ALUS program puts the farmer in the driver’s seat

By MPP Toby Barrett

To The Haldimand Press

The public appetite to protect and promote our natural environment continues to grow.

With the majority of southern Ontario’s land base under private ownership, it remains critical to engage those who own the land as conservation partners on the working landscape – a landscape where farmers and stakeholders can work collaboratively to conserve our soil, water, wildlife, and other natural resources.

ALUS – which stands for Alternate Land Use Services – is one program that puts the farmer in the driver’s seat and promises a well-managed and protected environment at a reasonable cost.

Canada’s ALUS program recognizes that owners of agricultural land and other property owners can truly contribute to the establishment, restoration, and preservation of natural ecosystems.

It is a program based on setting aside marginal land, recognizing owners of land. It is a voluntary, farmer-led, rancher-led, landowner-led, incentive-based program.