Nutrien Supports Community and Conservation

► by Mary McIntyre

Not everyone has the time or opportunity to take an extensive fishing trip. Fortunately, stocked urban ponds in or near major centres can fill that gap and provide a real connection with the outdoors. These waterbodies are special—they transform a local landmark into a place where a community can connect on many levels.

Alberta Conservation Association (ACA) is privileged to have Nutrien supporting our fish stocking program. This Canadian fertilizer company’s community relations strategy is focused on facilitating positive social change, so our partnership is an ideal fit. Together, we are creating fishing opportunities at six locations near where people live and work.

Nutrien talks about “feeding the future,” recognizing its fertilizer products help make the world grow. Along the same vein, they help bolster our communities by using community relations funds to enrich people’s lives—here, through the conservation and stewardship of Alberta’s fishery. Their decision to begin their partnership with ACA in 2018 was driven by a desire to support the communities where they operate.

It’s easy to see how funding fishing, one of the most accessible outdoor sports, is a surefire way to enhance a community’s quality of life. When people spend time fishing or learning to fish, they create or strengthen their relationships with the outdoors while fulfilling an age-old need to pursue and catch. It also gives locals a special place to explore, recharge, or unwind. “Nutrien has thousands of employees in Alberta,” says Ted Sawchuk, general manager of Nutrien’s Fort Saskatchewan nitrogen production facility. “For us, mental wellness is a top priority, so supporting conservation in a way that is also fun and engaging for our communities, employees, and their families is a win for all.”

Fish stocking is an important part of Alberta’s recreational angling experience. For the past two years, five ponds and one lake in Alberta have sported great fishing opportunities thanks to Nutrien’s dedication to authentic community outreach and engagement. Residents from Gibbons, Lacombe, Red Deer, Strathmore, and Tees have had the opportunity to catch and harvest stocked trout throughout the summer. As Ken Kranrod, vice president at ACA, points out, “Nutrien has stepped up in a major way to help support multiple waterbodies. It’s very much appreciated.”

Nutrien also supports ACA’s live video feed of nesting peregrine falcons at its Redwater Fertilizer Operations facility in Alberta. While it is fun to watch the peregrine pair nest and take care of their young, projects like this one help ensure that the protection and conservation of these falcons remain a priority.

ACA is grateful to be collaborating with Nutrien and our other Corporate Partners in Conservation. After all, working together gives us the best opportunity to provide future generations with an abundance and diversity of wildlife, fish, and their habitats.