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ALUS SAW - Carrot River
Saskatchewan Association of Watersheds (SAW) Carrot River
ALUS
Program Summary
This is a collaborative initiative between the Saskatchewan Association of Watersheds and ALUS, launched in the Carrot River watershed. The program aims to introduce the ALUS model to farming and ranching communities in the province. The Carrot River area features fertile black soils and a diverse agricultural landscape, making it a prime region for productive farming. This program will implement various nature-based projects, such as establishing perennial forages, installing exclusion fencing, enhancing wetlands, and planting shelterbelts. These initiatives aim to support local farmers and ranchers in improving environmental stewardship and generating ecosystem services while fostering community engagement.
Program characteristics
Province
Saskatchewan
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
NGO
Commitment Type
Restoration / Re-seeding / Conversion, Infrastructure Installation, Management Agreement, Land Conservation / Protection
Commitment Term
Short Term (1 to 10 years)
Program web site
Conservation Goals
This program aims to holistically address environment sustainability and agricultural productivity.
Eligible Lands
Eligible landscapes include agricultural land, wetlands, and riparian areas in the Carrot River watershed region.
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.
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 Jennifer Redekop at j.redekop@saskwatersheds.ca or 306-321-7757
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/