Stanley Soil Management Association (SSMA) is able to help create awareness around shelterbelts, thanks to federal funding.

The association received $13,000 from EcoAction for a 3-year project.

Richard Warkentin, Technician for SSMA, explains the organization is a not-for-profit environmental association which conducts soil and water conservation projects.

"Our main focus, since our founding, has been planting and maintaining shelterbets," said Warkentin, noting they cover the RM of Stanley but have also planted trees in Arnaud, St. Claude, Somerset, and Pilot Mound.

Warkentin says renovating shelterbelts is better than removal

Over the last year the organization has planted 6 miles of shelterbets. A demonstration was also done north of Winkler to promote the concept of renovating shelterbelts rather than removing them from the landscape.

"There was older shelterbelts there were encroaching on the farmer's field, and we were working at removing dead trees and trimming trees up so that the farmer can get closer (and) has more room to grow crop," explained Warkentin.

Some landowners see shelterbelts as a long-term investment with soil conservation and erosion control, others say the trees interfere with farm equipment and usable land.

The funding will go toward setting up a demonstration site, developing a brochure on the benefits of shelterbelts as a carbon sink, and conducting public meetings where the benefits of shelterbelts are promoted. At these meetings, landowners will learn methods of shelterbelt renovation, rather than removal.

"We'll be planting a mile of trees for another participant in spring," Warkentin added.