Alberta

Leaving a Legacy

Wetlands are among the most biologically diverse, productive, and important life support systems on earth. They are integral to the functioning of important ecosystems and species and they provide us all with a wide range of benefits—from flood control and water supply to recreational activities. When these benefits aren’t recognized or valued, we may lose these valuable resources and the benefits they provide are either costly or impossible to replace.

A wetland is “land that is saturated with water long enough to promote wetland or aquatic processes as indicated by poorly drained soils, hydrophytic (water-loving) vegetation, and various kinds of biological activity which are adapted to a wet environment.”
(National Wetlands Working Group, 1988)

Recognizing an opportunity to support wetlands conservation efforts, Nutrien partnered with Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) to purchase wetlands in need of protection and restoration efforts.* By pledging US$1 million to DUC Nutrien established the Legacy Wetland Restoration Program, ($250 thousand over four years) these funds are used to purchase habitat in DUC’s waterfowl target areas across Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The wetlands and nearby uplands are restored, and a conservation easement is placed on the habitat to protect it forever. (Conservation easements stay with the land, regardless of who owns it.)

These projects (two in Alberta and one in Saskatchewan) were selected based on their high biological function—a combination of wetlands and pasture, forage or other lands where birds and animals have habitat. They are also in target areas previously identified by DUC as areas needing wetland restoration. In general, these are areas that have most likely been drained or cleared but which are also not suited for cropland use, pasture or forage production.

This program’s current projects are areas of high value for the northern pintail duck, a waterfowl species of concern according to DUC. Recognized by its slender build, elegant neck and elongated, spiky central tail feathers, the northern pintail is also able to achieve great speeds while flying, earning the species the nickname ‘greyhound of the air’. Source: www.ducks.ca

The key to wetland restoration is reestablishing the area’s original hydrology and topography, and restoring natural processes including the original native plant cover. For the projects currently underway, DUC conservation specialists and third party contractors will be restoring wetlands that have been drained with ditches. To reverse the harmful effect of the ditch, earthen plugs are pushed into the ditch at its lowest points, stopping drainage and backing up the water flow. On average, up to 20 staff days are required for land acquisition, restoration and perimeter fencing installation.

When the time comes, an online auction, open to all bidders, is held to resell the land. Local advertisers are engaged to ensure a broad level of awareness of the sale. This publicity is also an important way for DUC to communicate that new conservation easements placed upon the property. It is important for any potential buyers to know that they will be required to maintain the status quo of the land state at the time of purchase, and, for example, they cannot drain wetlands or clear any upland areas.

It takes approximately 3 to 4 years for a project to progress through this program – from the initial purchase to the restoration, to the placement of easement and the eventual resale. Revenues from the sale of the land will be reinvested into a new purchase and the entire process will begin again – creating a legacy of wetland restoration projects.

Wetland Aeration System

2014 Wainwright, Alberta, Canada

Ben Brunen of Wainwright Alberta wanted to help protect wetlands and the aquatic life that depend on them in his home town. After discussions with local biologists and the Town of Wainwrights’ Park and Recreation department, he decided that the best way to do that was install an aeration system in one of the main waterbodies in town.

The wetland Ben focused on was in Wallace park, in the heart of Wainwright. A popular place for residents and visitors alike, the wetland water quality and aquatic life had been suffering with increased algae, due to lack of oxygen in the pond. Because of the pond’s condition, fish were not able to survive, taking away a popular summer-time activity for Wainwright’s residents: recreational fishing. Having an aeration system would help the wetland as the fish and other aquatic life depend on oxygen, often depleted by high algae levels.

Ben, the youth representative of the town’s Parks and Recreation board, had the Town of Wainwright help support half of the project costs to buy an aeration system. The Parks and Recreation board emphasize supporting local companies, so they naturally turned to Art Matthews of Wainwright Plumbing and Heating to design and install the aeration system. The system was installed in early summer of last year.

The system has been very successful in increasing oxygen in the water, supporting an increase in aquatic life and decreasing algae, while adding to the pleasing aesthetics of Wallace park. An article in Wainwright’s newspaper in May of 2014 reported that the system is still functioning perfectly, and trout populations are healthy, allowing for recreational fishing to begin at the start of summer.

