MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY - The county’s agricultural service board (ASB) has been updated on conservation funding received and allocated for projects in the area.
The review came during one of the board’s recent regularly scheduled meetings, held by Zoom.
Lorelee Grattidge, sustainable agricultural specialist, provided the board with an update on REEP riparian conservation program and ALUS land conservation program funding.
An application was submitted the Alberta Conservation Association community and education grant for the 2020-21 funding cycle for $25,000 and notification was received that the application was approved, she said.
“So we use that toward our REEP program and also we end up using the funding as well for our ALUS program,” she said.
One hundred and eighty ALUS acres with six new participants are projected for 2021, based on the funding allocation confirmed through ALUS Canada totalling $75,270.
The ALUS funding comes from three different sources:
• The Canada Nature Fund for Aquatic Species at Risk funding totals $46,270 in 2021, for 90 new acres, establishment costs, year-one of annual payments and program delivery, with the priority being the improvement of aquatic habitat that can support fish species.
• The Corporate Consortium funding for 60 new acres, establishment costs, annual payments and program delivery. The approved projects must have cattle grazing as part of farming operation, adaptive multi-paddock grazing and other enhanced grazing practices are support, with a maximum cost/acre support of $250. Year one funding is $15,000.
• The Environmental and Climate Change Canada EcoAction funding for 81 acres, establishment costs, annual payments and program delivery, with priority being the engagement of producers in environmental restoration and enhancement projects in the Red Deer River basin. Year-one funding is $14,000.
Grattidge also updated the board on a new pollinator projects factsheet provided to the county by Wheatland County.
“MVC administration also recently completed a survey delivered by the Miistakis Institute,” she said. “This was an opportunity for municipalities to provide input on the breadth of the pollinator projects and programs in Alberta.”
She also provided an update on hen house installations for mallard duck nesting in Mountain View County on behalf of the Sarcee Fish and Game Association.
“They found activity in 15 of the 39 that were in place for the spring of 2020 and this past fall/winter they completed 28 new installations,” she said.
Made up of appointed public members and members of county council, the ASB advises the county and province on agricultural-related issued and concerns.
