ALUS Program Earns Minister’s Award for Environmental Excellence

ALUS Honoured in Ontario

MinisterAward
The Alternative Land Use Services program was one of nine Ontario entities to earn the 2013 Minister’s Award for Environment Excellence in January. The honour was designated to those demonstrating a strong commitment to environmental excellence.

“We hope the examples we see today inspire others to be innovators in protecting our natural heritage,” said Glen Murray, Ontario’s minister of the environment and climate change.

Recipients of the award collaborated with communities and local volunteers to restore wildlife habitat, conserve water and energy, and prevent pollutants and nutrients from entering the Great Lakes. ALUS helps farmers and ranchers improve their crops and livestock, while conserving and restoring native habitats. Farmers are rewarded for land management practices that create productive agricultural systems and a healthy countryside.

ALUS found a foothold in 2007 in Norfolk County, Ontario, making it the oldest and longest-running program in Canada. With the addition of three other pilot communities, ALUS grew to encompass hundreds of farm families and thousands of acres across the province.

Across Canada, more than 250 farms are currently enrolled in ALUS, participating in 500 projects that cover 5,000 acres of farmland. ALUS projects conserve wetlands, retain soils, provide habitat and increase vegetative cover along streams and rivers.

ALUS Receives Over $500,000 for Species at Risk Habitat in Ontario

ALUS Receives Over $500,000 for Species at Risk Habitat in Ontario

On August 21st, Ontario Minister David Piccini announced new funding for ALUS through the Species at Risk Stewardship Program   This pond at the Crump Family Farm helps improve water quality by holding, slowing and filtering water, benefitting species at risk in...

Partnerships Plant More Trees

Partnerships Plant More Trees

Community leaders from ALUS Northern Sunrise, Tree Canada and Alberta Conservation Association leverage new partnerships to accelerate environmental and community impacts    Aerial view of the ALUS Northern Sunrise tree planting project site. Credit: Katie...