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ALUS Big Lakes
Big Lakes County
Big Lakes County
Program Summary
ALUS Big Lakes offers producers a practical way to start or expand conservation efforts without long-term commitments. Led by a local Partnership Advisory Committee of farmers, ranchers, and technical experts, the program supports projects like wetlands, riparian buffers, and wildlife habitat.
Producers receive cost-share support to establish projects and annual payments for management and maintenance, all under short-term (typically 5-year) agreements that fit the realities of a working farm or ranch. ALUS is a simple, flexible way to step into stewardship—or complement other long-term conservation tools like easements.
Program characteristics
Province
Alberta
Natural Features
Forest / Treed, Grasslands, Native Grasses, Riparian Areas, Species-at-risk Habitat, Wetlands, Wildlife Habitat
Agriculture Type
Cropland, Rangeland / Pasture
Program Scope
Regional/Local
Conservation Approach
Beneficial Practices, Protection, Restoration, Species-At-Risk Protection
Incentive Type
Cost-sharing / Discounts, Payment for Practices / Conservation / Credits, Recognition, Technical Advice
Delivery Agent Type
Municipal Government
Commitment Type
Restoration / Re-seeding / Conversion, Management Agreement, Land Conservation / Protection, Infrastructure Installation
Commitment Term
Short Term (1 to 10 years)
Program web site
Conservation Goals
ALUS Big Lakes engages in projects that regenerate and protect marginal and environmentally sensitive land which leads to improved water quality, reduced soil erosion, enhanced biodiversity, enhanced functioning of riparian areas, and support the ecological function of wetlands, forests and grasslands.
Eligible Lands
Eligible lands include those within Big Lakes County that include:
•Watercourses in fields/pastures
•Steeply sloped crop lands
•Low wet fields and wetlands
•Highly erodible fields
•Small fields that can’t handle farming equipment efficiently
Additional Details
Flexible, producer-designed projects: Producers choose project types that fit their land, operation, and goals—common examples include wetland restoration, riparian buffers, pollinator habitat, and livestock management fencing.
Ongoing intake: Applications are generally accepted year-round, though annual funding may be fully allocated early.
Easy start-up process:
1) Contact the ALUS Coordinator to discuss your operation and project ideas.
2) The Coordinator works with you to prepare a proposal.
3) Your proposal is reviewed by the Partnership Advisory Committee (PAC)—a local group of producers and technical experts who guide decision-making.
4) If approved, you sign a short-term conservation agreement and move ahead with project implementation.
Cost-share support: ALUS shares project establishment costs with producers, lowering the financial barrier to get started.
Annual stewardship payments: Producers receive annual payments for managing and maintaining their projects for each year of their agreement.
Flexible agreements: Most agreements are short-term (typically 5 years), can be renewed at the end of the term, and include exit clauses if circumstances change.
Commitment
ALUS participants design projects that work specifically on their farm and meet their own stewardship goals. They sign voluntary conservation agreements, typically five years in length, which outline the management expectations and annual payments expected. At the end of the agreement term, the agreement and annual payments may be renewed.
Participants in the Big Lakes County ALUS program typically commit to one or more of the following:
•Creating watering systems for livestock
• Creating fencing around water bodies/improving waterbody buffers
• Enhancing/expanding riparian areas (wet areas surrounding waterbodies)
• Restoring, creating or enhancing wetlands
• Housing bird nesting structures or other habitat structures
• Planting flowering plants for pollinator habitat
• Reforesting or enhancing tree stands
• Building multi-row shelterbelts of trees to protect fields from wind and snow
• Planting native grasses for forage or habitat
Incentive
ALUS offers a unique payment-for-ecosystem services model.
The producer cost-shares with the program to get the project established, then ALUS pays the producer an annual payment to manage and maintain their project for the optimal production of ecosystem services.
Payment rates vary based on the project type. For more details, please contact the program coordinator.
Contact Information
For more information, contact the Assistant Ag Services Manager at 780-523-5955 ext 225 or asstagfieldman@biglakescounty.ca
Important to Know
•This program is delivered in partnership with ALUS Canada.
•ALUS Canada supports local organizations in delivering payment-for-ecosystem-services programs in communities across Canada, including in AB, SK and MB.
•Participants receive annual, per-acre payments for creating, restoring, or enhancing natural features such as wetlands, riparian buffers, pollinator habitats, windbreaks, and tree plantings and managing their project to produce a "crop" of ecosystem services that benefit their community.
•The program is entirely voluntary and flexible—there are no legal registrations placed on the land title.
•For more information, visit: https://alus.ca/frequently-asked-questions/