The ALUS WUQWATR program is an exciting and meaningful initiative that works with farmers and ranchers in the Wascana and Upper Qu’Appelle watersheds to help enhance the benefits of nature on the working landscape in Saskatchewan.
ALUS expanded into the community in 2015 and is supported by the Wascana & Upper Qu’Appelle Watersheds Association Taking Responsibility (WUQWATR), a non-profit organization. WUQWATR was established to implement the source water protection plan for the Wascana and Upper Qu’Appelle watersheds and continues to focus on promoting watershed stewardship through programming, communications and initiatives to help protect surface and ground waters.
The program is available to all four sub-watersheds within WUQWATR: Wascana Creek, Upper Qu’Appelle River, Lanigan-Manitou and the Last Mountain Lake watershed. Staff work with each producer to provide the support and technical resources specific to their needs. This individualized approach allows for innovative and non-prescriptive solutions to environmental priorities on their land.
“We enjoy watching the program expand in our watersheds and have enrolled over 3,500 acres to date with over 30 different producers,” says WUQWATR Programs Lead, Justine Melo. “We are excited to see what the future holds for the ALUS WUQWATR program and continue to spread the word to producers about the benefits and importance of this conservation initiative.”
Working with private landowners and program supporters through the ALUS program allows WUQWATR to address key matters in their Source Water Protection Plan. Recently, a generous donation from Nutrien Lanigan Potash has allowed WUQWATR to support four renewal projects in 2020-2021 and keep over 400 acres enrolled in the ALUS program creating ecosystem services, such as cleaner air and water, for all to benefit from. Through ALUS, WUQWATR can focus on the watershed’s environmental targets which include reducing soil erosion and nutrient loading, protecting groundwater and aquifers and mitigating flood risks.
Community Links
The ALUS Difference in WUQWATR
News & Events
Larry and DeLee Grant: Flexible and Strong in Saskatchewan
ALUS WUQWATR participants Larry and DeLee Grant produce wildlife habitat and other ecosystem services in Saskatchewan. It’s no secret that one of the strongest assets of the ALUS program is its flexibility—and this is certainly the case in ALUS WUQWATR, Saskatchewan....
Cold Hands, Warm Hearts: ALUS Canada’s October 2018 Field Conference
ALUS Canada’s October 2018 Field Conference proves that Prairie spirits cannot be dampened by the weather. On October 10 and 11, early snow across Manitoba and Saskatchewan made for unexpectedly wintry conditions as ALUS Canada’s Prairie Hub gathered for their 2018...
Murray and Warren Wild: Pride and Hard Work
ALUS WUQWATR participants Murray and Warren Wild steward acres of native grasslands, wetlands and riparian zones in Saskatchewan. ALUS WUQWATR participants Murray and Warren Wild grow grain and oilseeds and manage livestock on their mixed farm near Last Mountain Lake,...
ALUS WUQWATR Coordinators
Nathan Avery
WUQWATR
Office: 1440 Fleury Street
Mail: Box 965
Regina, SK
S4P 3B2
[email protected]
(306) 529-5125
Delta Waterfowl
Saskatchewan Association of Watersheds (SAW)
Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation (SWF)
Agriculture Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS)
Nutrien
Julien Pagé
ALUS Montérégie PAC Chair, and 1st Vice-President of the Montérégie UPA Federation
Christian St-Jacques
Farmer and former President, Fédération de l’UPA de la Montérégie
Charles Boulerice
Farmer, and President, Syndicat de l’UPA la Vallée-du-Richelieu
Florent Raymond
Farmer, Hazen-Bleury et de la Barbotte committee
André Mousseau
Farmer and President, Syndicat de l’UPA Vallée maskoutaine
Martin Berger
Farmer andmember of the Pot au Beurre et AgriClimat project committee
Claude Vasseur
Farmer and former Vice-President, Syndicat de l’UPA du Haut-Richelieu
Marie-Laure Marcotte
Agronomist at Groupe ProConseil and member of the Huron River committee
Marcel Comiré
General Manager, COVABAR
Annie Tremblay
Agronomist at Agri Conseils Maska
Renée Gagnon
Executive Director, CIME Haut-Richelieu