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Programs The following is a brief summary of the various programs the district offers.
Conservation Agreements The Whitemud Conservation District has partnered with the Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation to pay
landowners to set aside land for conservation purposes. Give our office a call (476-5019) for
more information.
Each year the WWCD chooses a farm family in the district that demonstrates exemplary farm management, making the best use of the resources available to improve productivity using conservation farming practices. The family is invited to attend the annual Manitoba Conservation Districts Association convention. Here the family is recognized for their dedication. The family is presented with a gate sign installed by the Whitemud District. Also in recognition, the family receives a wall plaque.
Whitemud has entered into agreements with municipalities to post undeveloped road allowances for wildlife habitat, with signs at each end. Landowners may apply to municipality to use road allowances for pasture, etc.. There are over 650 miles of conservation corridors protecting over 8000 acres of habitat.
Conservation Corridor Planting In partnership with local municipalities, the Whitemud enhances or undertakes plantings to provide buffer strips and increase habitat.
Conservation Education A variety of programs are offered to promote conservation awareness and education to youth in the District. Examples include Johnny Apple seed program, tours, in-school presentations, library magazine subscriptions, tree planting initiatives and youth speaking competitions.
Johnny Appleseed Program Under the conservation education program, the WWCD staff visit elementary schools in the district; eleven schools and eighteen colonies. The program provides every grade five student with an edible apple tree. The popular program provides a living example of conservation for students. Staff visit the classroom and present a lesson on the importance of trees and proper care and handling. The program started in 1994. Forage Assistance Seeding erodible lands into forage and pasture. Landowners are eligible every third year for a maximum of 50 acres. Landowner must make application between September 15th and June 15th each year. Once an application is approved a purchase order is sent to the landowner. The landowners can then purchase certified seed from a seed company of their choice. The invoice is to be submitted for payment by June 15th. The District will provide assistance of 25% of eligible seed costs up to a maximum of $250. To date the WWCD has assisted in the establishment of over ¼ of a million acres of forage. click here for application forms Grassed Runway In order to stabilize natural water courses on steep slopes and prevent soil erosion on adjacent lands runways are reshaped seeded to grass so they can be easily maintained. Board covers 85% of construction costs and landowner contributes 15%. Over 500 miles of grassed runways have been improved by the WWCD. click here for application forms Gully Stabilization Repairs to eroded areas where water has created damage to a waterway or adjacent field. Board covers 75% of construction costs and landowner contributes 25%. click here for application forms Pasture Pipeline Plow Whitemud offers to partner with producers in establishing off-site watering via buried pipeline in pastures. Program includes use of equipment and technical support at cost of $100 per day. click here for application forms Ring Dyke WWCD will construct ring dykes for yard sites adjacent to a district drains to protect them from flooding. The landowner cost is 15% of the $3,000 maximum project assistance. click here for application forms Riparian Stewardship Technical and financial assistance is available for the design and implementation of grazing management systems adjacent to riparian areas as external funding allows. Call us to discuss what we can do.
In co-operation with PFRA, the WWCD offers field shelterbelts and custom plantings (minimum1/4 mile). Plastic mulch is included in all plantings. Field shelterbelts include 3 years of weed control; planting cost of $250 per mile and weed control cost of $150 per mile. Custom plantings do not include any weed control or replants and is provided at a cost of $800 per mile. Over 1650 miles of have been established by the WWCD. click here for application forms Water Retention The WWCD will assist landowners in the construction of small water retention projects. The wetland or water storage area must have a surface area of no less than 1.5 acres. Water storage projects must have a minimum storage depth of 3 feet of water when full. Maximum height of dam is 7 feet, and maximum storage volume is 7 acre feet. The periphery of the water reservoir must be maintained in grass cover. Cattle access to be limited to specific watering areas. click here for application forms Water Rights The WWCD has partnered with Water Stewardship in the investigation and approval of drainage and other water licensing issues. click here for application forms Wildlife Projects The WWCD will assist landowners in setting aside suitable wildlife habitat areas and provide signage. The WWCD will also assist in establishing or enhancing wildlife areas via tree planting and demonstrations. The landowner agrees to notify the District if land use changes. Over 6000 acres have been protected under the Wildlife program in association with over 120 area landowners. Abandoned Well Capping The WWCD seals abandoned wells to protect ground water quality and prevent hazards to people, livestock and equipment. click here for application forms
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