Two of the latest financial contributions to the Norfolk County, Ontario, ALUS pilot project highlight the range of environmental values that can result from the ALUS model of conservation.

The Alternate Land Use Services (ALUS) is a policy vision that seeks to compensate agricultural producers for providing ecological services for the good of society. The program was originally conceived by Manitoba’s Keystone Agriculture Producers and Delta Waterfowl Foundation as a mechanism to achieve healthy Canadian landscapes in partnership farmers and ranchers.

In Norfolk County, the Partnership Advisory Committee has been working since 2002 demonstrating the ALUS concept. Funding for the program has been through a variety of private and public sources.

The committee recently received $70,500 from Ontario’s Species at Risk Stewardship Fund. The current grant funds will be used to re-establish tall grass prairie. “We believe we can address individual species conservation by recreating a healthy landscape,” said Dave Reid, Norfolk Land Stewardship coordinator.

Tall grass prairie was once abundant in Norfolk County and is an endangered habitat in itself. It is used by many game species –including ducks for nesting and is important habitat for species at risk. In addition, tall grass prairie species have deep roots and are valuable for carbon sequestration and the cover provides for erosion control.

The Ruffed Grouse Society of Canada’s North Shore Chapter also joined the Norfolk partnership with a $2,000 donation for the creation of ruffed grouse and woodcock habitat. Norfolk ALUS coordinator Eric Cleland said it’s the first ALUS management targeted at one species. “We’d like to encourage more of those partnerships in the future,” he said.

The funding paid will be used for the establishment of 15 acres of oak savannah. Mast species such as various oaks were intermixed with black cherry and clusters of white pine. The hope is to create habitat for grouse and other ground nesting birds. It will also be an excellent singing ground for woodcock in the spring.