Off the Creek is Off and Running in 2012!

The other day, I was talking with a lady who asked me "what do you do?"  I told her I worked for Red Deer County, and my job was to assist farmers, ranchers and other landowners, in doing things to look after their land, their businesses, and the environment.

Like many people, she asked me how that was going...I told her I am continually impressed by the knowledge local landowners have about the environment, their operation, and the interactions between the two.  I gave her some examples of the many actions landowners are taking to benefit the environment.

Since 2006, 56 landowners have completed 75 projects.  The Landowners who completed projects from 2006 to 2010 were recognized with an Emerald Award for their efforts. 

A number of the landowners who completed Off the Creek Projects in 2011 were just recognized as "Watershed Ambassadors" by the Red Deer River Watershed Alliance.  Look to the February edition of the County News, or the next newsletter from the Red Deer River Watershed Alliance, to see who these people are.

Hint: One of these Landowners is highlighted in the last video posted on Off the Creek TV...check it out if you haven't already: Taking Livestock Watering to New Heights

Already in 2012, a riparian fencing project and a winter watering system have been supported by the Off the Creek Program.

2012 is shaping up to be a great year...please encourage any Red Deer County landowner you know, to consider participating in the Off the Creek Program.

Upcoming Events of Interest

Check out these great events coming up early in 2012: (click on the highlighted words to be linked to more information).  These events are all in or close to Red Deer County.
January 17 - 18, 2012 (Tuesday & Wednesday)

• Agronomy Update 2012

Wednesday, January 18, 2012 (Wednesday)

• Cattle Behaviour, Stress and Handling...with Dr. Temple Grandin

February 6, 2012 (Monday):

• The Medicine River Watershed Society Annual Open House

February 16, 2012 (Thursday):

• Ranching Opportunities 2012

February 27, 2012 (Monday):

• Working Well Workshop in Red Deer County.  Call Judy Murphy to register 403-350-2163.  Click here for more info about the Working Well Program.

Many more excellent Agriculture and Conservation events are posted here (on Ropin' the Web):

http://www.agric.gov.ab.ca/app55/events

Environmentally Signficant Areas Open House at the Red Deer County Office

WHEN: Tuesday, December 13, from 4:30 to 8:30 (PM)

This is a chance to see the draft policies about Environmentally Significant Areas, as they might appear in Red Deer County's Municipal Development Plan.

If you'd like to see these draft policies, they are available at:

https://reddeercounty.civicweb.net/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=12457

Well...after a few months away from the “Blogosphere” doing green season/growing season things, I figured it’s way overdue to start up the Off the Creek Blog again...now that the ground’s freezing and the snow is falling (kind of).

Please check out the newest feature: Off the Creek TV (you’ll see it as a separate “tab” above).  Future postings will include more videos, including videos of Off the Creek Projects.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE OFF THE CREEK PROGRAM 2011

·        15 Projects :

o   6 “off-creek” watering projects

o   5 riparian management fencing projects

o   3 riparian management fencing and off-creek watering projects

o   1 tree planting project (involving 6 different landowners)

·        Impacts:

o   234 acres of riparian area

o   122 acres of native range / forest

o   6.21 miles of river and stream

o   7.3 acres of pond / wetland

o   669 animal units under “special riparian / range management”.

A BIG THANKS to the landowners doing Off the Creek projects in 2011. 

PLEASE NOTE: There is still enough funding left over to do maybe one or two more projects...new portable shelters anyone?  Or maybe new fencing for winter grazing? 

Contact me if you're interested!  Or download the Application form (see the Off the Creek Doc's tab above), and send it in!

Time for a Check-up? Workshop on Monitoring Pasture Health

An exciting Upcoming Event hosted by Mountain View County and Grey Wooded Forage Association.  It will take place near Olds...not too far away.  This is one to take in if you can!  Here's the poster for it.  Contact Grey Wooded Forage Association to register or for more info.

Sustainable Grazing Mentorship Program

Well, here we are well into the 2011 forage growing season...
I thought now might be a good time to remind producers about an amazing resource available to you: the Sustainable Grazing Mentorship Program.

This link takes you to a brochure on the program: http://www.areca.ab.ca/images/stories/Files/ARECA/SGMP_Brochure_2010.pdf

The program is delivered by the Applied Research and Extension Council of Alberta.

And the Emerald Award Winners Are... ... ... The Off the Creek Landowners!!

On Wednesday, June 15, at the Citadel Theatre in Edmonton, the Off the Creek Landowners were named as one of the 2011 Emerald Award Winners.

A very big congratulations goes out to all 44 of the Landowners!  You deserve it.  The title of your nomination was "Leaders by Example", which is of course exactly what you are.

Two of the Off the Creek Landowners attended the ceremonies.  Murray Stauffer accepted the Emerald Award on behalf of all the Landowners.  You can read an interview with Murray in an article from the Red Deer Advocate, at:

http://www.albertalocalnews.com/reddeeradvocate/news/local/Landowners_strike_Emerald_124066879.html

Watch for an article about the Emerald Award in the July 2011 edition of the County News (which, in case you don't get it at home, will be posted online at http://www.rdcounty.ca/news/county-newsletter )

Also, Stephen Smith helped the nomination by being interviewed as part of a video that was shown at the Emerald Awards Gala.  The video is now online, at: http://www.emeraldfoundation.ca/recipients/community (make sure you scroll down the screen to find the video...)

I'd also like to make a mention of Don and Marie Ruzicka, who farm in the Iron Creek watershed east of Camrose.  They also won an Emerald Award, for their environmental efforts with their farming operation.  Their video is found at: http://www.emeraldfoundation.ca/recipients/individual-ruzicka

Congratulations to all the winners!