AWES | Agroforestry and Woodlot Extension Society of Alberta

Building for the Bumbles
2018-04-12 17:30 - 20:30 (America/Denver) | Lacombe County Office, 40403 RGE RD 274, Lacombe, AB
Join Lacombe County and the Agroforestry and Woodlot Extension Society for a Bumblebee House Workshop. Space is limited!

Register with Jalene Makus (contact info below)
We will start with a presentation on the lives and needs of bumblebees and other pollinators. Participants will then build bumblebee houses.
Participants need to bring their own drill (fully charged) and/or screwdriver (Phillips and Robertson), all other materials are provided.
Light refreshments provided.

Building a Riparian Forest - Skills Course
2018-04-24 10:00 - 16:00 (America/Denver) | Prague Hall, 46203 Range Road 140, Alberta, Canada
AWES, Battle River Watershed Alliance, Cows and Fish, and Flagstaff County present this one day workshop which will include a site visit and will give you important hands-on skills in:

Harvesting, storing, and planting willow cuttings
Strategies for improved riparian management
Native Plant Identification

When: April 24th, 2018, 10 am to 4 pm
Where: Prague Hall, 46203 Range Road 140
Bring your pruners & loppers! Be prepared to be outside. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
This event is FREE. Please register by April 23rd, 2018 with Kelsey Fenton, (780) 384 4129 or kfenton@flagstaff.ab.ca

Annual General Meeting 2018
2018-05-25 09:00 - 15:30 (America/Denver) | Keephills Hall, 15A, 51515 Range Road 32A, Keephills, Alberta, Canada
Annual General Meeting 2018
May 25, 2018
Keephills Hall, Parkland County
Chair: Nancy Mayo, President
Business Meeting Agenda: Call in Number 1-855-392-2520 (8801711#)
Schedule:
1. Introduction(s)
2. Determination of Quorum
3. Acceptance of Agenda
4. Approval Minutes 2017 AGM
5. President report
6. Brief staff report
7. Financial report
8. Auditor appointment
9. Election of Board Members
10. Special resolutions
11. Board meetings 2017-2018
12. Questions
13. AdjournFull Day Schedule:

9:00am – 10:30am – 2018 AGM business meeting
10:45am – 11:30pm – Updates on AWES Program (extension/partnerships and projects)
11:30am – 12:15pm –Dr. Ivan Whitson (Soil Moisture Storage on Donut Moraine Catchment)
12:15pm – 1:15pm – Lunch catered by Keephills Hall Caterers (Keephills Hall Caterers)
1:15pm – 3:30pm – Tour of Genesee Mine Reclamation Program (George Greenhough)
Days End at Genesee Mine

Edible Riparian Buffer Planting Workshop
2018-05-29 09:00 - 15:00 (America/Denver) | Location will be given to participants upon registration.
Join the County of Wetaskiwin, Agroforestry and Woodlot Extension Society, and Cows and Fish for a free workshop on planting a riparian buffer that produces fruit! We’ll start with an overview of riparian management and health and the rationale behind the planting design. We’ll then plant and mulch a mixture of riparian and berry-producing species.

Space is limited! Register before May 25th with Kim Barkwell from Wetaskiwin County at kbarkwell@county.wetaskiwin.ab.ca or 780-387-6182
Participants should dress for the outdoors and bring their own spade/shovel.
Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

