work with @meewasinvalley.

Thank you Leisha it's so cool to see you work in action. You put heart soul and forethought into these programs and it truly shows 🙏

You guys I am now SO PUMPED for Sask Marathon @saskatoonroadrunners @saskmarathon

LETS GOOOOOO 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃💨 by @samacowan

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4 months ago

Why do I run?

You will hear me and several other SK runners like @saltermarty and @jlye_sk talking about why we run ahead of the Saskatchewan Marathon on CBC radio’s Blue Sky between 12 and 1 pm.

You can stream the show on CBC Listen or set your radio dial to 94.1 FM in Saskatoon or 102.5 FM in Regina.

You can tell us why YOU run by calling into the show at 1-800-716-2221 or email bluesky@cbc.ca

We'll be showering love on dogs, @leishastoon @cbcsask @meewasinvalley @saskmarathon @discoversaskatoon @_jamiejoelle @yxe_joggers_lagers @meg.runs.south + the beautiful community + did I mention dogs? by @samacowan

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4 months ago

Did you know our native prairies are considered the most endangered ecosystem in the world? 🌍🌾

With only 14% of Saskatchewan’s original grasslands remaining, the clock is ticking to protect what’s left. But there is a way you can help. By joining us on an exclusive Meewasin Grazing Dinner experience, you are directly supporting the vital conservation work needed to save this landscape.

This is a chance to be part of the solution. See why The Globe and Mail chose Meewasin Grazing Dinners as the #1 thing to do in their 2025 Hidden Canada Travel Guide.

Come experience the beauty of the Meewasin Valley and help us preserve it for generations to come.

Limited tickets are available for May & September. Click the link in our bio to book your spot! $299/person.

#iyrp2026 #SaveTheGrasslands #iyrpfornatureconservation by @samacowan

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5 months ago

Why do we graze? It’s about more than just a meal. It’s dinner with a view, and a purpose.

It’s for nature, for climate, for society and for life.

2026 is a global celebration of the land and the people who steward it. Here in the Meewasin Valley, we’re kicking off the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists with our most iconic signature experience. Our Grazing Dinners fund the vital conservation work needed to protect the most endangered ecosystem in the world: our prairies. Plus we’ll enjoy a 3-course farm-to-table meal by @odla.saskatoon while watching a live stock dog demo.

A big thank you to The Globe and Mail for choosing the Meewasin Grazing Dinner as the #1 thing to do in their 2025 Hidden Canada Travel Guide.

Experience the beauty of the valley and support our mission this May and September. $299/person. Tickets are extremely limited, click the link in our bio to book your spot! 🌿

#iyrp2026 #SaveTheGrasslands #iyrpfornatureconservation by @samacowan

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5 months ago

Welcome to Beaver Creek Conservation Area, in Saskatoon SK. A hidden oasis where the river trails meet the creek. 🌊🌾

This spectacular backdrop is why The Globe and Mail chose Meewasin Grazing Dinners as the #1 thing to do in their 2025 Hidden Canada Travel Guide.

Your evening begins with a private guided hike through the ancient grassland dunes to witness the land in its most natural state. Then, as the sun dips below the horizon, we gather for a locally sourced 3-course masterpiece by Chef Scott Dicks and the @odla.saskatoon team.

To top it off? A live campfire stock dog demonstration that showcases the true spirit of prairie stewardship. It’s an immersive rangeland experience you won’t find anywhere else. 🐑🍽️🌅

Join us this season! Tickets for our May & September dates are live now, and tickets are extremely limited! Click the link in our bio under Tours & Experiences to book your spot!

#iyrp2026 #SaveTheGrasslands #iyrpfornatureconservation by @samacowan

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5 months ago

Is this YOU? 🌚

Then you should probably come to our Dark Skies events this year.

Tonight is April’s Pink Moon. While it’s not actually pink (it’s named after wildflowers), it is your signal that our dark skies 2026 season is ready to go.

All dates and times are officially up on Meewasin's website. These events sell out fast—and I mean fast—so jump on the interest list now to get first dibs on tickets when they drop.

✨ Sign up here: meewasin.com/darkskies

Oh, and PS my birthday is one of the events. Consider this a birthday invite to the party 🥳

#Meewasin #DarkSkies #Saskatoon #PinkMoon #Saskatooning

@discoversaskatoon @hiddensaskatoon @tourismsask @livingskyguy @meewasinvalley taken in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan by @samacowan

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6 months ago