A farmer driven conservation program in Lacombe County had much success in its first year.

The ALUS, Alternative Land Use Services, program works to compensate landowners and agricultural producers to make environmental improvements for a more sustainable future.

A total of 4 landowner’s participated last year, Lacombe County Assistant Agricultural Fieldman Jalene Makus explains some of the projects they took on.

“Some farmers had some bad soil erosion so they planted perennial forage instead of annual crop land to hold their soil down.  We also had some wetland restoration projects where they were previously farming right up to the wetland margin, so what they did is they planted grass, about a 30 foot strip around that to create a buffer for wildlife or a sediment capture, that sort of thing”.

ALUS Canada provides funding per acre for projects, last year just shy of $8500 was committed to county landowners for projects.

Lacombe County is currently seeking participants for this year's program.

Makus explains what they are looking for.

“We really want to emphasize we don’t want your high quality farmland, we want those marginal, sensitive areas, like along rivers, or wetlands, areas that are prone to soil or water erosion”.

“The program is designed to take that marginal land that farmers have on their farm and turn them in to ecological services, so promoting cleaner air, water, flood mitigation, wildlife habitat”.

Other project ideas include constructing solar-powered watering stations, establishing shelterbelts and natural vegetation, building hen houses, and establishing pollinator gardens.

If you are interested in participating or require more information, contact Lacombe County.

https://lacombeonline.com/local/lacombe-county-partners-with-alus-canada