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Red Deer-area landowners can be recognized for their conservation efforts

The RDRN is re-starting its Habitat Steward Program
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(Black Press file photo).

Red Deer River Naturalists are relaunching a program that recognizes local landowners for their dedicated efforts to support wildlife and conservation.

As the oldest naturalist organization in Alberta, the Red Deer River Naturalists (RDRN) have long championed efforts in conservation, first launching the Habitat Steward Program in 1987.

About 130 landowners in Central Alberta who collectively protected over 13,450 acres of habitat were recognized by 1999, but the program eventually petered out.

Now, 25 years later, this initiative is being relaunched with funding from a recent bequest, as well as from the Red Deer and District Community Foundation.

Landowners, or acreage owners ,who on their own initiative and at their own expense, conserve at least five acres of wildlife habitat on their property and who live within 100 km of Red Deer can participate.

They will receive a gate sign and their habitat details will be entered into a database. There’s no binding agreement that the land should always remain as habitat. If it’s later altered so that it’s no longer beneficial for wildlife the sign should be returned.

The Habitat Steward program provides educational awareness since passers-by will observe that the landowner is making positive efforts.

More details and a copy of the application forms can be found at https://www.naturecentral.org/habitat-steward-program.html.

Gate signs will be delivered to participants in March and April. For more information, please email myrnapearman.nature@gmail.com.