Rocky View County: 2-day Riparian Management Workshop
2018-05-31 - 2018-06-01 | Crossfield Municipal Library, 1210 Railway ST, Crossfield, Alberta, T0M 0S0, Canada
Register with Rocky View County online or by calling 403-230-1401. The deadline to register is May 24, 2018.
Are you a farmer, rancher, or acreage owner with a “riparian area” – that is, land that borders some sort of water feature? Perhaps you have a stream running through your property, a small pond out back, or even just a wet spot in your cropland. If you do, then the next question is: are you managing your riparian areas to their full potential?
From May 31st-June 1/2018, the Agroforestry and Woodlot Extension Society is partnering up with Cows & Fish and Rocky View County to deliver a mini-course that aims to help landowners manage their riparian areas in ways that maximize the environmental, social, and economic benefits to themselves, their community, and the greater watershed. Examples of these benefits include improved water quality, moderation of floods and droughts, erosion reduction, wildlife habitat, forage production for livestock, recreational opportunities, and alternative enterprises such as timber, firewood, fruit, nuts, mushrooms, and medicinal plants.
The course will begin with a brief background on riparian areas and their importance within the larger watershed. Participants will then get the chance to visit a riparian area in Rocky View County, where they will learn how to conduct a site assessment for determining riparian health and potential to provide functions, goods, and services. Back in the class, participants will be given maps of their own riparian areas and other tools to help define a vision and management plan. Course staff will support this exercise through presentations and one-on-one technical assistance on potential management practices that landowners may wish to consider (e.g. to provide opportunities for sustainable grazing, fruit or timber production, wildlife habitat, etc.), and an additional field visit, weather permitting. The course will end with participants having the opportunity to share their vision and management plan with other participants to receive further feedback and insight.
In short, this course includes
• Two full days of instruction/active participation on riparian area assessment, restoration and management. This includes site visits to nearby riparian areas each day, weather permitting.
• Printouts of background information and management tools, including a course workbook, relevant informational factsheets and manuals, laminated maps of participants’ properties, and more
• Lunch and snacks/refreshments for both days
The fee for this course is $20 per participant. 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.
Register with Rocky View County online or by calling 403-230-1401. The deadline to register is May 24, 2018.

Eco-Buffer Planting Workshop
2018-06-04 10:00 - 15:00 (America/Denver) | Rosenthal Hall, Parkland County, Alberta, T0E 0H0, Canada
Eco-Buffers are diverse, high-density shelterbelts that look and act like natural forest! Join the Agroforestry and Woodlot Extension Society, Parkland County, and Lac Ste. Anne County for a hands-on workshop.

When: Monday, June 4th 10am – 3pm (doors open at 9:30am)
Where: Rosenthal Hall, Parkland County, AB T0E 0H0
Who should attend: Ag producers and rural property owners looking to manage their land.

We’ll start with a presentation on the benefits of Eco-Buffers and how to design one. We’ll then travel to a nearby site and plant an Eco-Buffer!
Free! Bag lunch and refreshments provided. Participants should dress for the outdoors and bring their own spade/shovel.
Space is limited! Registration required by Thursday, May 31st. Contact: Jennifer.Caudron@parklandcounty.com or 780-968-8888 ext. 8286.

Northern Sunrise County: 2-day Riparian Management Course
2018-06-15 08:30 - 2018-06-16 16:00 (America/Denver) | Harmon Valley Community Hall, Nampa, Alberta, T0H 2R0, Canada
Do you have riparian areas on your land? Join the Agroforestry and Woodlot Extension Society, Cows & Fish, and Northern Sunrise County for a mini-course that will give you ideas and tools to maximize the economic, social, and environmental benefits provided by your riparian areas. Examples of these benefits include improved water quality, moderation of floods and droughts, erosion reduction, wildlife habitat, forage production for livestock, recreational opportunities, and alternative enterprises such as timber, firewood, fruit, nuts, mushrooms, and medicinal plants.
This course includes:

Two full days of instruction/active participation on riparian area assessment, restoration and management. This includes site visits to nearby riparian areas each day, weather permitting.
Printouts of background information and management tools, including a course workbook, relevant informational factsheets and manuals, laminated maps of participants’ properties, and more
Lunch and snacks/refreshments for both days

You will leave the course with a draft version of your own Riparian Management Plan!
Register now via Eventbrite to reserve your spot in the course!
If you have any questions, please contact Becky Devaleriola from Northern Sunrise County at bdevaleriola@northernsunrise.net or (780) 322-3831

Eco-Buffer & Shelterbelt Workshop in Red Deer County
2018-06-20 17:45 - 20:00 (America/Denver) | Red Deer County Centre, 38106 Range Road 275, Red Deer, Alberta, T4S 2L9, Canada
Are you interested in enhancing your land’s habitat value for wildlife such as pollinators? Reducing wind-stress on your crops, livestock, or farm-site? Trapping snow where you want it to be trapped? Making your land more resilient to flooding and droughts? Join us for our Eco-Buffer & Shelterbelt Workshop!
Eco-Buffers and Shelterbelts are tree-based systems with the potential to do all of these things and more. With the help of Luke Wonneck of the Agroforestry & Woodlot Extension Society (AWES), Red Deer County is hosting a workshop where participants will learn the about the differences between Eco-Buffers and Shelterbelts, the various benefits they can provide, and some basic principles for designing and establishing one that would be suitable for your property.
Available resources and funding opportunities to help with establishing Eco-Buffers and Shelterbelts will also be discussed.
When & Where:

Wednesday, June 20, 2018 from 5:45pm – 8:00pm
At the Red Deer County Centre, in Council Chambers

Agenda:

5:45pm – Registration & Light Dinner
6:00pm-7:45pm – Intros, Presentations
7:45pm-8:00pm – Recap, Head Home

Registration:

Pre-registration is required
Register on Eventbrite
Registration Deadline: Monday, June 18, 2018
Note: your property’s Legal Land Location/Lot Block Plan numbers are required at the event

Please call Red Deer County’s Agriculture Services at 403.342.8654 with any questions, or email us at agriculture@rdcounty.ca

Brazeau County: 2-day Riparian Management Course
2018-07-19 09:00 - 2018-07-20 16:00 (America/Denver) | Golden Age Friendship Centre, 5020 50 Ave, Breton, Alberta, T0C 0P0, Canada
Do you have riparian areas on your land? Join the Agroforestry and Woodlot Extension Society, Cows & Fish, and Brazeau County for a mini-course that will give you ideas and tools to maximize the economic, social, and environmental benefits provided by your riparian areas. Examples of these benefits include improved water quality, moderation of floods and droughts, erosion reduction, wildlife habitat, forage production for livestock, recreational opportunities, and alternative enterprises such as timber, firewood, fruit, nuts, mushrooms, and medicinal plants.
This course includes:

Two full days of instruction/active participation on riparian area assessment, restoration and management. This includes site visits to nearby riparian areas each day, weather permitting.
Printouts of background information and management tools, including a course workbook, relevant informational factsheets and manuals, laminated maps of participants’ properties, and more
Lunch and snacks/refreshments for both days

You will leave the course with a draft version of your own Riparian Management Plan!
Register now via Eventbrite to reserve your spot in the course!
If you have any questions, please contact Dawnia McCann from Brazeau County at 780-542-7777.

Mountain View County: 2-day Riparian Management Course
2018-07-23 09:00 - 2018-07-24 16:00 (America/Denver) | Bergen Hall, Range Rd 53C, Mountain View County, Alberta
Are you a farmer, rancher, or acreage owner with a “riparian area” – that is, land that borders some sort of water feature? Perhaps you have a stream running through your property, a small pond out back, or even just a wet spot in your cropland. If you do, then the next question is: are you managing your riparian areas to their full potential?
From July 23-24/2018, the Agroforestry and Woodlot Extension Society is partnering up with Cows & Fish and Mountain View County to deliver a mini-course that aims to help landowners manage their riparian areas in ways that maximize the environmental, social, and economic benefits to themselves, their community, and the greater watershed. Examples of these benefits include improved water quality, moderation of floods and droughts, erosion reduction, wildlife habitat, forage production for livestock, recreational opportunities, and alternative enterprises such as timber, firewood, fruit, nuts, mushrooms, and medicinal plants.
The course will begin with a brief background on riparian areas and their importance within the larger watershed. Participants will then get the chance to visit a riparian area in Mountain View County, where they will learn how to conduct a site assessment for determining riparian health and potential to provide functions, goods, and services. Back in the class, participants will be given maps of their own riparian areas and other tools to help define a vision and management plan. Course staff will support this exercise through presentations and one-on-one technical assistance on potential management practices that landowners may wish to consider (e.g. to provide opportunities for sustainable grazing, fruit or timber production, wildlife habitat, etc.), and an additional field visit, weather permitting. The course will end with participants having the opportunity to share their vision and management plan with other participants to receive further feedback and insight.
In short, this course includes
• Two full days of instruction/active participation on riparian area assessment, restoration and management. This includes site visits to nearby riparian areas each day, weather permitting.
• Printouts of background information and management tools, including a course workbook, relevant informational factsheets and manuals, laminated maps of participants’ properties, and more
• Lunch and snacks/refreshments for both days
The fee for this course is $20 per participant. 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.
Register at now via Eventbrite to reserve your spot for the course!
Any questions, Contact Daniela at Mountain View County 403-335-3311 Ext 204, email darcher@mvcounty.com

