The ALUS Saddle Hills program is a partnership between ALUS and Saddle Hills County. Saddle Hills County is a large, rural municipality situated in the Central Peace Region of northwestern Alberta, bordering the banks of the beautiful Peace River. The County is roughly 5,837 sq. km. in size, and is comprised of hard-working, independent farmers and agricultural producers working on 381 farms, which is approximately 535,279 acres of farmland.

Although widely known for its vast oilfields and recreational opportunities, it is also an agricultural hub. Primary agricultural products in the county are cattle, canola and peas.

Saddle Hills County is home to 2,338 people, with an average age of 39 and low population density, with rural homes including generational family farms and ranches, spread throughout the vast area.

The area is known for its wilderness and outdoor activities, and is home to Moonshine Lake Provincial Park, Jack Bird Pond, and the Shell True North Pond, which are all important wildlife habitat for the abundant wildlife in the area, including fish, birds, moose, dear, bears, elk, and much more. Cotillion Park borders the mighty Peace River, one of the prime recreation draws in the area, and an important water source throughout the Peace Region.

Amidst all this beauty, the ALUS Saddle Hills program coordinator works with local producers to help establish ALUS projects that work to address several important environmental issues. ALUS works to restore difficult to farm, and marginal lands into environmental projects that generate cleaner air and water, wildlife habitat, and other ecosystem services. ALUS enhances wetlands and riparian buffer areas, plants trees to boost wildlife, establishes new pollinator habitats, while also assisting with flood and drought resilience.

ALUS Saddle Hills participants receive professional support and an annual per acre payment for the establishment, maintenance, and long-term environmental outcomes of these ecological projects.

For more information, contact the ALUS Saddle Hills Program Coordinator.