ALUS Norfolk - Long Point Biospherelongpointbiosphere.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/LPWBRF...ALUS Norfolk [email protected] VISION •Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS) has a

ALUS Norfolk Growing Ecosystem services on Marginal Farmland

Casey Whitelock Program Coordinator

ALUS Norfolk [email protected]

VISION

• Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS) has a simple, yet revolutionary goal…create a healthy landscape that sustains agriculture, wildlife and natural spaces for all Canadians.

What is ALUS?

ALUS Principals • Community-developed

• Farmer-delivered

• Targeted

• Market Driven

• Voluntary

• Integrated

• Accountable

• Science-based

Habitat Creation

Riparian Buffer

Pollinator Habitat

Windbreak/Shelterbelt

Erosion Control

Soil Amendment

Water Purification

Wildlife Corridor

Water Control

Sediment Capture

Water Retention

Flood Control

Carbon Sequestration

Biodiversity Enhancement

Air Purification

The list goes on...

Ecosystem Services

Wetlands

Before

After

Wetlands

Before

After

76 Wetlands created or enhanced

34 acres

Tallgrass Prairie

245 Grassland projects 711 acres

Tallgrass Prairie

Reforestation

Reforestation

287 Reforestation projects 573 acres

• 154 Participants

• 926 Projects

• 1318 Acres and growing

Science Driven

ALUS has supported 3rd party research on a variety of topics:

• Studies of Bobolink and Related Bird Habitats on Agricultural Lands in Norfolk County – Jon McCracken, Bird Studies Canada 2012

• How Habitat Influences Native Pollinators in Intensive Agricultural Landscapes – Caitlin Paterson, University of Guelph 2014

• Community Composition Change of Pollinating Insects on Farms Enrolled in Alternative Land Use Services Pilot Project in Norfolk County – Courtney Irvine, University of Guelph 2012

• Expansion of the Pollination Service Measurement (PSM) concept in Southern Ontario – Thomas Woodcock, Environment Canada 2013

• Supporting Environmental Stewardship and Livelihood Benefits in Ontario’s Greenbelt: Assessing the Potential Contribution of the Alternative Land Use Services Program – Bruce Mackenzie, University of Waterloo 2008

• A Benefit Transfer Tool for Valuing Nature’s Benefits to Society from ALUS Farmlands – Delta Waterfowl Foundation 2013

ALUS Norfolk is Generously Supported by: