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Species Habitat Assessments and Ranching Partnerships (SHARP)
Alberta Conservation Association (ACA)
Photo: Sean Feagan
Program Summary
Alberta Conservation Association's (ACA's) Species Habitat Assessments and Ranching Partnerships (SHARP) program works with landowners to develop habitat strategies after first completing range and riparian health assessments as well as wildlife inventories. This results in solutions that benefit both wildlife and the producer, the potential for cost-shared enhancements, and a monitoring plan to assess progress and effectiveness.
Program characteristics
Province
Alberta
Natural Features
Species-at-risk Habitat, Wildlife Habitat
Agriculture Type
Rangeland / Pasture
Program Scope
Regional/Local
Conservation Approach
Beneficial Practices
Incentive Type
Cost-sharing / Discounts, Technical Advice
Delivery Agent Type
NGO
Commitment Type
Management Agreement
Commitment Term
Short Term (1 to 10 years)
Conservation Goals
ACA's conservation goal with the SHARP program is to support the habitat needs of target species like sharp-tailed grouse, ruffed grouse, or species groups like amphibians, waterfowl, and pollinators.
Eligible Lands
Eligible lands for this program include properties within central or northwestern Alberta.
Additional Details
ACA develops an Habitat Conservation Strategy (HCS) after first completing in-depth range and riparian health assessments as well as wildlife inventories.
Mutually agreed-upon solutions are adopted and integrated into the HCS, along with a wildlife and range monitoring plan.
Producers then sign a five-year stewardship agreement, under which ACA assists with implementing enhancements and grazing strategies.
A Habitat Conservation Strategy (HCS) is a five-year, extendable, detailed voluntary plan that identifies beneficial management practices and habitat improvement recommendations to encourage sustainable ranching operations.
Commitment
Landowners sign a letter of intent commit to cooperate with range health assessment, riparian health assessment, and wildlife inventories; commit to working with ACA to develop a Habitat Conservation Strategy (HCS); and sign a 5-year stewardship agreement.
Incentive
Participating landowners receive: 1) detailed range health assessments, riparian assessments, and wildlife inventories for their property; 2). a co-developed Habitat Conservation Strategy that integrates with their grazing operations; 3) cost-sharing support for recommended enhancements; and 4) expert technical advice specific to their property.
Contact Information
For more information, contact 1-877-969-9091 or info@ab-conservation.com.
Important to Know
Progress is reassessed approximately every five years, with adjustments incorporated into a living management plan for the operation.
A landowner questionnaire is completed to identify what is or is not working from their perspective.
A subsequent five-year stewardship agreement may be signed for continued implementation of the HCS.
Landowners must allow reasonable public access for recreation on their ranch.