ALUS in Alberta

It was a “coming out” party like no other. More than 40 people, enjoying blue skies and a steak bbq, took in the County of Vermilion River’s first Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS) tour held June 21st.

The event, hosted by ALUS staff, local producers and county administrators, showcased the pioneering conservation work underway in rural Alberta just west of Lloydminster.

“This really was a coming out party for ALUS in Alberta, ” says Delta President Rob Olson. “It was an important step that was both iconic and huge.”

ALUS is a community-led, farmer-delivered conservation program offering financial incentives for improvements carried out on private land. Projects include the restoration of wetlands and nesting cover beneficial to waterfowl.

Delta Waterfowl has spearheaded the development and implementation of ALUS for more than a decade. The program in Alberta started in 2010, where there are now 11 producers with more than 1000 acres under improvement.

The ALUS tour started with a keynote speech from Olson at Lakeland College, a local facility interested in forming a partnership with the ALUS program. In the audience were representatives from various government agencies, local politicians, media, farmers and major supporters.

Visitors later had a first hand look at projects underway at Sean McGraths ranch, where native grasses and shelterbelts have been reintroduced. The tour then moved to the ranch of Trent Selte to look at his comprehensive wetland restoration projects.

For ALUS administrator Joan Gabrielson, the highlight was watching Olson, Selte and Daryl Watt good-naturedly struggle to install one of Delta’s nesting structures in a pothole.

“There’s nothing like watching three guys flop around in the water. The entertainment value was great.,” says Gabrielson. “But beyond the fun part, you could see a real sense of teamwork. That’s what ALUS is all about. There’s joy in it.”

As a result of the tour, work is now underway to set up a meeting with Provincial ministers interested in the program and one more county (now totaling 6) is interested in implementing its own ALUS program.

“The county and everyone involved did a great job pulling it off,” says Olson. “It was just a great example of how you can get the message out and see some change.”