Mountain View County’s agricultural service board has approved a plan to have alternative land use services (ALUS) sites in the county photographed.
The move came by way of motion during the board’s recent regularly scheduled meeting.
ALUS is a program that preserves wildlife habitat and other ecosystems. The program is active in the county and across the province.
“ALUS Canada has received Canadian Agricultural Partnership funding for ALUS communities to hire a professional photographer to capture project sites, participant profile shots, and a photo of the current partnership advisory committee,” administration said in a briefing note to the board.
“These photos could be used for promoting Mountain View County’s ALUS programs, producer profiles and grant applications. Maximum budget for this project is $500 and the funds need to be used by the end of 2019.”
Meanwhile, the board has approved funding for three new ALUS projects in the county.
One project is for 75 per cent of materials for a riparian fencing project on SW 04-31-5-5 and an additional payment for maintenance of this project from the 2019 ALUS budget.
The project is in the Little Red Deer River watershed on a 10.3-acre parcel.
The second project is for 25 per cent of materials for the riparian watering system project on NE 23-32-5-5 and additionally funds for the maintenance of the project from the 2019 ALUS budget.
The project is also the Little Red Deer River watershed.
The third project is for a shelterbelt and eco-buffer planting project on SW 26-30-2-5 for fencing materials and for the seedlings and mulch.
So far in 2019, five landowners have been approved for ALUS projects in the county, impacting 147 acres of wetland, riparian and upland areas, members heard.
Meanwhile, members were given a followup report on this summer’s farm tour, which saw participants visit numerous farms and other facilities in the county.
Feedback from the tour was positive, with 60 participants taking part.
“All in all, it was a very positive event,” Jane Fulton, assistant director of legislative, community and agricultural services, told members.
The agricultural service board is made up of county councillors and appointed public members. It advises the county and province on agricultural issues and concerns.
