AWES | Agroforestry and Woodlot Extension Society of Alberta

Train the Trainer: Completing a Successful Planting Project
2019-08-13 09:30 - 15:30 (America/Edmonton) | Parkland County Services Building, 2700 48 ST, Stony Plain, T7Z 2Y1, Canada
Anyone can plant a tree, but how is a large-scale planting project developed? During this workshop in Parkland County, The Agroforestry and Woodlot Extension Society will teach you to develop and execute efficient and effective project plans by helping you create procedures that can be applied to your county’s planting activities.
Learn to complete a planting program on private or county lands regardless of whether the outcome is a shelterbelt, eco-buffer, riparian buffer or bioengineering for site restoration.

AWES will take you through the following seven steps to cover the entire process of completing a planting project on private or county lands:
1. The complications of planting sites on private lands
2. Setting long term objectives and levels of success
3. Assessing private land sites
4. Determining complicating factors
5. Planning and implementing planting projects
6. Evaluating outcomes of planting projects
7. Assessing levels of success

A field component will take participants through an overview of the site assessment process and will provide a verbal and written recommendation on how to appropriately prescribe and restore and the demonstration site. After completing the workshop, participants will be able to conduct a basic site assessment and respond to most questions and concerns from landowners.

Lunch will be provided.
Please register through Parkland County at 780-968-8888 Ext 8261 or Krista.Quesnel@parklandcounty.com by August 9th, 2019

West Country Ag Tour
2019-08-20 07:30 - 16:30 | Clearwater County Quarter, Township Road 400 and Range Road 72, Clearwater County, Alberta, T0M 0C0, Canada
Clearwater County Presents:
The 2019 West Country Ag. Tour
Clearwater County, AWES, GWFA, Benalto Ag, Medicine River Wildlife Centre, Biocomposite Group, Alex Fuengling and Henry Askes will be presenting on agricultural topics throughout the day.

Hayrides will be taking place onsite, and breakfast, lunch, and refreshments will be provided!
Cost is $35 for the day. Please RSVP through Clearwater County by August 16, 2019.

Itinerary for Tuesday August 20, 2019
7:30 – 9:00 am
Breakfast at the Quonset in County yard Featuring the Waffle Truck.
9:15 – 10:15 am
Cover Crop Cocktails. Presentations from Greg Paranich (GWFA) and Devin Knopp (Benalto Ag) at the County trial plots.
10:15 – 10:45 am
Role of Raptors – Presentation by Medicine River Wildlife Centre and Ottis the Owl.
10:45 – 11:15 am
Coffee break
11:15 – 12:00 pm
Shelter belts – Management techniques for successfully establishing a shelterbelt. Brought to you by AWES (Agroforestry & Woodlot Extension Society).
12:15 pm – 1:15 pm
Lunch
1:30 – 2:00 pm
Preserving our Pollinators – Presentation by AWES (Agroforestry & Woodlot Extension Society)
2:15 -2:45 pm
Hemp mats – biodegradable and environmentally friendly weed control. Presented by Beau Taylor of Biocomposite Group.
3:00 – 4:00 pm
Equipment Demonstration- Alex Fuengling with direct seeder, high speed disc and pasture harrows. Henry Askes – Bale Wrapper.
4:00 – 4:30 pm
Refreshments and door prizes.

Woodlot BMPs: Establishing and rejuventating shelterbelts and ecobuffers
2019-08-22 16:00 - 21:00 | Lindbrook Community Hall, 51084 Alberta 630, Tofield, Alberta, T0B 4J0
Shelterbelts and woodlots across the prairies are deteriorating.
Don’t wait until its too late to take action! Join Beaver County and the Agroforestry and Woodlot Extension Society to learn best management practices for private forested lands. Topics covered will include:

Conducting tree health assessments
Establishment of tree stands
Woodlot maintenance and rejuvenation strategies
Planning and developing shelterbelts and Eco-buffers on your property!
Forest management within todays disease and pest climate

The evening will end with a field visit to a local nature reserve to apply assessment strategies learned in the workshop.
Come prepared for any conditions! Boots and rain gear are recommended.
A light dinner will be provided.
There is no cost for this workshop, however please RSVP on Eventbrite by August 16th, 2019

