Alternative Land Use Services

Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS) is a voluntary, incentive-based, private land conservation project that paid landowners and farmers to maintain and enhance the natural assets that they manage. ALUS projects have been implemented in multiple provinces.  In Manitoba, from 2006 to 2009, a pilot project took place in Blanshard Municipality, which is within the Little Saskatchewan River Conservation District. This pilot project was the first of its kind in Canada.

In co-operation with Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC), the Little Saskatchewan River Conservation District and other partners informed landowners and producers of the opportunity to participate in this pilot project. Four categories of lands were established, with varying levels of payment: wetlands, natural areas, riparian areas, and ecologically sensitive lands. Landowners were eligible to enroll any of their natural, wetland, and riparian areas and up to 20% of their ecologically sensitive lands in the ALUS program and receive an annual payment based on the type of land and level of environmental benefit provided. Producers signed contracts with MASC outlining their intentions, farm visits were scheduled as needed, and audits were conducted as per Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation standards. MAFRD provided significant financial and technical support to the ALUS pilot.

Approximately 21,000 acres were enrolled in the ALUS pilot project, with more than 70% of landowners participating. Over the three years of operation, approximately $1.2 million in payments was issued. ALUS was most effective in acquiring wetland services, particularly with no agricultural use. This was attributed to the higher payment structure in this category, as well as to enrolment of land with low agricultural potential. The high level of acceptance and uptake was attributed to local community involvement in the pilot, and strong support from local, provincial and federal governments, as well as other organizations.

The pilot project’s intent was to serve as a source of information to governments and other decision makers in the development of agricultural policy. Project evaluation focused on whether an incentive and landscape based EG&S program would be accepted by rural landowners, what the potential cost and savings might be, and how to feasibly deliver such a program. Through the communication for this project, the intent was also to inform Canadians about the environmental services created and maintained by farm families.

ALUS Factsheets

• Project Information
• Ecologically Sensitive Lands
• Natural Areas
• Riparian Areas
• Wetland Areas

Additional ALUS links

• The ALUS Basics
• Benefits Outweigh Costs of National ALUS Program
• Waterside Wonders: Protecting Riparian Areas with ALUS
• Investing in Manitoba’s Wetlands
• Federal-Provincial Agreement Supports Ecological Goods and Services Research Project
• Provincial Funding Helps Project Into its Third Phase

ALUS Projects in Other Provinces:  

Alberta

An ALUS demonstration project has been initiated in the County of Vermilion River in order to establish and test the feasibility of an EG&S program that will be community-led and delivered by producers. The initial emphasis will be creating demonstration farms that retain, restore and conserve wetlands and riparian areas, and enhance and create grasslands and other cover on surrounding uplands. These activities will benefit waterfowl while providing an array of other EG&S. Subsequent phases of the project will result in an expansion of demonstration farms and the variety of services provided.

Ontario
Since the initiation of ALUS in Norfolk County, the agricultural community has restored 450 acres of marginal farm land to native habitat. This initiative is led by producers that recognize the value of conserving and restoring natural capital while rewarding the role producers play in environmental management. Restoration projects are developed with producers and are designed to complement the farming operation with its surrounding landscape.

Prince Edward Island
The goals of Prince Edward Island’s ALUS program are to reduce soil erosion, improve water quality, improve and increase wildlife habitat and reduce the impacts of climate change. Producers are incented to remove land from agricultural production or to adopt beneficial management practices that protect soil and water quality or improve fish and wildlife habitat. Practices include establishing native trees in buffer zones, establishing and expanding buffer zones, retiring high-sloped land, establishing soil conservation structures and maintaining livestock fence adjacent to watercourses and wetlands.