| Category | Community Group |
|---|---|
| Status | Finalist |
| Year | 2009 |
| Nominee | West County Watershed Group |
| Project | Riparian Reforestation and Wildlife Habitat Enhancement |
| Summary Of Activity | The Beaverlodge River Watershed's riparian areas, which border woodlands and wetlands, have experienced extensive deforestation and habitat degradation that has led to poor water quality, significant bank erosion, higher water temperatures and the loss of many native fish and wildlife species such as Arctic Grayling and Northern Pintails. This community partnership project strives to both improve and build awareness for riparian health and wildlife habitat through a combination of education and awareness, reforestation, bioengineering, fencing and offsite watering. The project focuses on overgrazed pastures and cultivated farmland with no trees along the waterways. This is being done by working in partnership with the landowners, municipal and provincial governments, youth organizations, conservation groups and private industry. |
| Barriers/Challenges To Success | A major challenge to success is access to secure, long term funding needed for sustaining and planning long term future projects. Education, awareness and eventual practice change by landowners can only be achieved by the creation of a stewardship ethic that is built through awareness activities and community participation. The ongoing challenge is to entice new landowners to participate in the restoration efforts. The West County Watershed Group hopes to do so by focusing on the benefits of beneficial management practices and offering incentives to landowners through a combination of recognition and financial assistance to local participants. |
| Contact |
Mr. Doug Macaulay/Jill Henry/John Hallett/WCWG Woodlot and Agroforestry Specialist/Rural Extension Officer/Technician Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development/County of Grande Prairie/Alberta Conservation Association |
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County of Grande Prairie Agricultural Service Board , P.O. Box 6000 Clairmont, AB T0H 0W0 |
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| Telephone | 780-513-3955 ext. 103 |
| Fax | 780-532-4273 |
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Contact through Email |
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http://www.countygp.ab.ca |
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