TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO LAND OWNERS
Much of the technical assistance provided landowners and land users consists of helping them adopt conservation Best Management Practices (BMPs) such as:
- tillage, crop rotation, after-harvest stubble-residue technologies to reduce soil erosion and prevent sediment build-up:
- conservation technology for irrigation, pesticide application and stock watering;
- designing farming practices to meet Food Security Act requirements;
- designing manure-management systems - gutters, water-recycling, manure containment and manure fertilizing systems for dairies and feedlot operations;
- designing/building holding ponds, drainage systems to restore and create wetlands;
- obtaining and planting trees/grass on non-productive land for wildlife habitat and to decrease soil and wind erosion;
- helping non-industrial foresters adopt BMPs;
- urban-runoff prevention methods/information to contractors and developers;
- promoting pasture management and stock watering BMPs for hobby farms;
- encouraging public involvement in resource policy making, and
- working with schools to foster environmentally aware, action-oriented adults.