Earthworks for Cold Climate Water Resiliency
2019-08-25 09:00 - 16:00, 2019-08-26 09:00 - 16:00 | Ferintosh Hall, 203 Glenmere Ave, Ferintosh, Alberta, T0B 1M0, Canada
Drought and flood are two sides of the same coin: A broken water cycle is the root cause of both. Join Takota Coen from Coen Farm and Rob Avis from Verge Permaculture for a 2-day workshop at the Coen Farm and the nearby Ferintosh Hall to learn how to design and implement low tech, low cost, nature-based earthworks that can build more effective and efficient water cycles on your land. The workshop will include a mixture of in-class presentation and activity time at the Hall, and field trips out to the Coen Farm where a 30 ton excavator and D3 Bulldozer will be actively constructing a variety of earthworks.
Topics will include:

Principles of water harvesting
The design and implementation process for a variety of water harvesting earthworks like, dugouts, dam and swales
Strategic snow harvesting with trees
Gravity water reticulation
Flood irrigation
Aquaculture
Using Google Earth Pro
Accessing contour maps
Much more!

Dress for the farm and the weather! Bring steel-toed boots and rain apparel if you have them.
Delicious beyond-organic Coen Farm lunches and snacks included! Note dietary restrictions when registering.
Cost is only $40. Space is limited! Register on Eventbrite by August 22.
This workshop made possible by the Government of Canada’s Eco-Action Community Funding Program, the Agroforestry and Woodlot Extension Society, the Battle River Water Shed Alliance, Win EcoScience Inc., Camrose County and the University of Alberta

Agroforestry Field Day
2019-08-29 13:00 - 16:00
Awes will be at Rural Routes to Climate Solutions’ Agroforestry Field Day in Leduc, AB on August 29th!
If you have ever wanted to take a more in-depth look at agroforesty practices in Alberta, this is a great way to obtain information, and stir up ideas.
The day features presentations by agroforestry researchers from the University of Alberta, as well as AWES, who will be talking about shelterbelts and their modern day cousin: the Eco-Buffer!
For more on the Agroforesty Field Day, and to register, visit Rural Routes to Climate Solutions’ website.
We hope to see you there!

Shelterbelts and Eco-Buffers: Agroforestry Systems for Resilience
2019-10-29 15:00 - 20:00 | Neutral Hills Adult Learning Centre, 5231 50 St, Consort, Alberta, T0C 1B0, Canada
AWES and CARA are pleased to present ‘Shelterbelts and Eco-buffers: Agroforestry Systems for Resilience’ October 29, 2019 from 3-8 pm in Consort, AB.
This workshop will cover the design and implementation of Shelterbelts and Eco-buffers on Agrocultural land, with a focus on the northern fescue grassland ecoregion. AWES will advise on how to customize your shelterbelt or eco-buffer design to provide pollinator habitat, fruit production, water quality enhancement and more!
Throughout the evening participants will develop the skills to develop tree planting plans. We will walk through tree planting designs using worksheets and other resources provided.
The workshop will wrap up with a field visit of a future shelterbelt planting location for a hands on learning experience.
There is a nominal fee of $30/person.
A catered dinner and refreshments will be provided.
Please come dressed for the weather as we will be venturing to a nearby field site.
For details and registration, contact CARA at 403-664-3777 or cara-3@telus.net

Shelterbelts and Ecobuffers Shelterbelts: Planting and Design
2019-11-21 17:00 - 21:00 | Grovedale Public Service Building, 56361 TWP road 695a, Grovedale, Alberta, T0H 1X0, Canada
Shelterbelts and woodlots across the province are deteriorating.. What can YOU do?
Join the Agroforestry and Woodlot Extension Society along with the MD of Greenview and the County of Grande Prairie for an informative evening about how Shelterbelts and Eco-buffers can be designed and planted on your land.
Learn how to:

Establish and rejuvenate shelterbelts on your property
Conduct a basic site assessment to kick start your tree planting plan
Select tree species that will thrive in your region
Design a plan that meets your needs and provides the ecosystems services you wish to enhance!

Supper and introductions will be held from 5-6 pm, with the workshop and refreshments to follow. There is no charge for this event, however registrations are required.
Please pre-register on Eventbrite by November 20th or contact Jill Henry of the County of Grande Prairie Agriculture Department at
jhenry@countygp.ab.ca or 780-532-9727

Integrated Weed and Pest Management of Field Crops and Eco-buffers/Alley Cropping Agroforestry Systems
2020-01-15 08:45 - 15:30 | Fort Vermillion Community Complex, 5001 44 Ave, Fort Vermillion, Alberta, T0H 1N0, Canada
Join MARA and Mackenzie County for the Integrated Weed and Pest Management of Field Crops and Eco-buffers/Alley Cropping Agroforestry Systems workshop held at the Fort Vermillion Community Complex January 15, 2020 from 8:45-3:30pm.
Dr. Breanne Tidemann, and Dr. Kelly Turrington of Agriculture and Agri-food Canada (AAFC) and Noel St. Jean of the Agroforestry and Woodlot Extension Society (AWES) will be speaking on topics including:

Integrated weed Management, Herbicide Resistance and Harvest Weed Seed Control
Integrated Cereal Disease Management
Integrated Crop and Pest Management for canola
Shelterbelt/Eco-buffer Establishment and Alley Cropping
Agroforestry Systems for Sustainable Agriculture

Registration is free and lunch will be provided. For details and registration please contact MARA at 780-927-3776 or research@mackenzieresearch.ca
We hope to see you there!

Shelterbelt and Eco-buffer Workshop: Planting, Care and Design
2020-02-22 13:00 - 16:30 | Wheatland County Administration Office, 242006 Range Road 243, Strathmore, Alberta, T1P 1J6, Canada
AWES is heading south for the winter!
Join AWES staff and Wheatland County as we embark on a Shelterbelt and Ecobuffer learning journey, February 22, 2020 from 1-430PM at the Wheatland County Administration Office.
During the workshop participants will learn about:
• The Benefits of Shelterbelts and Ecobuffers
• How to establish and rejuvenate shelterbelts on your property
• Optimizing your design for pollinators, fruit production, water quality enhancement, and mitigating high winds and flooding
• Tips and Tricks to ensure maximum success in your planting project including plant choice, ordering, site prep, planting, and mulching
Participants may choose to design a shelterbelt or ecobuffer for their property with the help of the Agroforestry & Woodlot Extension Society.
This will ALSO be the first opportunity for local landowners to apply for Wheatland County’s new Shelterbelt and Eco-Buffer funding program!
Refreshments will be provided, and there is no cost to participants!
Simply register with Wheatland County’s Gay Mowat at 403-361-2166 or at gay.mowat@wheatlandcounty.ca by February 19, 2020

ROARS Bumblebee House Building Workshop
2020-02-29 13:00 - 16:00 | Golden Valley Lutheran Church Education Unit, 5327-56 Avenue, Viking, Alberta, T0B 4N0, Canada
Wondering what all the ‘buzz’ is about??
ROARS, Beaver County, and AWES are putting on the first bumblebee house building workshop of 2020 in Viking, AB Saturday February 29, 2020.
Learn about the lives and needs of bumblebees and other pollinators while building a bumblebee house to support native bumblebee populations!
Build your own bumblebee house in a safe and fun environment! People of all ages welcome!
Only 30 boxes are available for this workshop. Participants can sign up individually or as a group. Participants need to bring their own drill and bits (fully charged) and or screwdriver (Phillips and #1 Robertson). All other materials will be provided.
$10/ family or house
Snacks and refreshements to be provided.
Please register by contacting Diane Hanson 780-385-0994 or Vern Hafso 780-385-5449
It will bee good to see you there!!

