Type: ACA Conservation, Community,and Education Grant
Year Awarded: 2022
Grant: $28,793
Principal Investigator: Peter Little
Organization: Northern Lights Fly Fishers - Trout Unlimited Canada Edmonton Chapter
Project Status Complete
The objective was to avoid further damage to and promote regeneration of the 38.9 acres of riparian land on this property bordering Dogpound Creek and to stop pollution of the creek from livestock manure. The primary activities were formalization of a Riparian Habitat Enhancement Agreement between ACA and the landowner, repair or replacement as needed of approximately two km of fencing originally installed over 30 years ago through the Buck for Wildlife program, to exclude livestock from the riparian zone, and installation of alternative watering systems for the cattle and horses. Mountain View County agreed to contribute ecosystem service payments to the landowner, Cows and Fish offered to conduct a pre- and post- riparian health inventory, and the landowner offered to repair the fencing himself instead of that work being contracted. The landowner also waived the ten-year annual lease payments that were offered by ACA under terms of the Riparian Agreement. As work progressed, it became evident that 34.6 rather than 38.9 acres of riparian land needed to be protected by exclusion fencing. At the request of the landowner and in agreement with ACA, grant funds were used towards an additional portable watering system that would enable better grazing management during summer months. Mountain View County and Cows and Fish also contributed towards the cost of this system. The work has been successfully completed with clear benefits to the creekâs riparian land and water quality and at significantly less cost than anticipated. The project stands as an example of inter-agency collaboration in achieving a common goal.