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ALUS WUQWATR
WUQWATR
Photo: WUQWATR
Program Summary
WUQWATR (Wascana & Upper Qu'Appelle Watersheds Association Taking Responsibility) delivers several ALUS-supported programs including projects done on cropland or pasture/hay land, conversion of cropland to perennial forages, wetland and riparian enhancement, wetland restoration, enhancing natural water runs, and bluebird and hen boxes. Landowners can access per-acre and per-project incentive payments.
Program characteristics
Province
Saskatchewan
Natural Features
Wetlands, Riparian Areas, Forest / Treed, Grasslands, Native Grasses, Species-at-risk Habitat, Wildlife Habitat
Agriculture Type
Rangeland / Pasture
Program Scope
Regional/Local
Conservation Approach
Restoration, Beneficial Practices, Species-At-Risk Protection, Protection
Incentive Type
Payment for Practices / Conservation / Credits, Cost-sharing / Discounts, Recognition, Technical Advice
Delivery Agent Type
NGO
Commitment Type
Land Conservation / Protection, Management Agreement, Restoration / Re-seeding / Conversion, Infrastructure Installation
Commitment Term
Short Term (1 to 10 years)
Program web site
Conservation Goals
WUQWATR's ALUS program seeks to convert marginal cropland to perennial forage, conserve prairie habitat, and conserve and restore wetlands and riparian areas.
Eligible Lands
Eligible landscapes include properties in the WUQWATR sub-watersheds, including Wascana Creek, Upper Qu’Appelle River, Lanigan-Manitou, and Last Mountain Lake.
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.
WUQWATR's ALUS program helps producers restore wetlands, reforest, plant windbreaks, install riparian buffers, manage sustainable drainage systems, create pollinator habitat, and establish other environmental stewardship projects on their land.
More detailed information is available in their fact sheet at https://wuqwatr.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/WUQWATR_ALUS_Factsheet_2022-1.pdf
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.
Program participants sign an agreement with WUQWATR committing to maintaining the practices or restored habitat for the term of the agreement.
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.
Projects done on cropland
$50.00/ac
Projects done on pasture/hay land
$30.00/ac (with management plan)
Conversion of cropland to perennial forages
$30.00/ac (with management plan)
Enhanced wetlands larger than 2 acres
$20.00/ac
Enhanced wetlands smaller than 2 acres
$30.00/ac
Enhanced riparian areas
$20.00/ac
Enhanced natural water runs and creeks (excluding crown land)
$10.00/ac
Bluebird boxes
$5.00/house
Hen houses
$10.00/house
Restoration of wetlands
Negotiable – Follow projects done on crop or pastureland payments
Contact Information
For more information, contact Nicole Moffat at n.moffat@saskwatersheds.ca or 306-513-9123
Important to Know
This program is delivered in partnership with ALUS Canada .
ALUS Canada supports local organizations to deliver payment for ecosystem service programs across Canada, including the prairies. ALUS programs provide participants with per-acre annual payments in exchange for actions that support the continued flow of ecosystem goods and services, including creating, enhancing and restoring wetlands, planting trees and windbreaks, planting riparian buffers, creating pollinator habitat, and piloting alternative land management practices.
The ALUS program is currently delivered in six provinces across Canada, including Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. For more information see https://alus.ca/frequently-asked-questions/