A group of Red Deer County landowners has been recognized for its progressive environmental work. Residents participating in Off the Creek, a green initiative through the county, have received a 2011 Emerald Award.Emerald Awards honour environmental leadership in the province and are presented through the Alberta Emerald Foundation at a ceremony each year. The county program was recognized under the community category at the 20th edition of the awards last month. This category spotlights environmental work by volunteer community groups that produce measurable and sustained, positive change.ìHopefully the award will encourage other people to get on with that project you've been thinking about doing for some time,î said Murray Stauffer, who owns a property southwest of Innisfail and is one of the landowners participating in the project.ìAlso, may we all think carefully before we let a natural area be destroyed unnecessarily. We are all custodians of these lands and can't go wrong if we do what's right.îOver the past five years, the Off the Creek program's 44 participants have been involved in better management practices. The group's 55 projects have included 36 range and riparian management fencing projects, 14 off-site watering projects, three creek crossing projects and three portable livestock shelters. These initiatives have made a positive impact on 732 acres of riparian area, 441 acres of pond wetland and lake, and 19 miles of creek and river.The program offers technical resources to county landowners looking to benefit water bodies, riparian areas, native range, and shallow groundwater on their land. Landowners can apply for funding grants for the purchase of items such as off-stream watering systems, fencing and septic system improvements.While the initiative received some funding through Red Deer County and the Alberta Conservation Association, according to Stauffer many landowners contributed up to $2 on every $1 of funding they received through their own money and labour.Stauffer, who accepted the Emerald Award on behalf of those who participated in the endeavour, shared a personal experience that summed up why he feels the program is important, while onstage at the ceremony.ìWhen I was down at the far end of my wetlands where you can't get to with a vehicle with an armload of fence posts it was not funding that I was thinking about ñ it was more like, ëWhat in the world am I doing here?'î Stauffer said, adding that he then tripped, face-planting in mud. When Stauffer looked up, he noticed a great blue heron flying over his head.Stauffer made his way back to the yard where he was met by his wife and child, who burst out in laughter when they saw his mud-covered clothing.ìWhen they got done laughing, my youngest, who was eight at the time said: ëBut you know dad, it's worth it,'î Stauffer said.ìThat's what it's all about. That's the essence of these whole awards.ìSometimes you just do what's right.îThe landowners were nominated by the Red Deer County Agriculture Service Board. Other finalists in the community group category were the Beaver Boardwalk Volunteer Partnership and the Weberville Community Forest Model.
