Ottawa and the Province have announced $1.9 million in funding for 54 projects under the Sustainable CAP programs Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program (RALP). 

Projects are based on their ability to increase the environmental resilience of agricultural landscapes by adopting practices that increase environmental benefits with money flowing through two priority streams - the Watershed Resilience stream and the Carbon Sequestration and Grassland Resilience stream.

Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson says Manitoba farmers know that the success of their business depends on good stewardship of the land.

“We are proud to support them as they work to maintain and restore grasslands and wetlands on agricultural lands. This work isn’t just beneficial to the farmers; it contributes to the environmental and economic benefit to all Manitobans.”

The watershed resilience stream provides funding to watershed districts to collaborate with farmers on a variety of projects from agroforestry, to grasslands and grazing management, natural upland area enhancement, and rejuvenation, as well as riparian area enhancement, water retention and runoff management, wetland restoration and enhancement.

The selected watershed districts will receive up to $100,000 per project at 100 per cent of the total approved eligible costs with projects to be completed within 18 months. 

Farmers are encouraged to contact their local watershed districts to inquire about any potential programming that may be available.

The other funding stream is for carbon sequestration and grassland resilience, this provides funding to community pastures, agricultural Crown land forage leaseholders, Indigenous farmers,  communities, and farmers outside of watershed district boundaries to support on-farm projects that increase the productivity of grasslands that support a strong and viable livestock industry in Manitoba.

Garry Wasylowski, chair, of the Manitoba Association of Watersheds (MAW) says watershed districts are committed to educating communities on the importance of land management and supporting landowners to implement projects that protect and enhance their local landscapes. 

Projects were evaluated on their ability to increase the environmental resilience of agricultural landscapes by adopting practices that increase environmental benefits that:

  • improve soil and water quality;
  • reduce greenhouse gas emissions;
  • reduce stream-bank degradation;
  • improve nutrient and water retention; and
  • improve biodiversity and wildlife habitat.

For more information on the Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program, visit https://www.gov.mb.ca/scap/climatechange/carbon-sequestration.html.