Lac St Anne/Parkland: 2-day Riparian Management Course
2018-08-10 09:00 - 2018-08-11 16:00 (America/Denver) | Lac Ste. Anne County Office, Box 219, Sangudo, Alberta, T0E 2A0, Canada
Are you a farmer, rancher, or acreage owner with a “riparian area” – that is, land that borders some sort of water feature? Perhaps you have a stream running through your property, a small pond out back, or even just a wet spot in your cropland. If you do, then the next question is: are you managing your riparian areas to their full potential?
From August 10-11/2018, the Agroforestry and Woodlot Extension Society is partnering up with Cows & Fish and Lac St Anne/Parkland Counties to deliver a mini-course that aims to help landowners manage their riparian areas in ways that maximize the environmental, social, and economic benefits to themselves, their community, and the greater watershed. Examples of these benefits include improved water quality, moderation of floods and droughts, erosion reduction, wildlife habitat, forage production for livestock, recreational opportunities, and alternative enterprises such as timber, firewood, fruit, nuts, mushrooms, and medicinal plants.
The course will begin with a brief background on riparian areas and their importance within the larger watershed. Participants will then get the chance to visit a riparian area in either Lac St Anne or Parkland County, where they will learn how to conduct a site assessment for determining riparian health and potential to provide functions, goods, and services. Back in the class, participants will be given maps of their own riparian areas and other tools to help define a vision and management plan. Course staff will support this exercise through presentations and one-on-one technical assistance on potential management practices that landowners may wish to consider (e.g. to provide opportunities for sustainable grazing, fruit or timber production, wildlife habitat, etc.), and an additional field visit, weather permitting. The course will end with participants having the opportunity to share their vision and management plan with other participants to receive further feedback and insight.
In short, this course includes
• Two full days of instruction/active participation on riparian area assessment, restoration and management. This includes site visits to nearby riparian areas each day, weather permitting.
• Printouts of background information and management tools, including a course workbook, relevant informational factsheets and manuals, laminated maps of participants’ properties, and more
• Lunch and snacks/refreshments for both days
The fee for this course is $20 per participant. 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.
For more information and to register, please contact Lorraine Taylor, Conservation Coordinator from Lac Ste. Anne County at 1-866-880-5722 or LTaylor@LSAC.ca

Bio-Blitz
2018-08-19 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Edmonton) | Rochon Sands Provincial Park, Rochon Sands, Alberta, T0C 3B0, Canada

Plant a Better World - Family & Youth
2018-08-20 15:00 - 17:00 (America/Edmonton) | North Cooking Lake Hall, 21033 Wye Rd, Sherwood Park, Alberta, T8G 1C7, Canada
Strathcona County Library Bookmobile’s “Library on Wheels” will be hosting this interactive and educational drop-in event for families. Azure Despins, Agroforestry Intern at AWES, will be there to speak on a range of forestry topics, demonstrate different tree aging techniques, and teach native Albertan tree identification. There will be a range of other activities at the event including making crafts from recycled materials, and planting trees in test tubes!
When: August 20th 2018, 3-5 PM
Where: Deville/North Cooking Lake Hall
Cost: FREE

Eco-Buffer & Shelterbelt Workshop
2018-09-18 09:00 - 16:00 (America/Edmonton) | Red Deer County Centre, 38106 Range Road 275, Red Deer, Alberta, T4S 2L9, Canada
Are you interested in enhancing your land’s habitat value for wildlife such as pollinators? Reducing wind-stress on your crops, livestock, or farm-site? Trapping snow where you want it to be trapped? Making your land more resilient to flooding and droughts?
If you missed the June 20th Eco-buffer & Shelterbelt workshop, don’t fret. On September 18, Luke Wonneck with the Agroforestry Woodlot Extension Society (AWES) will again be joining Red Deer County to host a 2nd Eco-buffer & Shelterbelt workshop aimed at helping participants put their own designs together, create a site prep plan and a customized management plan specifically for them. A short recap of the last workshop will also be given.
Available resources and funding opportunities to help with establishing Eco-Buffers and shelterbelts will also be discussed and you will leave with your own plan of action for your eco-buffer or shelterbelt!
When & Where:

Tuesday, September 18, 2018 from 5:00pm – 9:00pm
At the Red Deer County Centre, in Council Chambers

Agenda:

5:00pm – Intros, Recap June 20 presentations
6:15pm – Light dinner, ALUS/Green Acreages/CAP funding
6:45pm – Example: Wetland site assessment (outside)
7:45pm – Customizing your tree plant for different services
8:15pm – Creating your own plan
9:00pm – Head home

Registration:

Pre-registration is required
Register on Eventbrite.
Registration Deadline: Monday, September 20, 2018.
Note: your property’s Legal Land Location/Lot Block Plan numbers are required at the event

Please call Red Deer County’s Agriculture Services at 403.342.8654 with any questions, or email us at agriculture@rdcounty.ca

Vermilion River County: 2-day Riparian Management Course
2018-09-21 09:00 - 2018-09-22 16:00 (America/Denver) | Renewable Energy Learning Centre, Lakeland College, 5707 College Drive, Vermilion, Alberta, T9X 1K5, Canada
Register with Chris Elder, ALUS Coordinator, before September 12th to reserve your spot by contacting him at (780) 852-7844 or celder@county24.com
Are you a farmer, rancher, or acreage owner with a “riparian area” – that is, land that borders some sort of water feature? Perhaps you have a stream running through your property, a small pond out back, or even just a wet spot in your cropland. If you do, then the next question is: are you managing your riparian areas to their full potential?
From September 21-22, 2018, the Agroforestry and Woodlot Extension Society is partnering up with Cows & Fish and Vermilion River County to deliver a mini-course that aims to help landowners manage their riparian areas in ways that maximize the environmental, social, and economic benefits to themselves, their community, and the greater watershed. Examples of these benefits include improved water quality, moderation of floods and droughts, erosion reduction, wildlife habitat, forage production for livestock, recreational opportunities, and alternative enterprises such as timber, firewood, fruit, nuts, mushrooms, and medicinal plants.
The course will begin with a brief background on riparian areas and their importance within the larger watershed. Participants will then get the chance to visit a riparian area in Vermillion River County, where they will learn how to conduct a site assessment for determining riparian health and potential to provide functions, goods, and services. Back in the class, participants will be given maps of their own riparian areas and other tools to help define a vision and management plan. Course staff will support this exercise through presentations and one-on-one technical assistance on potential management practices that landowners may wish to consider (e.g. to provide opportunities for sustainable grazing, fruit or timber production, wildlife habitat, etc.), and an additional field visit, weather permitting. The course will end with participants having the opportunity to share their vision and management plan with other participants to receive further feedback and insight.
In short, this course includes
• Two full days of instruction/active participation on riparian area assessment, restoration and management. This includes site visits to nearby riparian areas each day, weather permitting.
• Printouts of background information and management tools, including a course workbook, relevant informational factsheets and manuals, laminated maps of participants’ properties, and more
• Lunch and snacks/refreshments for both days
The fee for this course is $20 per participant. 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.

Soil Erosion Series 2-day Workshop
2018-09-27 19:00 - 2018-09-28 16:00 (America/Edmonton) | Sexsmith Civic Centre, 99 Ave, Sexsmith, Alberta, T0H 3C0, Canada
For more information and to register for each please visit the Eventbrite events page for both days:
Day 1: Classroom session
Day 2: Workshop

Soil Erosion Series Field Day
2018-09-29 12:30 - 16:30 (America/Edmonton) | AB

Blindman River Restoration Project Open House
2018-10-23 13:00 - 16:00 (America/Edmonton) | Abbey Centre, 4500 Womacks Rd, Blackfalds, Alberta, T0M0J0, Canada
Agenda
Facilitator : Noel St Jean (AWES)
Participating Organizations: (Lacombe County, Red Deer County, Ponoka County,
Red Deer River Watershed Alliance, AWES & C&F)
1.
Introductions
a. Team member Introductions
b. Attendees Introductions
2.
Introduction to Blindman River Restoration Project (Noel St Jean)
a. Review of project details
b. Introduction to Riparian Assessment Project
3.
Review of the Riparian Assessment Project (Shari Clare)
a. Technical Details
b. Potential Future Uses
4.
Introduction and Review of the Ecological Values of Blindman River Riparian area (Kelsey Spicer-Rawe)
5.
Review of the Red Deer River Watershed Alliance Plans (Blindman River Sub-Basin)(Rosemarie Ferjuc)
6.
Benefits of becoming involved in the Blindman River Restoration Project & Process (Noel St.Jean)
a. Who Can Become Involved
b. How you can become involved
c. Linkages to other programs in the area.
d. Benefits to being involved
7.
Closing/Summation and Going Forward Plans (Noel St Jean)

Parkland County Bumblebee House Building Workshop
2018-10-25 17:30 - 20:30 (America/Edmonton) | Carvel Hall, 3A 52511 SH770, Parkland County, AB, T0E 0H0, Canada
Join us in Parkland County and learn about the lives and needs of bumblebees and other pollinators while building a bumblebee house to support native bumblebee populations!
Participants need to bring their own drill (fully charged) and/or screwdriver (Phillips and #1 Robertson), all other materials are provided. Light refreshments provided.
Space is limited.
$15 fee/bee box/registrant
Please RSVP by stopping at the Parkland County Centre front desk (53109A Hwy 779) and pay the registration fee to secure your spot.

*CANCELLED* Eco-Buffer and Shelterbelt Workshop
2018-11-01 18:00 - 21:00 (America/Edmonton) | Lacombe County Office, 40403 RGE RD 274, Lacombe, AB
Join Lacombe County and the AgroForestry & Woodlot Extension Society at the Eco-buffer and Shelterbelt Workshop!
It’s the perfect time to pre-plan for next year. This workshop will help participants prepare, plan and create planting designs for their eco-buffer/shelterbelt.
When: November 1, 2018, 6-9pm
Where: Lacombe County Office
Cost: $20
RSVP by calling Jalene or Krista at 403.782.8959
Eco-buffer – a high-density group of trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants designed and planted to be self-sustaining.
Shelterbelt – trees and shrubs planted as a barrier to reduce windspeed.

*CANCELLED* Woodlots and Forested Areas Workshop
2018-11-03 09:00 - 16:00 (America/Edmonton) | Hespero Hall, Hespero, Alberta, Canada
Are you a new landowner who is interested in learning best management practices for your forested land or woodlot, or a seasoned land owner who would like a refresher? Take a look at our event poster for more details about this workshop happening on November 3rd!