Toonies for Trees Campaign

2014 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Simran Panesar was a finalist in the 2014 Central Alberta CFW contest. A grade 8 student from A. Blair McPherson School in Edmonton, Simran had a local and global perspective to her project.

Simran’s concern about her watershed was soil erosion. Erosion is a local issue on the banks North Saskatchewan River, and a global issue as well. According to scientist Tim Radford, 10 million hectares of land are eroded every year.

There were two parts to Simran’s project; Part 1 was to plant tree saplings by the North Saskatchewan River and Part 2 was to fundraise money for the Canopy Project.

Part 1- Tree Planting
Working with the Edmonton based organization “Roots for Trees”, three grade 6 classes from A Blair McPherson School went to Gold Bar park to plant trees. With instructions and equipment supplied, they were able to plant 463 trees. Simran personally visited each class before the trip to teach them about why they would be planting trees and how it will help the watershed.

Part 2- Canopy Project
The second part of Simran’s project was to raise money for the international Canopy Project. Over the past 3 years they have planted 1.5 million trees in 18 countries. For every dollar they receive they plant one tree in a place that needs them. To raise money Simran hosted a $2 showing of The Lorax movie. She also sold $2 tickets for a draw for some cool prizes donated by a local business Thurber Engineering LTD. Altogether, she raised $413 (or 413 trees) for the project!

Operation Hummingbird

2014 Forestburg, Alberta, Canada

Isaac Boddy entered the central Alberta CFW contest as a homeschooler and member of the Forestburg Golden Prairie 4H Club. his older sister Maven had been involved in the contest in 2013 so Isaac was ready and willing to take on the project, and see it through to its completion.

Isaac wanted to plant a variety of flowers that butterlies, moths and hummingbirds like with overlapping bloom periods creating a food source from spring lasting to fall. The garden would also provide a place for butterlies and moths to lay their eggs and will also be a beautiful garden for Forestburg residents to visit and enjoy.

Project partners include: the Forestburg Historical Society who donated the land for the garden. 4-H Canada provided $100 for seeds, and the local Golden Prairie 4-H club provided food for the planting day. Communities in Bloom also supported the project by having their summer student in Forestburg help water the garden. Local community members also supported Isaac by donating split rails and posts to make the garden.

A selection of native plants were planted in the garden including:

Black Eyed Susan
Butterfly weed
Corn Poppy
Blanket Flower
Lemon Mint
Partridge Pea
Purple Coneflower
Wild Bergamot

Isaac hopes that his project will have other positive effects on top of providing habitat and food for pollinators. By having his 4-H club involved he will be helping them connect to nature and understand the importance of pollinators while learning about plants and spending time outside. Forestburg community members will also benefit from the garden including the natural beauty and increased pollinators

International Rain Barrel Giveaway

image1-2 Rain barrels are designed to collect water, but one distinctive rain barrel designed by students at Daysland School in central Alberta is garnering just as much attention as it is water.

Butterflies, toads, dragonflies and other flora and fauna help depict a healthy watershed on a rain barrel designed by 20 students from grades five to 12 at Daysland School. It also helped the classroom win $1,000 through an international rain barrel giveaway and art contest sponsored by Nutrien’s Caring for our Watersheds (“CFW”) program.

Riperian Restoration

2013 Forestburg, Alberta, Canada

The Golden Prairie 4-H club out of Forestburg has made a positive impact in the Battle River Watershed. Maven Boddy, a natural leader in the club, entered the Caring for our Watersheds contest with a proposal to improve riparian health that was both multi-faceted and forward thinking. Her plan to improve riparian areas involved planting hundreds of trees along the riverbank, but that wasn’t all. Her plan also incorporated educating the club and community on the importance of riparian areas and implementing a long-term health assessment on the project site.

Prior to tree planting, the club planned an educational canoe ride along the area of the river that would be restored with the seedlings. During the ride participants were taught about riparian areas and factors contributing to their declining health. This was also a great opportunity for a crash course in Alberta ecology, with a plethora of birds and other animals to see and hear.