Shelterbelts, Eco-buffers & Tree Care Workshop
2020-03-04 17:00 - 21:00 | Camrose County Administration Office, 3755 43 Ave, Camrose, Alberta, T4V 3S8, Canada
Embrace the cold and begin planning your summer agroforestry projects!
Agroforestry and Woodlot Extension Society, Camrose County and Toso Bozic (formally of WEP) are pleased to invite you to an evening of Shelterbelts, Eco-buffers & Tree Care.
Topics to be covered include:
• Shelterbelt and Eco-Buffer
establishment and maintenance
• Identifying and Managing Tree Pests
and Disease
• Fruit Tree/Rose Pruning Techniques
• Field demonstration and hands on
activities included, weather permitting
$10/person (dinner included)
To attend the workshop, please pre-register (by March 3)
by registering on Eventbrite
or by calling Jodie Bogstie at the Camrose County3755 43 Ave
Agriculture Services Office at 780-672-4765.

Yellowhead County Family Friendly Bee hotel Building Workshop
2020-03-07 12:00 - 15:00 | Peers Community Centre, 5210 - 49 Avenue, Peers, Alberta, T0E 1W0, Canada
Oh Bee-have!!
Yellowhead County’s Agricultural Services and Parent Link Program is hosting a bee hotel workshop in the Peers Community Centre March 7, 2020 from 2-3 pm.

AWES Staff will answer SWARMS of questions on pollinators, including:
What are pollinators?
Why are they important?
How can you plant for pollinators?

The presentation will be followed by an instructional demonstration and bee hotel building activity facilitated by Yellowhead County.
Please bring your own cordless drill with a #1 inch square bit, and a set of 3/32-3/16 drill bits that are between 3-6 inches in length.
Kits will provided at $20/kit, at a maximum of 2 kits per family.
RSVP is required, and can be done by calling 1-800-814-3935 or 780-325-3782. Snacks and refreshments will be provided.

Managing New and Existing Shelterbelts and Eco-buffers
2020-03-10 15:30 - 20:00 | Holden Community Hall, 4919 49 Ave, Holden, Alberta, T0B 2C0, Canada
Join Beaver County and the Agroforestry and Woodlot Extension Society (AWES) for an informative evening of Shelterbelt and Eco-buffer management strategies on March 10, 2020 from 3pm-8pm at the Holden Community Hall (Holden, AB).
AWES staff will present best management practices for existing shelterbelts and ecobuffers, including conducting tree health assessments, and managing health issues such as pest, disease and environmental damages such as winter die off.
Learn to:

Apply assessment strategies learned in the workshop
Complete a design and maintenance plan for your property

This will be an chance to discuss opportunities available for funding and project development in addition to establishment, species selection and site preparation among other topics.
Come prepared for an outdoor field component. Weather permitting we will visit a nearby shelterbelt or wooded area to discuss management and rejuvenation options.
Free workshop, dinner included.
RSVP by March 2, 2020 on Eventbrite or by contacting AWES at 780-643-6732 or info@awes-ab.ca

Riparian Management Course
2020-08-04 19:00 - 2020-08-18 21:00 | Online
This interactive online course will help farmers, ranchers, and other land managers in Alberta make the most of their riparian areas. Register on Eventbrite: https://bit.ly/3i7FECa

Riparian areas – those wet areas around water bodies – are often overlooked and underrated. Yet with proper design and management, they can become the most productive parts of the landscape, magnets for diverse wildlife, and moderators of flood and drought cycles. In this interactive online course, the Agroforestry and Woodlot Extension Society (AWES) and Cows and Fish will help Alberta land owners and managers maximize the potential of their riparian areas to provide diverse benefits for their lands and watersheds.

Course Details
The course will be implemented over Zoom (links and details provided to participants) in five sessions, 7-9pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays from August 4th to 18th. Each session will include a mixture of live presentations, activities, and Q&A.
In the first couple of sessions, participants will learn what riparian areas are, how riparian areas function, and how this functioning is affected by the health of the riparian area. Participants will then be given tools to assess the health of their own riparian areas, along with a framework for developing a management plan for it.
In the third and fourth sessions, participants will learn about the range of goods and services healthy riparian areas can provide, such as water quality, flood and drought resilience, biodiversity habitat, forage, biomass, food, nutrient cycling, pest suppression, pollination, and more. Participants will then learn how management and restoration activities can support these goods and services. Content will be customized according to the interests and backgrounds of participants.
Participants will be expected to spend 2-4 hours outside of session time in developing their management plans. In the fifth session, participants will have the opportunity to share draft versions of these plans. Course facilitators and other participants will provide feedback and advice.
Upon completion of the course, alumni can request to receive free consultation services from AWES and Cows and Fish staff over email, over the phone, or in person. These services will be provided on a first come first serve basis as long as funds are available.

Course Cost and Funding
The fee for this course is $20 per household unit. This fee has been greatly reduced, as the majority of course costs are being covered by a grant from the Watershed Resiliency and Restoration Program (WRRP), administered by Alberta Environment and Parks. The primary objective of WRRP is to increase the natural ability of the province’s watersheds to reduce the intensity, magnitude, duration and effects of flooding and drought through watershed mitigation measures. Widespread implementation of the riparian restoration and management practices taught in this course has the potential to mitigate flooding and drought throughout the watershed while also providing direct benefits to landowners.
*Note: This course is only available to individuals or organizations who own or manage land in the province of Alberta. Examples of eligible participants include but are not limited to farmers, ranchers, acreage owners, or the staff of municipalities or land trusts.

Earthworks For Cold Climate Water Resiliency, Webinar and Field Day
2020-08-24 15:00 - 18:00, 2020-08-26 15:00 - 18:00, 2020-08-27 15:00 - 18:00, 2020-09-12 09:00 - 16:00 | Coen Farm, Box 165, Ferintosh, Alberta, T0B 1M0, Canada
Curious about how to develop water harvesting features on your property?
Coen Farms, Adaptive Habitat and AWES will be hosting a two part workshop on how to build and vegetate Earthworks and Water Harvesting features on your property!
Join Takota Coen from Coen Farm and Rob Avis from Verge Permaculture for a 3-day webinar hosted on zoom August 24, 26 and 27, 2020 from 3-6pm. To follow the webinar series, AWES, Takota Coen and partners will also be conducting a 1 day tour and field day September 12, 2020 from 9-4pm at the Coen Farm.
Learn how to design and implement low tech, low cost, nature-based earthworks that can build more effective and efficient water cycles on your land. The webinar series will include a mixture of presentation and activity time, and the field day at Coen Farm will include a farm tour, willow staking, and a ceremony conducted by a Maskwacis Elder. Participants will have an opportunity to observe previously constructed water harvesting earthworks on the farm, including swales, dams and wetlands.
Participants must have attended the webinar series in order to attend the field day.

All mandatory COVID-19 restrictions will be in place for the field day, including maintain social distancing, hand sanitizer provided onsite, and food will not be provided for the day.

Please register on Eventbrite before August 22, 2020. Cost is $30 for the webinar series, and $40 for the combined webinar and field day.

Shelterbelt and Ecobuffer Design
2020-08-25 10:00 - 14:00 | County of Grande Prairie Fire Service Station 14, 10808 100 Avenue, Clairmont, Alberta, T0H 0W1, Canada
The Agroforestry and Woodlot Extension Society and the County of Grande Prairie invite you to join us for a workshop about Shelterbelts and Eco-buffers, and how they can be designed to provide ecosystem services to your land!
This workshop includes:

Designing and establishing Shelterbelts and Eco-Buffers
How to conduct a tree planting site assessment
Customizing your design to provide pollinator habitat, fruit production, water quality enhancement, and more!
Site visit to a local shelterbelt (weather permitting)

Participants will have a chance to develop and design a planting plan using worksheets and other resources provided by AWES

FREE Boxed lunch and refreshments provided , followed by a site visit to a local shelterbelt – please dress for the weather conditions

Register on eventbrite! There is no charge for this event, however registrations are required. Space is limited and COVID protocols will be in place.
For more information, please contact the Agriculture Department at The County of Grande Prairie.
Call 780-532-9727 or email jhenry@countygp.ab.ca or kwinterford@countygp.ab.ca

Stream and Pond Field Day
2020-08-27 09:30 - 14:00 | Beaver County
At this fun and educational outing you’ll be able to learn more about your water body, and what you can do to improve its health.

This event will be a fun and educational outing where you’ll be able to learn how to assess the health of your riparian area, identify common species, develop a management plan and cut, plant and grow your own willow cuttings.
Join the Agroforestry and Woodlot Extension Society and Cows and Fish for a hands-on outdoor workshop along a creek near Tofield and learn how to diagnose and improve the health of your stream or pond.
Topics Included:
• Cows and Fish’s Riparian Health Assessment process;
• plant identification;
• how to conduct a tree planting assessment; and
• how to plant willow cuttings!
Register on Eventbrite! This event is free but registration is mandatory as space is limited. Participants are asked to dress for the weather and for light hiking. As this is a remote, outdoor event there will not be any available washroom facilities. (Black Nugget Lake Campground Day Use area with washroom facilities & water are a short drive away if needed). This event will NOT be hosted at the Beaver County Office. Location details will be provided following registration.

Streambank Restoration Project - Video Release
2020-12-15 12:00 - 13:00
Join us for the , and learn about our efforts to increase resilience of Alberta’s land!
Water- while critical to humans and their activities, its actions can also cause problems, such as erosion. Water is fluid, needs room to move so that it can help us by recharging groundwater, providing habitat and providing drinking water.
Every spring overland flows race towards the stream on Graham Powell’s 3rd generation La Glace farm. He knew he was losing land due to erosion. The stream could not access a floodplain. Restoration was needed and the AgroForestry & Woodlot Extension Society, Alberta Conservation Association, the County of Grande Prairie, Cows and Fish and the Mighty Peace Watershed Alliance joined together with Watershed Artisans and Graham Powell and began to restore the Niobe Creek Watershed. We are excited to share the process with you all!
On December 15, 2020, you will have the opportunity to learn more about this restoration, the organizations behind the project, and their current and future endeavors to increase riparian resilience, improve and provide wildlife habitats, reduce flood risk, and provide sustainable solutions to heal Alberta’s land, water and the riparian areas in between.
There will be a chance to win a $50 doorprize at the end of the session. We look forward to celebrating this project with you!

Woodlot Workshop Webinar Series
2021-02-02 17:00 - 2021-02-11 19:00
Join the Agroforestry and Woodlot Extension Society (AWES) for a fun and informative four-part virtual series on Woodlot Management!

About this Event

This four-part webinar series will take place on February 2nd, 4th, 9th, and 11th @ 7:00-9:00PM MST, via Zoom!
At this workshop you will learn:

Best management practices on forested lands
How forested lands contribute economically and environmentally
Management to maximize ecological and economic value
Maintenance & restoration leads to healthier woodlots

AWES staff will present this webinar series of Best Management Practices on Forested Land in 4 parts:

February 2nd: Overview
February 4th: Woodlot Tree Services
February 9th: Woodlot Assessment
February 11th: Woodlot Management Plans

***Please register on EventBrite:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/woodlot-management-webinar-series-tickets-137328239461
We can’t wait to see you there! Please contact us at info@awes-ab.ca with any questions or inquiries.

Event Postponed
2021-02-24 19:00 - 2021-03-24 21:00
This interactive online course will help farmers, ranchers, and other land managers in Alberta make the most of their riparian areas.
Event Postponed – Next Offering April 2021
About this Event
Riparian areas – those wet areas around water bodies – are often overlooked and underrated. Yet with proper design and management, they can become the most productive parts of the landscape, magnets for diverse wildlife, and moderators of flood and drought cycles. In this interactive online course, the Agroforestry and Woodlot Extension Society (AWES) and Cows and Fish will help Alberta land owners and managers maximize the potential of their riparian areas to provide diverse benefits for their lands and watersheds.
Course Details
The course will be implemented over Zoom (links and details provided to participants) in five sessions, 7-9pm on Wednesday from February 24th to March 24th. Each session will include a mixture of live presentations, activities, and Q&A.
In the first couple of sessions, participants will learn what riparian areas are, how riparian areas function, and how this functioning is affected by the health of the riparian area. Participants will then be given tools to assess the health of their own riparian areas, along with a framework for developing a management plan for it.
In the third and fourth sessions, participants will learn about the range of goods and services healthy riparian areas can provide, such as water quality, flood and drought resilience, biodiversity habitat, forage, biomass, food, nutrient cycling, pest suppression, pollination, and more. Participants will then learn how management and restoration activities can support these goods and services. Content will be customized according to the interests and backgrounds of participants.
Participants will be expected to spend 2-4 hours outside of session time in developing their management plans. In the fifth session, participants will have the opportunity to share draft versions of these plans. Course facilitators and other participants will provide feedback and advice.
Upon completion of the course, alumni can request to receive free consultation services from AWES and Cows and Fish staff over email, over the phone, or in person. These services will be provided on a first come first serve basis as long as funds are available.
Course Cost and Funding
The fee for this course is $20 per household unit. This fee has been greatly reduced, as the majority of course costs are being covered by a grant from the Watershed Resiliency and Restoration Program (WRRP), administered by Alberta Environment and Parks. The primary objective of WRRP is to increase the natural ability of the province’s watersheds to reduce the intensity, magnitude, duration and effects of flooding and drought through watershed mitigation measures. Widespread implementation of the riparian restoration and management practices taught in this course has the potential to mitigate flooding and drought throughout the watershed while also providing direct benefits to landowners.
*Note: This course is only available to individuals or organizations who own or manage land in the province of Alberta. Examples of eligible participants include but are not limited to farmers, ranchers, acreage owners, or the staff of municipalities or land trusts.

Ecobuffers & Shelterbelts
2021-03-01 07:00 - 21:00, 2021-03-05 07:00 - 21:00 | Online
Shelterbelts and ecobuffers can prevent soil erosion, mitigate temperature swings, capture snow for water retention or to prevent blowing snow on roadways, sequester carbon, provide habitat for pollinators and other wildlife, and so much more. But where do you start? How do you pay for it? How do you maintain it for the long term?

Join us for a free webinar series March 1 and 5, from 7-9 MST. We’ll cover the basic trunk of knowledge for shelterbelt and ecobuffer design on March 1 and take a deep dive into the roots March 5. Sign up at https://ecobuffers.eventbrite.ca.

Planting for the Future
2021-03-03 18:00 - 19:00
Join AWES & Sturgeon County in a webinar designed to share best practices for planting shelterbelts on our Alberta Landscape.
Some of the topics we will cover include:

Site preparation and seedling planting for shelterbelts
Shelterbelt planning
Planting eco-buffers as an alternative
Using fruit bearing varieties in your shelterbelt

Register with Sturgeon County.

Earthworks for Cold Climate Water Resiliency
2021-03-23 15:00 - 2021-03-30 18:00
Drought and flood are two sides of the same coin; A broken water cycle is the root cause for both.

About this Event

Join Takota Coen from Coen Farm and Rob Avis from Verge Permaculture for an online workshop that will cover earthworks and construction topics.
You will learn how to design and implement low-tech, low-cost, nature-based earthworks that can build more effective and efficient water cycles on your land. Gain insight on revegetation techniques and traditional uses of native plants.
The workshop will take place in three sessions: March 23, 25, and 30, from 3-6PM.
Cost: $30/ person. Students & Maskwacis community members, please contact AWES for reduced rates.

** Please register on Eventbrite! Link below**
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/earthworks-for-cold-climate-water-resiliency-tickets-144287972209

Pollinator Projects Webinar with Wheatland County
2021-03-31 10:00
Learn more about

The value of pollinators and the benefits of establishing pollinator projects
Identifying locations for pollinator projects on marginal lands
Forage species selection, establishment, management & longevity
Funding options for pollinator projects

With speakers
Grant Lastiwka, Forage Specialist
Luke Wonneck, Agroforestry Project Specialist
Register at
http://bit.ly/3tkvALE
For information call 403-333-6943 or email Sarah.Schumacher@wheatlandcounty.ca.

Shelterbelts & Ecobuffers in Central & Southern Regions
2021-04-08 19:00 - 21:00
Shelterbelts and Ecobuffers can help to prevent soil erosion, reduce extreme temperatures, capture snow for water retention or to prevent blowing snow on roadways, sequester carbon, provide habitat for pollinators and other wildlife and so much more.
Join AWES, Wheatland County, Kneehill County, Municipal District of Bighorn in a discussion on the importance of shelterbelts & ecobuffers with a focus on Central Alberta and Alberta’s Grasslands.
Register at http://bit.ly/3tkvALE
