Manitoba Beef Producers Receive Federal Funds to Protect Species At Risk

by

$1.2 million in federal funding to protect species at risk on farm land was announced in Manitoba on Thursday.

$750,000 will be going to Manitoba Beef Producers for a voluntary, incentive-based habitat enhancement program.

Working with beef producers in southwest part of the province, MBP and the Manitoba Heritage Habitat Corporation (MHHC) will work with producers to implement practices that both enhance cattle production as well as habitats for specific species at risk.

“The commitment of Manitoba’s beef producers to being sound stewards of the land is well-documented,” said MBP’s new president Ben E. Fox. “Properly managed pasture land is integral to our business as well as in supporting biodiversity and providing habitat for a range of wildlife, including species at risk.”

Three other projects in Manitoba are also receiving funds through Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Species at Risk Partnerships on Agricultural Lands (SARPAL) initiative:

  • The Turtle Mountain Conservation District and Manitoba Sustainable Development are partnering on a burrowing owl project that focuses on the installation of artificial nests to research and raise awareness of burrowing owls.
  • The West Souris River Conservation District’s grassland birds project will center on mapping, surveying and implementing bird-specific Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs) for targeted species in southwestern Manitoba, including the Ferruginous hawk, Chestnut-collared longspur, Sprague’s pipit and Baird Sparrow.
  •  Manitoba Agriculture is working to add a species at risk component to its existing Environmental Farm Plan Program process/booklet.

“Through such collaborative efforts we are able to support sustainable ranching and farming practices that help protect wildlife and their habitats,” noted federal Environment and Climate Change Minister Catherine McKenna. “I look forward to continuing our work with the Manitoba Beef Producers, Manitoba Agriculture and local Conservation Districts on innovative solutions to conserve species at risk across Canada.”

Get the latest cattle-related news every Monday — sign-up for our free weekly newsletter here!

Wake up with RealAgriculture

Subscribe to our daily newsletters to keep you up-to-date with our latest coverage every morning.

Wake up with RealAgriculture

Categories: Cattle / Livestock / News / Western Canada

Please register to read and comment.

 

Register for a RealAgriculture account to manage your Shortcut menu instead of the default.

Register