By Wayne Hildebrand Bill Alexander is a fourth generation cattle producer who farms near Lenore, Manitoba. Bill and his wife Darla recently signed two Conservation Agreements with Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation (MHHC) to protect their grassland pastures and preserve the natural ecosystems on their farm. “Our farm is strictly a cow-calf operation,” said Alexander. “The soil just isn’t suited to … Read More
Farming in the Forest – Great Tastes of Manitoba
MHHC participated in a local TV program, Great Tastes of Manitoba, to offer a view on how environmental conservation and cattle production go hand in hand. See the video below for more information.
Grassland Stewardship Program Offers New Opportunities for Cattle Producers
Manitoba Beef Producers received funding from Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) to offer the Keep Grazing Program to cattle producers over a three-year period. The focus of the program was to deliver information and incentives to cattle producers about enhancing pastureland, with the goal of improving grass quality and maintaining a healthy habitat for species at risk. Manitoba Habitat … Read More
New Regenerative Accelerator Project on the Prairies
In an effort to improve soil health, Holistic Management Canada has received $324,179 from Manitoba’s Conservation Trust to support new Regenerative Accelerator projects across the province. Ninety five percent of our food is directly or indirectly produced on our soils. Scientists are warning that soil health has been degrading faster than our current ability to replenish it. A Soil Health … Read More
East Area Wetland Restoration Project Creates Wetland Education Opportunities
Conservation Trust contribution: $100,000 Total Project Budget: $242,175 In 2019, one of the first grants from the Conservation Trust went to Brandon’s Riverbank Discovery Centre for its East Area Interpretive Wetlands project. The project helped restore a wetland that was greatly damaged by flooding in 2011 and 2014. Because the wetland is a focal point for visitors and conservation education … Read More
McNish Conservation Agreement Restores Wetlands
Terry and Allyson McNish live in a grand “revitalized” 1902 farmhouse south of Strathclair Manitoba in the Rural Municipality of Oakview. They both work off farm and still find time to raise Angus-cross cattle, Berkshire pigs, sheep, alpacas, and chickens. The “Little Eden Farm” is comprised of a quarter section and is a labour of love for Terry and Allyson. … Read More
Habitat Protection Made Easy Through Partnership Agreement
Benito area grain farmer John Sandborn recently donated 58.5 acres of pristine woodland habitat to the Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation (MHHC) through a Conservation Agreement. The agreement will protect the habitat forever. The Swan Lake Watershed District partnered with John and MHHC to facilitate signing of the Conservation Agreement. The mixed coniferous and deciduous forest is located south of Benito … Read More
Incentives to Preserve Pasture Lands
Brian and Kristen Breemersch operate a cow-calf farming operation located southwest of Brandon. Their land is primarily pastureland that is interspersed with wetlands. They bought the land from Kristen’s parents about 20 years ago to start a family run farm. Their land attracts a rich variety of waterfowl and wildlife, which Brian and Kristen enjoy. Several years ago, Brian visited … Read More
Canada invests $25 million to protect wetlands and grasslands in the Prairies
“Today, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, on behalf of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, announced more than $25 million in funding to conserve, restore, and enhance critical wetlands and grasslands in the Prairie provinces” “Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation will receive up to $2.4 million over three years for projects … Read More
Healthy Habitat Welcomes Waterfowl
April is prime time for migrating waterfowl to return to south western Manitoba. Why is this area so special to waterfowl? The wetlands and grasslands of the Prairie Pothole Region are some of the best waterfowl breeding grounds on the planet. Spring is a critical time in the life cycle of a duck. The migration from their south winter home … Read More