MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY - The county's agricultural service board (ASB) has been given an update on recent ALUS Canada activities, including on the results of a survey of area participants involved in environmental conservation efforts.
The review came during the board’s recent, regularly-scheduled meeting, and includes a delegation appearance by Rhonda King, western lead for regional development with ALUS Canada, and a Christine Campbell, senior western hub manager with ALUS Canada.
ALUS promotes land use conservation. Mountain View County is one of the organization’s partners, helping area landowners make environmental improvements and conservation work on their respective properties.
The Collaborating With Our Rural Partners survey asked participants for input and feedback.
Asked : What made you choose to participate in the ALUS program?," county respondent answers included “I had discussion with other farmers in the region” and “I attended a workshop that featured ALUS” and “I visited a demonstration project that featured ALUS” as well as “I had discussions with ALUS representative from Mountain View County.”
Asked about the value of having an ALUS project on their land, respondent answers included “enhanced wildlife”, “keeps me in touch with environment”, “ability to share what we do ecologically with people who may not know how far agriculture goes to protect the environment” and “reduced fencing costs, protected wetlands, returning birds and fowl to the area.”
Participants cited benefits as including increased wildlife, increased aesthetic appeal, improved water retention, improved surface water quality, improved drainage and flow, and helping slow the water flow and cushions the impact of erosion.
“There is a role here for environmental management and it has been done for years and it needs to be developed and supported,” said King.
Council accepted the ALUS report as information.
Stewardship program re-launches
Meanwhile, ASB members heard that the Red Deer River Naturalists has relaunched the Habitat Steward Program, which recognizes landowners who, on their own accord, conserve wildlife habitat on their respective property.
“Interested landowners send in an application form and they receive a beautiful gate sign,” said Lorelee Grattidge, sustainable agricultural specialist with the county. “This would be a way to recognize (Mountain View County) residents who conserve a minimum of five acres of habitat on their property and do not receive additional funding support through programs like ALUS.”
ASB members passed a motion recommending promotion of the Habitat Steward Program to Mountain View County residents who have conserved wildlife habitat on their land at their own expenses.
The ASB is made up of county councillors and appointed public members from the agriculture community.
