By Sheila Phibbs
The Haldimand Press
An innovative conservation project has taken root in Haldimand as a row crop field in the Grand River valley flood plain has been converted into Tallgrass Prairie.
Tallgrass Prairie is a mix of native grasses and forbs that provide various benefits, including cleaner air, cleaner water, and increased biodiversity. With the support of ALUS (Alternative Land Use Services), a demonstration field has been planted. ALUS participants may graze/hay their Tallgrass Prairie fields after July 15 so that species-at-risk birds can fledge (develop their wing feathers for flight). The initiative is a partnership between the Haldimand Stewardship Council (HSC), ALUS Norfolk, the Haldimand Bird Observatory, Hobbitstee Wildlife Refuge, and the land owners, Bill and Elizabeth Hurkmans.
Elizabeth Hurkmans, who is an HSC board member, explains that their involvement began after the Haldimand Bird Observatory set up in a marshy, wooded area on a farm property the Hurkmans own along the river. Chief Bird Bander Rick Ludkin and others observed a number of species of birds both passing through and living in the area.
Ludkin also noticed a few grassland birds, some of which are becoming endangered, such as the bobolink and meadowlark. His was concerned by the lack of grassland for these birds, noting that so many fields, including six acres adjacent to the bird banding area, were growing soybeans. He suggested that the field could be a grassland where grassland species could be observed.
The Hurkmans consulted with their daughter, a wetland and terrestrial biologist and co-owner of Natural Resource Solutions Inc. in Waterloo, the HSC, and Cathy Blott, Habitat Design and Stewardship. They discussed planting native tallgrass, as it can be harvested later in the season and, once established, become permanent and self-sustaining.
Further investigation revealed that seed was expensive. Blott and HSC’s Resource Manager Winona Drouin found several grants and funding opportunities. Funding partners for the project include Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA)/Haldimand County (Rural Water Quality Program), Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (Species at Risk and Farmers in Partnership), ALUS Norfolk and ALUS-National, Forests Ontario, Grasslands Ontario, and private supporters.
Hurkmans says that the funding covers the cost of seed and may help with other costs such as planting, professional advice, management, crop loss, etc. She says, “We needed expertise to plant this crop and our MPP put us in touch with ALUS in Norfolk County.”
Following discussions on the pros and cons of planting in a productive field with ALUS Norfolk and ALUS-National, it was determined to plant the native prairie grass in May 2022 because the project will act as a buffer to an adjacent watercourse.
Stephanie Giles, ALUS Norfolk Program Coordinator, describes the native tallgrass prairie that was planted in Dunnville as “important habitat for species at risk, helps bolster local biodiversity, and contributes to improved water quality in local water bodies…. The native tallgrass prairie also allows for a reduction of nutrient input to the adjacent watercourse.”
Tallgrass prairies take up to three years to establish as the plant’s energy is focused on developing root systems. Giles says, “The landowners will spend the first three years managing the land to combat invasive competition and allow the tallgrass prairie to establish.”
Hurkmans shares, “We observe the field frequently and see the grasses slowly emerging. Controlling the weed plants means mowing them before they take over. Next year native wildflower plugs will be added. In time, the project will be a demonstration site for other land owners who are interested.”
Blott notes that HSC is trying to re-establish a buffered tributary system throughout Haldimand to capture, clean, and absorb storm water. She refers to the success in Norfolk County where they had to buffer their tributaries decades ago due to erosion of the sandy soil. She says, “I love Norfolk for this land management…. It is the best example of buffered tributaries in Ontario and it’s right next door.”
According to Alyssa Cousineau of ALUS, “This demonstration site shows that ALUS is invested in seeing the benefits of a local program come to Haldimand. The next step is to bring together the stakeholders in Haldimand to determine how ALUS can fit into Haldimand. Once this structure is determined, new producers will be welcomed to enroll in the program.”
A field of tallgrass prairie was planted in Haldimand on May 31, 2022.
Hurkmans shares this objective as she says, “Probably the most important outcome of this project is the possibility of establishing an ALUS community in Haldimand. ALUS helps farmers and ranchers build nature-based solutions on their land to sustain agriculture and biodiversity for the benefit of communities and future generations.”
For more information, visit alus.ca.
