The Ministry of Environment has designated the Lobstick Lake area as a new ecological reserve. This will help to protect a large portion of Saskatchewan’s land and water-based ecosystem. Environment Minister Warren Kaeding says “Establishing the Lobstick Lake representative area will promote the conservation of valuable wildlife habitat in the area.” He adds “This designation will ensure the protection and further enjoyment of this land for many years to come.” The site is 98,580 hectares and was previously identified as a protected zone. The area located approximately 24 kilometres south of Cumberland House has been used by First Nations and Metis people for hundreds of years. The government has committed to protecting 12 per cent of Saskatchewan’s land base. The addition of the Lobstick Lake representative area brings the provincial protected areas to 9.8 per cent. Land uses in the area include fishing, hunting, trapping and tourism along with some industrial development.