April 16, 2009
Funding Increase for ALUS from the Province of PEI
The provincial government of Prince Edward Island (PEI) has increased its annual funding for Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS) from $750,000 to one million dollars. This was announced during the 2009 Provincial Budget Address in PEI on April 16, 2009.
During the address the Provincial Treasurer and Chair of Treasury Board the Hon. Wesley J. Sheridan said, "Government recognizes the benefits derived by society through the provision of environmentally-friendly goods and services. Therefore, the Government will be increasing funding for the Alternative Land Use Services Program (ALUS) to provide farmers who implement environmental management practices with financial incentives that will assist in their conservation efforts."
Delta President Rob Olson believes that this is great news for ALUS given the country's current economic situation.
"In this economy all we've been hearing about is government cutbacks," says Olson. "Increased funding from PEI for ALUS just proves how effective ALUS can be."
ALUS is a way for farmers to get paid for providing ecological goods and services that benefits society overall and is of particular interest to North American waterfowl hunters. For example, a farmer can plant Tallgrass Prairie on his farm which provides nesting cover for breeding ducks and a host of other environmental benefits.
"The effects of a farmer planting tallgrass prairie benefits us as duck hunters and the general public," says Olson. "We get to hunt those ducks that hatched on that tallgrass prairie. We also get to breathe the cleaner air and it helps to offset our vehicle emissions."
ALUS was adopted as part of PEI's agricultural policy in 2008.