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ALUS Lacombe County program ready for more participants

The program is completely voluntary for agricultural producers and landowners
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After a successful first year, the ALUS Lacombe County program—which promotes sustainable agriculture through the delivery of an Alternative Land Use Services program—is ready its next group of participants.

“We are so proud of the relationships and projects we established in 2017, and are putting out a call to producers and landowners in Lacombe County to come on board and help us grow this program even more,” explained Jalene Makus, ALUS Lacombe County program coordinator.

This program places a value on the delivery of ecosystem services through a community-developed, farmer-delivered program that financially compensates landowners and agriculture producers for these services.

Examples of ALUS projects can be constructing solar-powered watering stations, establishing shelterbelts or natural vegetation, seeding grass or perennial crops around ecologically sensitive areas, building hen houses, planting trees, or establishing a pollinator garden - to name a few.

In 2017, the Lacombe County program saw four landowners participate in the ALUS Lacombe County program; five projects accepted for ALUS funding; 97 acres enrolled in the ALUS Lacombe County program to improve ecosystems; $8,400 in compensation committed to county landowners for providing ecosystem systems in 2018, 2019, 2020.

“It was a great first year for us, and we want to keep the momentum going and to continue protecting sensitive lands and resources for future generations,” explained Makus.

“Each of these projects will lead to significant environmental impacts for the county as a whole.”

Anyone interested in participating in the ALUS Lacombe County program, or looking for more information, can contact Jalene at (403) 782-8959 or by emailing jmakus@lacombecounty.com.

The Lacombe County ALUS program is completely voluntary for local agricultural producers and landowners, and is overseen by a Partnership Advisory Committee (PAC), comprised of local agriculture producers.

For more information contact, visit www.ALUS.ca.