Stewardship in Action: An Update on the Rural Residential Stewardship Program

Since its inception in 2023, the Biosphere’s Rural Residential Stewardship Program has played a crucial role in supporting the region’s acreage owners’ efforts to conserve and protect the valuable natural assets associated with their properties.

Through community workshops, informative resources and cost-share funding from Environment and Climate Change Canada for stewardship projects, the program provides education and support, and alleviates financial barriers to make implementing stewardship practices more accessible and affordable for landowners. Leading the initiative is Program Coordinator, Milena McWatt.

"This program is great because not only are we are raising awareness of the Biosphere, but we are also helping acreage owners understand beneficial land management practices and providing unique financial support for a variety of projects that support conservation, enhancement and restoration of habitat and habitat connectivity," explains Milena.

In the program’s first year, five stewardship projects were funded; two in Beaver County, two in Strathcona County and one in Lamont County for a total of nearly $15,000. The projects included post-wildfire reforestation, riparian enhancements, exclusion fencing and planting native species for birds, bees and habitat preservation, and installing wildlife-friendly fencing for sustainable grazing to ensure the protection of critical habitats and ecosystems. All participants reported positive impacts related to restoration and enhancement of wildlife habitat and connectivity.

Landowners are required to contribute at least 25% in cash or in-kind contributions to their projects but the actual amount they contributed has been closer to 60%. This demonstrates their commitment to stewardship of the land and having a positive cumulative effect in the region. Through site visits with program participants, Milena has seen first-hand the progress being made on stewardship projects.

The type of projects continue to evolve and, in 2024, new and exciting initiatives included construction of a hibernaculum for prairie garter snakes, restoration of a variety of native species for pollinators, habitat enhancement to encourage biodiversity, wetland and riparian zone enhancement activities, and native tree and shrub planting. Just under $14,000 has been allocated thus far but funds are still available for 2025 initiatives, applications are still open and interested acreage owners are encouraged to apply.

For many participants, the project funding was the crucial support they needed to become a stewardship ambassador. As Katie Ahmadi, acreage owner and stewardship project participant from 2023 said in a site visit:

"We wouldn’t have been able to do this without the program, period. To have the financial support to make your property better is quite life changing."

Milena adds that the program also provides peer learning opportunities for rural residential landowners. So, in addition to the financial support for stewardship projects, people can engage with fellow stewards and learn from experts at the Rural Residential Stewardship workshops, gaining practical insights and learning about proven strategies specific to the environmental conditions and challenges in the Beaver Hills.

This year’s workshop series included Working with Beavers, Meet the Stewards in Your Neighbourhood, Living with Wildlife and Mitigating Risk of Wildfire with FireSmart. Two additional workshops are scheduled for November on Planting Native Trees and Shrubs and Living with Bears in the Biosphere.

According to Milena, the program has helped strengthen social ties, inspire community stewardship and a shared sense of responsibility to care for the land. Encouraged by participants’ reactions, she hopes to grow the program in the coming years.

"The interest has been good and we are seeing more and more new people sign up for workshops and reach out for site visits and project design assistance," she adds.

The program is one more important part of the collaborative efforts underway that contribute to the Biosphere achieving its goals to improve wildlife habitat and connectivity by combining stewardship and improvement and restoration of wildlife habitat and connectivity.

"From the smallest pollinator garden planted with native species on a hobby farm, to the management and outreach of a national park, combined with Indigenous connections to and knowledge of the land, municipal initiatives, scientific research and community outreach, the Biosphere is fostering collaborative planning and management efforts that are making a difference," says Milena.

Are you an acreage owner in the Biosphere looking for support to begin or continue your stewardship journey? Click here for more information on project funding and eligibility, and to register for an upcoming workshop.