Sturgeon County Bumblebee House Building Workshop
2018-11-07 18:00 - 21:00 (America/Denver) | Cardiff Hall, 55320 Rge Rd 251 Sturgeon County, Alberta, T8R 1N6, Canada
Join Sturgeon County and the Agroforestry and Woodlot Extension Society for a Bumblebee House Workshop!
Date: November 7, 2018
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Location: Cardiff Hall – 55320 Rge Rd 251, Sturgeon County
Cost: $15 per person – includes bee box & light refreshments (one bee box per household please)
Learn about the lives and needs of bumblebees and other pollinators, and then build a bumblebee houses to take home!
Participants will need to bring their own drill (fully charged) and/or screwdriver (Phillips and #1 Robertson), all other materials are provided. Space is limited.
Please register by Nov 2, 2018.
Call – 780-939-8349 or
Email – agricultureservices@sturgeoncounty.ca.

Water and Agriculture Conference
2018-11-22 09:30 - 17:00 (America/Edmonton) | Crossfield & District Communty Hall, 900 Mountain Ave, Crossfield, Alberta, T0M 0S0, Canada
Are you a livestock or a crop producer who would like to learn more about riparian areas? We have all the details of the conference below. AWES will be at the conference with factsheets and other literature which will be available to participants – we’d love to chat with you!
$50 includes all sessions, lunch, coffee and snacks.
Registration starts at 9:00am.
Tradeshow Booths are available
Registration Deadline: November 16

Agenda includes:

Farming through the Change – David Sauchyn, Univeristy of Regina, Prairie Adaptation Research Collaborative
Wetlands on an Agricultural Landscape – John K. Pattison-Williams, University of Alberta
Working with the Wetland Policy – Matthew Wilson, Alberta Environment & Parks
Ducks Unlimited Producer Programs – Warren Robb, Ducks Unlimited
Agriculture Water Footprint and Social License – Dr. Reynold Bergen, Beef Cattle Research Council

Breakout Sessions:
Livestock Producer Sessions focused on Riparian Mangement including a Producer Showcase:

Riparian Pasture Science – Ross Adams, Alberta Environment & Parks
Riparian Management – Norine Ambrose, Cows & Fish

Crop Producer Sessions focused on Buffers and Wetland Management including a Producer Showcase:

Crops, Wetlands & Buffer Zones – Andrea Kalischuk, Alberta Agriculture & Forestry
Riparian Buffers – Tony Cowen, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

For more information contact Daniela at Mountain View County Agricultural Services:
Phone: 403-335-3311 Ext 204 email: darcher@mvcounty.com
Event Day Contact: Lorelee Grattidge 403-994-0837
Conference funded through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership Environmental Stewardship Program

Shelterbelt Workshop in Flagstaff County
2018-12-13 12:00 - 14:30 (America/Edmonton) | Flagstaff County Office, 12435 Twp Rd 442, Sedgewick, Alberta, T0B 4C0, Canada
Interested in creating a shelterbelt for your property? Are you a resident of Flagstaff County? Please join AWES and Flagstaff on December 13th 2018 to learn about the benefits of shelterbelts and how to create a custom shelterbelt design plus much more.
This is a FREE workshop with lunch included!
Please register by December 3rd to save your spot by contacting Brenda Martin at bmartin@flagstaff.ab.ca or call 780-384-4100.

Building for the Birds Workshop in Grande Prairie County
2019-02-04 17:30 - 20:30 (America/Edmonton) | Beaverlodge Agriculture Plex, 1123 5 Ave, Beaverlodge, Alberta, T0H 0C0, Canada
Join the County of Grande Prairie and the Agroforestry and Woodlot Extension Society for a Bird House building workshop.
Learn about the lives and needs of some of our local birds, and then build your own birdhouse! Participants need to bring their own drill and bits ( Phillips & #2 Robertson, 1/8 ” and 3/8″)
Snacks and refreshments will be provided. Enough material for 20 birdhouses will be provided (for first 20 registrants) and participants will build 1 birdhouse per group or family.
Register via Eventbrite. For further information, please contact Jill Henry 780-532-9727 or email jhenry@countygp.ab.ca