On the tree planting day approximately 30 volunteers from the 4-H club gathered to plant over 200 seedlings. A variety of native trees and shrubs were chosen that would grow well in the Alberta climate. These trees will improve the strength of the riverbank with their roots and also provide wildlife with habitat for years to come. The project site will now be monitored in order to determine how the health of the area is improving. Maven invited local experts to carry out riparian health assessments and bird surveys, and a second round of assessments is planned for a few years down the road. Funding for the trees and health assessments came from a Victory Canola 4-H Grant as well as from Nutrien’s implementation funds.

Beads for Seeds

2012 Ponoka, Alberta, Canada

Alyssa Klinger wanted to help improve her watershed by planting trees in the community park and trail system along the Battle River in Ponoka. But this innovative student had more than an idea; she had a plan to make it happen.

The Beads for Seeds project raised money to plant trees by making beaded watershed bracelets and selling them in her community. Alyssa was able to raise hundreds of dollars by selling her bracelets at local sport tournaments, local businesses, the Ponoka Stamped and through friends and family.

By using the money raised from the bracelets, Alyssa was able to purchase 500 spruce plugs from a local nursery. Grade 9 classes from St. Augustine School joined Alyssa at the banks of the Battle River to plant the trees. Even the principal came out to help!

The Battle River, this park, and the town of Ponoka will be enjoying the increase of trees and biodiversity, and decreased erosion for a long time to come because of Alyssa great actions.

Otis and Friends Environmental Prevention Book: “The Problem With Pollution”

2012 Ponoka, Alberta, Canada

Building on their success in the 2011 CFW contest, Katie, Vickie and Melissa from St. Augustine School in Ponoka AB created a second book in the ‘Otis and Friends Environmental Adventures’ book series. The book teaches young children in grades 2-4 about how their positive or negative actions can affect the watershed and what they can do to help it.

This book, which was hand drawn with professional quality, tells the story of Bernie, a rare black-footed ferret. In the story Bernie’s den entrance gets blocked by a pop can which had been thrown out a passing car window. Bernie gets the help of his animal friends and one special little girl to remove the pop can and save his family trapped inside. The little girl realizes how much litter is in the field and works with her family and community to organize a clean-up and to create signage to prevent future littering.

The Black-Footed Ferret fact sheet at the end of the book provides details of this grassland endangered species which is now rare across North America. The book also provides helpful suggestion and facts about protecting ecosystems and preventing litter.

The book printing has been sponsored by Nutrien, Keyera and Grey Wooded Forage Association. 200 copies have been printed to date (July 2012) and will be distributed to all of the Parkland Regional Libraries, as well as through school visits by the Battle River Watershed Alliance.

Children’s Activity Book

2011 Ponoka, Alberta, Canada

Caring for our Watersheds Contest Junior High Winners of 2010, Breanne, Jenna and Rachel wanted to tell a story of the importance of a healthy watershed. After researching the Battle River Watershed they decided that to have the greatest impact they should educate young people, which is exactly what they have done.

Breanne, Jenna and Rachel created the Discover your Watershed Activity Book for grades 1-6.

Inside the book are 12 colourful pages which include:
• Information on what is a watershed
• A Fishy Maze
• Water conservation tips
• Facts about Water
• A Watershed Crossword Puzzle
• A Water Saving Word Search
• A Coloring Page
• And space to draw your own watershed pictures!

The girls can now be found in the local elementary schools classrooms handing out their activity book to students. They are glad that their teacher Mrs. Perillat introduced them to the contest, and really enjoyed working together for a “greater cause”.

Thanks to Nutrien sponsorship, 500 copies of the book have been printed to educate students across the watershed.

Project Wake Up

2011 Ponoka, Alberta, Canada

Meghan Rain became interested in environmental issues when a highway was built through an untamed green space where she and the other neighborhood kids would play. She was sad not only because they lost their play area but also because there was a fox den destroyed. She has been determined to help the watershed ever since.

For her Caring for our Watersheds proposal, Meghan focused on the garbage and other pollution entering into the Battle River and other waterways and the impact on the animals.

“Fortunately the water we drink is cleaned and filtered but I can’t say the same for the animals. Animals of all shapes and sizes come to drink in our river; meanwhile pollutants and garbage float around inside of it.”

Meghan wrote a hip and catchy song called “Wake-Up” which educates people about the importance of keeping the waters clean. Meghan recorded the song and has shared it via email with friends, family and with over 100 people at the CFW Final competition.