The Professional Development Committee of the Saskatchewan Professional Planners Institute will be hosting a Lunch Time Virtual Speaker Series throughout the summer and fall months. The series will feature presenters from the 2022 SPPI Conference, in case you missed their presentation. The first session will be next Wednesday, July 5th.

Additional presentations will be advertised throughout the summer leading up to the 2023 SPPI Conference in Saskatoon on September 25th and 26th

Date: July 5, 2023, 12:05- 12:50pm, 1 LU
Speaker: Mike Velonas, RPP, MCIP

Mike’s presentation will provide a fascinating deep dive on the Meewasin Valley Authority, one of the most unique non-governmental agencies in the world, with a mandate to Conserve, Develop, and Educate. With development control and powerful legislation, Meewasin is the steward of the Meewasin Valley centered in the City of Saskatoon, and a uniquely-governed, quasi-municipal agency with a 100 Year Conceptual Master Plan. Since its creation in 1979, Meewasin, within its 67 km2 jurisdiction, has built over 105 km of Meewasin Trail, educated thousands, and protected significant areas of native prairie, one of the most imperiled ecosystems on the planet.

Meewasin is now embarking on an exploration of a potential national urban park and is poised to transform the Saskatoon region again with this generational opportunity. Partnering with Parks Canada, guided by the steering committee (Government of Saskatchewan, City of Saskatoon, RM of Corman Park, Saskatoon Tribal Council, Métis Nation of Saskatchewan, Wanuskewin Heritage Park, University of Saskatchewan), Meewasin is conducting engagement with key decision makers on Vision, Boundaries, and Governance for the designation of a potential national urban park, which may be the first of its kind in Canada.

This presentation will provide insight into the Meewasin Valley Authority, a one-of-a-kind entity, as it explores the creation of another one-of-a-kind, a potential national urban park in the Saskatoon region.

Join us through the meeting link below at 12:05 pm on Wednesday, July 5!

https://us06web.zoom.us/s/83405413791#success