By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

started in 1987

Habitat Steward Program re-launched by Red Deer River Naturalists

Feb 5, 2022 | 11:37 AM

The Red Deer River Naturalists (RDRN) — Alberta’s oldest naturalists organization — is re-launching its Habitat Steward Program.

The program started in 1987 to recognize landowners who conserved habitat on private lands.

By 1999, the program had 130 landowners participating across central Alberta, actively protecting 13,450 acres of land. It eventually went by the wayside, however, as interest waned, the organization says.

It’s now got new life thanks to funding support from a bequest, as well as the Red Deer and District Community Foundation.

“As with the original program, the sole intent of the Habitat Steward Program is to give recognition to landowners who, on their own initiative and at their own expense, conserve at least two hectares (five acres) of wildlife habitat on their property. Any landowner, including acreage owners, who live within 100 km of Red Deer are invited to participate,” a release from RDRN states.

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“Participants will receive a gate sign and their habitat details will be entered into a database. Participation does not entail replacing other initiatives, removing lands from agricultural production, placing caveats or other restrictions, allowing access, excluding hunting, preventing grazing, or having any input into land management practices. The only request is that, should the land be altered to the point that it is no longer providing habitat, the sign be returned.”

The secondary benefit of the program is the education and awareness it facilitates, as neighbours and other passers-by will notice the signs.

More details about the program and a copy of the application forms can be found at https://www.naturecentral.org/habitat-steward-program.html. Forms can be printed out, filled in and mailed in, or submitted online. Gate signs will be delivered to participants in March and April 2022. For more information about the program, contact Habitat Steward Coordinator, Myrna Pearman at myrnapearman.nature@gmail.com.