Emily Plihal
Local Journalism
Initiative Reporter
It is a program designed to produce ecosystem services through nature-based solutions, with funding available to help farmers find solutions to their land woes.
The ALUS program was designed to help farmers and ranchers create, restore, and enhance new acres of nature to address environmental challenges on their land. It’s meant to help build community resilience and help fight the effects of climate change, and perhaps most notably, it addresses biodiversity loss.
Northern Sunrise County’s environmental program coordinator explains this program has helped a number of farmers in the area restore riparian areas, wetland areas, and other areas that were not prime agricultural areas.
“The ALUS program helps farmers turn unproductive land back into natural habitats,” says Katie Bartman.
“These lands often need a lot of resources but yield little profit due to their natural traits,” she adds.
“For example, rocky soils damage equipment, sandy soils don’t hold nutrients well, and waterlogged areas hinder crop growth.”
The ALUS program was created to be flexible, specifically designed and customized by local communities to respect local agricultural and environmental priorities and help create rural resilience. Because agricultural producers see what is happening on their farms and understand the environmental challenges they face, they are in a unique position to help address biodiversity loss and other negative effects of the changes.
“ALUS actively seeks grant funding from major sponsors like Cargill and A&W, who are committed to promoting sustainable farming,” she says.
“This initiative not only supports environmentally friendly practices but also rewards farmers who are dedicated to preserving and enhancing their land. It’s a fantastic way to acknowledge and support the efforts of those who provide our food.”
ALUS is a program that is meant to complement existing conservation programs and government policy frameworks. It produces ecosystem services on marginal and ecologically sensitive parcels of land that can (and should) be managed in a different manner. It is based on scientific principals and provides valuable support and technical expertise to farmers who choose to use the program. The program is meant to be flexible and help work with farmers and ranchers, ensuring the plans suit each individual’s operation and offers some financial compensation for their ecosystem management.
“ALUS collaborates closely with farmers to ensure the program is both practical and adaptable,” Bartman notes.
“As one farmer put it, ‘The program works directly with us, understanding our unique challenges and needs’. To maintain this practicality and flexibility, the committees that approve projects—known as Partnership Advisory Committees, or the Watershed Advisory Committee in NSC’s case—are composed of local producers. This local involvement ensures that the projects are tailored to the specific conditions and requirements of the area, making the program more effective and relevant.”
Some local projects already completed include fencing along sensitive riparian areas to help restore riparian health, reintroducing wetlands where they were once drained but not producing adequate yields as agricultural areas, replanting of trees and shrubs in areas to restore habitat for wildlife and species at risk, and helping to introduce regenerative agricultural practices.
The ALUS network consists of approximately 1,800 farmers and ranchers in 39 communities who are providing cleaner air, cleaner water, carbon sequestration, erosion control, flood and drought mitigation, pollinator and wildlife habitat because they completed projects that improved their marginal parcels of land.
“The ALUS program benefits communities in several impactful ways including Environmental Improvement by restoring and enhancing natural habitats,” Bartman says.
“ALUS helps improve local biodiversity, water quality, and air quality. This leads to healthier ecosystems and a more resilient environment.”
She says it also provides economic support because farmers and ranchers receive financial compensation for participating in ALUS projects. This support helps them manage their land sustainably while still maintaining their livelihoods.
ALUS projects help provide climate resilience with wetland restoration and tree planting to help preserve land resiliency by promoting biodiversity, reducing flood risks, and improving drought resilience.
“The program fosters a sense of community by involving local stakeholders in decision-making processes,” Bartman says.
“This ensures that projects are tailored to the specific needs and priorities of the area,” she adds.
Bartman explains ALUS provides valuable knowledge and technical expertise to farmers and community members, promoting sustainable practices and environmental stewardship.
Many local communities participate in the program, including Northern Sunrise County, Big Lakes County, and the M.D. of Smoky River. This program helps the farmers in their regions ensure that marginal land can be returned to natural habitat, which will benefit their agricultural practices on adjacent lands and also ensure biodiversity is reintroduced.
“ALUS projects offer numerous benefits to adjacent agricultural land through various methods including shelterbelt and tree planting,” she says.
“ALUS also helps with restoring wetlands and riparian zones which are the water-loving vegetation areas between water bodies and upland areas, play a crucial role in flood and drought mitigation. By implementing these methods, ALUS projects not only improve the environmental health of the land but also enhance the productivity and sustainability of adjacent cropland.”
If you are interested in participating in the ALUS program, please contact Bartman at (780) 322-3831 or your local municipal office to see who your local contact is.