Wetlands Workshop Held in Beaver County

Wetlands Workshop Held in Beaver County

Megan Andre Agroforestry & Woodlot Extension Society

Lucky guests were hosted on the banks of beautiful Amisk Creek in Beaver County on Aug. 27.

This area is home to an array of over 50 species of native plants, including many native wildflowers. Agroforestry & Woodlot Extension Society, (AWES) was joined by the Alberta not-for-profit Cows and Fish, who demonstrated the Cows and Fish Riparian Health Assessment.

Following this assessment, it was determined that planting trees would be greatly beneficial. AWES typically works with landowners to help them get the most benefits from planting trees. In this case, the landowner was interested in sheltered areas for cattle and improved water quality. In under 30 minutes, participants completed a small planting project and learned that it’s quick and easy to harvest, and plant willow stems cut from a nearby tree stand.

This free workshop was carried out as part of an ongoing Wetland (Riparian) Management Project, aimed at educating rural Alberta’s landowners and other individuals, on the many benefits of healthy riparian areas. Some of the topics covered include living harmoniously with beavers, riparian grazing strategies, natural and assisted reestablishment of vegetative cover.

This project was funded by the Alberta Government through the Wetland Resiliency and Restoration Program.