HABITAT STEWARDSHIP

The ecological integrity of native grasslands and wetlands are fundamental to supporting the overall biodiversity in our region. Biodiversity, or biological diversity, is the variety of life on Earth in all their forms and interconnections. Acting as a library of life, each gene, species, community, and ecosystem represent the knowledge gathered across millions of years of evolution.

Interactions between species and their environment contribute to air, water, food, medicine, resilience to a changing climate, as well as spiritual and cultural dimensions which make human life both possible and worthwhile.

Waterton Biosphere Region includes more than 1000 vascular plant species, 182 moss/liverwort and 218 lichen species, 60 species of mammals, over 260 species of birds, 24 species of fish, and 10 species of reptiles and amphibians in the national park alone, with others characteristic of grasslands as you move further east on the private lands.

Livestock watering improvements and/or water crossing:

• Off-site watering system
• Hardened access points

Off-site water systems are troughs or holding tanks that are fed by surface or ground water. Cattle prefer drinking out of troughs because of the accessibility, comfort, and security they offer.

These devices also eliminate their need to navigate steep streambanks and wade through deep wetland soils. These sensitive riparian habitats can also benefit from the respite of repeated refreshments.

Troughs have been shown to aid in weight gain and increase both backfat and milk production in cattle. The uncertainty of available surface water can be eased with thoughtfully designed off-site watering systems which are fed by a permanent water source, as they can even extend grazing into fall and winter when most surface waterbodies have dried or frozen.

Grazing management:

• Electric fencing for rotational grazing
  
• Permanent cross fencing for rotational grazing

Continuous grazing without managed rotation can result in undesirable pasture use and excessive pressure on specific sites and plant species. This practice also does little to benefit your forage quality.

A simple rotational grazing program supports forage and habitat health by spreading grazing pressure over several smaller pastures. The increased length of rest periods on the smaller pastures ensures greater value forage due to regrowth and healthier habitat for natural species using the same fields.

More management intensive rotational grazing means higher grazing pressure for shorter timeframes. This results in more rest periods that keep forage at optimal grazing value and helps maintain habitat diversity. This method mimics natural herbivores and supports ecosystem biodiversity.

Rotational grazing can be achieved by using temporary electric or permanent fences and may require additional watering infrastructure.

Wetland restoration:

• Ditch plug
• Beaver pond leveller

In a drier climate, the value of healthy seasonal and permanent wetlands becomes evident. Previously ditched and drained wetlands can often be restored through an economical ditch plug.

Having beavers on the landscape can be a boon if managed correctly. Their ability to hold water on the landscape improves groundwater levels, promotes vegetation health, creates wildlife habitat, supports biodiversity. It can even serve as wildfire protection in some cases. Beaver mitigation tools such as pond levellers or culvert protectors help reduce the potential impacts of beaver workings on human values such as access roads or structures.

Streambank improvement:

• Permanent fencing to restrict livestock access
• Revegetation of natural buffer

Fencing the ‘transition zone’ between aquatic and upland habitats where moisture loving vegetation grows can maintain water quality, improve groundwater storage and support biodiversity. Riparian buffer fencing also supports bank stability, improves soil quality, maintains water temperature and traps sediment.

By supporting riparian health and biodiversity, algae blooms that result from high nitrogen and phosphorous inputs from the manure that enters the water can be prevented. Keeping animal waste out of water sources helps to limit bacteria and reduces infection rates in cattle.

Tame/native grassland:

• Pollinator habitat
• Biocontrol
• Seeding to native pasture

Healthy diverse grasslands used by grazing cattle also represent habitat for a plethora of native species. Controlling invasive species, such as through biocontrol where possible, and enhancing flowering plant diversity ensures pollinators can render their valuable services throughout the entire season. Increased leaf litter and dispersed manure deposition support birds, insects, microbes, and overall soil health.

Man-made habitat structure:

• Hawk nesting platform
• Bat roost/box
• Swallow structure

Natural nesting and roosting habitat usually offer ideal conditions for a broad range native species, but if these habitats become limited, some species will adapt to human-made structures.

In the absence of suitable native habitat features, ferruginous hawks have used nesting platforms and subsequently contribute to local ground squirrel control. Bat houses may be colonized certain bat species if bats are evicted from a nearby maternity roost site in a building. Similarly, barn swallows may occupy nests in a purpose-built swallow shed.

Available project funding for a particular year is determined by the grants we receive. We will support up to 50% of hard project costs (e.g., materials and supplies, contractors). There is no maximum limit for a single project, though we may fund projects at less than the requested amount to ensure we can support more landowners in the region.  

What costs are eligible?

• Site preparation
• Materials and supplies (e.g., pond leveller, fencing supplies, native plants)
• Capital purchase (e.g., waterer, portable electric fence, charger; subject to limits or grant restrictions)
• Equipment rental
• Contractor costs
• Professional services related to project planning (e.g., wetland practitioner, agrologist)

What costs aren’t covered?

• Costs incurred before project approval
• Purchase of land
• Ongoing maintenance costs
• Opportunity costs for land taken out of production

How are projects selected?

Applications are reviewed for

• their ecological benefits (e.g., improves natural processes and ecosystem function, connects habitats, occurs in a priority area),
• implementation considerations (e.g., likely to succeed in meeting project objectives, landowner committed to required maintenance, value for local community as showcase), and
• cost considerations (e.g., budget is reasonable and aligned with similar projects, funding/partners currently available).

Current habitats and priorities of interest to Waterton Biosphere Region include wetland and riparian habitats, species at risk, and enhanced biodiversity outcomes.