Building for the Berries Workshop in Grande Prairie County
2019-02-05 17:30 - 20:30 (America/Edmonton) | TARA Centre, 465X+M3, Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada
The prairies – including the Grande Prairie region – are home to a diversity of fruit producing species bursting with valuable antioxidants and other nutrients. Yet these species continue to be underutilized in our diets. On February 5th, join the County of Grande Prairie No. 1 and the Agroforestry and Woodlot Extension Society for a hands-on workshop on low-tech, ecologically-based fruit production, harvesting, and processing. The workshop will begin with a presentation that covers:

Promising fruit species for Alberta
How to design, establish, and maintain your own “food forest”
Low-tech strategies for harvesting and processing fruit

Following this presentation, participants will get the chance to build their own berry sorters that will make processing saskatoons, chokecherries, currants, and haskaps a breeze! Participants need to bring their own drill and bits (1/8” for making pilot holes, along with Phillips and #2 Robertson).
Snacks and refreshments will be provided. There will be enough material to build 20 berry sorters (the first 20 to register). Participants will build 1 berry sorter per group or family.
Register via Eventbrite. For further information, please contact Jill Henry 780-532-9727 or email jhenry@countygp.ab.ca

Shelterbelt Workshop in Northern Sunrise County
2019-02-06 18:30 - 21:30 (America/Edmonton) | St Isidore Cultural Center, 1 St, St Isidore, AB, T0H 3B0, Canada
AWES staff will be leading an interactive workshop on February 6th from 630PM to 830PM where participants learn about shelterbelts and Eco-Buffers, and how to design, establish, and maintain one on their own properties.
For more information:
Please visit the event page at www.northernsunrise.net
or call 780-322-3831
or send an email to alus@northernsunrise.net

Northern Sunrise County Bumblebee House Building Workshop
2019-02-07 18:30 - 21:30 (America/Edmonton) | St Isidore Cultural Center, 1 St, St Isidore, AB, T0H 3B0, Canada
Join AWES and Northern Sunrise County on February 7th, 2019 and learn about the importance of pollinators while getting crafty and building a house for bumble bees! It’s a great way to spend an evening with your friends or family!
Space is limited, so please register by emailing alus@northernsunrise.net or call Becky at 780-322-3831.
This is a FREE workshop, but you will have to bring your own cordless drill!

Eco-Buffer and Shelterbelt Workshop
2019-02-13 10:00 - 15:00 (America/Edmonton) | Red Deer County, 38106 Range Road 275, Alberta, T4S 2L9, Canada
Are you interested in enhancing your land’s habitat value for wildlife such as pollinators? Reducing wind-stress on your crops, livestock, or farm-site? Trapping snow where you want it to be trapped? Making your land more resilient to flooding and droughts?
Luke Wonneck with the Agroforestry Woodlot Extension Society (AWES) will join Red Deer County to host this workshop, aimed at helping participants create their own Eco-Buffer or shelterbelt design, site prep plan and customized management plan.
Available resources and funding opportunities to help with establishing Eco-Buffers and shelterbelts will also be discussed. You will leave with your own plan of action for your Eco-Buffer or shelterbelt!
Agenda:

10:00 am – Introductions
10:15 am – ALUS/Green Acreages/CAP funding
10:45 am – Shelterbelts and Eco-Buffers 101: Design, establishment, and maintenance basics
Noon – Lunch
12:30 pm – Activity: Conducting a virtual site assessment
1:00 pm – Customizing your design to provide specific services
1:30 pm – Activity: Creating your own plan
3:00 pm – Wrap up

Register via Eventbrite. For more information, call Ag Services at 403.342.8654 or email us at agriculture@rdcounty.ca

Blindman River Restoration Project Info Session
2019-03-27 16:00 - 19:00 (America/Edmonton) | Forshee Community Hall, Range Rd 20, Bentley, Alberta, T0C 0J0, Canada
Landowners are invited to attend a session to learn more about the health and ecology of the Blindman River and discuss proposed restoration work to improve the quality of the river’s water and riparian area.
Participants will learn about:

The Blindman River Project
How you can get involved
The ecological and environmental values of the river
Project funding opportunities

For more information and to register, please visit the Eventbrite page.
