Over the past three years, we’ve shared stories and insights from the ALUS Peel Pilot program. As the pilot draws to a close, we reflect on its partnership with nine farmers in the Credit River Watershed.
Farmers Produce Ecosystem Goods and Services that
Benefit Everyone
The nine participating farms created about 28 hectares of diverse habitats and erosion control structures, including native grasslands, meadows, trees and shrubs. That’s about as big as 55 football fields! These habitats and structures, like windbreaks and plantings in sensitive areas, provide essential ecosystem services that benefit the entire community, support wildlife and improve soil health and water quality.
Habitat Types and Their Benefits
- New grasslands: About 9 hectares support biodiversity by offering habitat for pollinators, birds, and small mammals. The grasslands also improve soil health and water quality through erosion control and runoff reduction.
- Trees, shrubs and windbreaks: About 20 hectares protect crops from wind erosion, stabilize soil, conserve moisture, and provide shelter and food for wildlife. These plantings also filter pollutants from the air and water and store carbon, helping to mitigate climate change.
- Erosion control structures: Three structures reduce soil erosion by slowing water runoff and capturing sediment, which prevents the loss of fertile soil. The structures also improve water quality by filtering out pollutants before they enter streams and rivers. By stabilizing soil and promoting vegetation growth, they help reduce the risk of flooding and improve land health.
Ongoing Commitment to Monitoring and Maintenance
The farmers involved in the ALUS Peel Pilot are committed to monitoring and maintaining their projects to ensure they continue to thrive. This ongoing stewardship ensures the projects’ benefits are sustained, fostering a healthier, more resilient ecosystem for generations to come.
The ALUS Peel Pilot, an extension of the Peel Rural Water Quality Program, offers funding to farmers to restore natural features to their lands.