The Mountain View County agricultural services board has approved funding for two riparian and ecological enhancement program (REEP) projects.
The move came by way of motion at the board’s recent regularly scheduled meeting in council chambers.
One project will see fencing installed on the Rosebud River at NW 24-30-02-W5 and the other project will see 155 metres of fencing installed along the Rosebud River at NW 21-30-01-W5.
A total of $527 in funding was provided, bringing the total allocated in 2018 to $31,135 for 15 REEP projects.
Bearberry Creek update
Meanwhile, the board was given an update on the Bearberry Creek watershed bioengineering site project spearheaded by the Alberta Conservation Association.
The multi-stakeholder project involved the construction of four creekbank sites with live stake fencing and brush layers between 2007 and 2010.
Board members saw photos taken at the sites at the time of construction and in 2017. All the sites are located in the Bearberry Creek watershed upstream of Sundre.
“Live stakes and bioengineering structures put in to the depth of the water table or those closer to the water table performed better,” officials said. “Live stakes and bioengineering structures mid to top of the bank performed less well, but did remain in place during peak flood events, and likely added some structural stability to the bank.”
Stakeholders involved in the project included Cows and Fish, and Mountain View and Red Deer counties.
Collaboration on workshop
In other news, the board passed a motion recommending the local ag services board partner with other ag boards in the region to host a farm safety workshop in 2019.
“In June the province announced that the final piece of the Farm and Ranch Occupational Health and Safety legislation would come into effect on Dec. 31,” administration said in a briefing note to the board.
“AgSafe Alberta is offering to co-host farm safety management seminars with municipalities across the province. They have a range of options and farm safety topics for seminars that could be delivered by one of the AgSafe team members. The seminars can be paired up with other farm management topics or stand alone on the topic of farm safety.”
AgSafe Alberta will be continuing with the AgSafe advisor program until the end of 2018, members heard.
“Three advisors are available across the province to meet one on one with producers and help them build a customized farm safety management program for their operation. Until the end of the year this is a free service, funded by AgSafe Alberta.”
Event funding approved
Board members also passed a motion approving $150 to support the Municipal District of Bighorn’s annual Living in the Natural Environment Event.
“This annual forum (will be) held on February 1, 2019 bringing together 120 to 150 members of rural and small urban community, government and non-agricultural rural residents to raise issues and initiate discussion,” administration said.
“The topics for this year’s event will be Native Edible Plants of Alberta, and Presenter panel: Plains Bison re-introduction into Banff National Park."
In a letter received by the board, Kendra Tippe, environmental fieldman with the MD of Bighorn, said, in part, that, “Topics are intended to be thought provoking and hopefully action initiating. Your consideration of this opportunity and continued support of the agricultural-rural community and rural environment is very much appreciated.”
Board members also approved funding of $525 to go towards the 2019 Livestock Care Conference at Olds College in March.
The conference is sponsored by the Alberta Farm Animal Care organization.
“The AFAC is a provincial organization that works with livestock producers and the agricultural industry to promote responsible and humane animal care,” administration said.
“The AFAC offers a two-pronged approach: create resources and training opportunities for producers to make sure that they have everything they need to take the best care of their animals; and use resources and speaking opportunities to help educate the public on what producers do and why animal welfare is taken seriously by the industry.”
The theme of next March’s conference is Partners in Progress: Tools for Success. The conference runs March 20-21.
Pest update
Board members received an update on several pests in the province, including the Eurasian collared dove.
“Have you seen this colourful, elegant dove cooing pleasantly in your yard this summer? Don’t be too impressed by the dove’s beauty and pleasant sound. It has invaded North America faster than any other bird,” according to the Pest Insider newsletter presented to the board.
“The collared dove arrived in America by escaping a pet shop in the Bahamas in 1974, flying to the mainland and spreading across the entire continent.”
