Conservation Agreements
Our Conservation Agreements are typically 10-15 years in length and focus on non-prescriptive measures to increase connectivity and health of native grasslands. Every ranching operation is different and so are their needs to increase productivity of their rangelands.
Habitat Restoration Agreements:
The Saskatchewan Stock Growers Foundation utilizes a Reverse Auction process to facilitate the restoration of cultivated lands to native grassland.
The primary land of interest is in the short and mixed grass regions of Saskatchewan and priority would be given to land close to existing grasslands or critical habitat for species at risk. The main focus is to increase connectivity for wildlife and species at risk, increase biodiversity and monitor the ability for restored native grasslands to store and sequester soil organic carbon.
Producers agree to convert cultivated lands to perennial cover using native plant species.The native seed blends will be sourced and purchased by the SSGF with the landowner having the opportunity to influence the type of seed mix purchased. The producer will be responsible for weed control, land preparation, seeding and establishment. Financial incentive will be based on all activities above plus an estimate of lost opportunities through conversion back to perennial cover.
Seeded areas will be rested for up to two years to allow for establishment before working to implement an appropriate grazing strategy. These are then maintained in perennial cover for 30 years where cooperating producers will have no land use restrictions following the term of the agreement.
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Habitat Management Agreements
These are flexible, ranch-specific agreements designed to support management strategies or conservation measures that maintain or improve the health, productivity, and ecological function of Saskatchewan’s rangelands. Each agreement is developed with the rancher to address specific opportunities, challenges, and management goals on their operation.
Projects can include a wide range of on-the-ground activities, such as cross-fencing to improve grazing distribution, wildlife-friendly fencing, invasive species and weed control, range and habitat monitoring, grazing management plans, and water development.
For example, invasive plant species such as leafy spurge may be addressed through a combination of biological control, chemical control, and targeted grazing. Grazing management strategies may include rotational grazing or deferred grazing to improve pasture health and benefit important wildlife habitat, including nesting areas.
Ranchers receive funding based on the management activities or conservation measures undertaken as part of the agreement. SSGF funding is available up to a maximum of $35,000 per agreement, and agreement holders are required to contribute in-kind to the project. The amount of the landowner contribution will vary depending on the project and will be discussed with the landowner well before an agreement is signed.
All Habitat Management Agreements are multi-species focused, recognizing that healthy, functioning grasslands support a wide range of wildlife and ecological values. Because these projects are intended to achieve meaningful environmental outcomes, agreements may include longer-term commitments to help maintain the benefits of the management practices over time.
Each agreement is unique to the rancher and their operation, taking into consideration their objectives, available resources, and the specific circumstances present on their land. Agreements generally include two key sections: one identifying the conservation measures the rancher agrees to implement or maintain, and another outlining destructive activities the rancher agrees to avoid.
The goal is to develop practical, achievable conservation projects that work for the ranch while improving the health and resilience of the grasslands.
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Results Based Conservation Agreements: Bird-friendliness Index Incentive Program
The Bird-friendliness Index Incentive Program is an outcomes-based conservation program. Participants in the program are eligible to receive per-acre annual payments in recognition of positive outcomes for bird conservation on farms and ranches. This program delivered in partnership with Birds Canada and is designed as a biodiversity incentive program to compensate producers for the contributions they are making to bird conservation.
To measure outcomes for birds we use a metric called the Bird-friendliness Index. Birds Canada will conduct bird surveys on your farm/ranch to determine a Bird-friendliness Index Score. In each year of the program that your Bird-friendliness Index score is 0.5 or above, you are eligible to receive a per-acre payment.
The Bird-friendliness Index
The Bird-friendliness Index is a metric that uses data collected from farms and ranches. It compares how many common and at-risk birds are on a farm/ranch compared to surrounding landscape.
A farm’s BFI score is reported as a single number between 0 and 1 that describes the contribution that farm is making to bird conservation. A farm that has a BFI over 0.5 is considered as providing above-average benefits to birds within its regional context. I.e. Farms/ranches that have higher densities of birds of conservation concern than the surrounding landscape have BFI scores of above 0.5.
These are non-prescriptive agreements whereby a producer receives a financial payment once they achieve an environmental target or outcome. Failure to meet desired results does not the landowner will be penalized, it means financial compensation was not triggered.
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Grass Banking:
Grass Banking programs have been a successful conservation tool implemented by ranchers in the U.S. over the last 15 years. Grass Banking allows cooperating producers to use Grasslands National Park land at a reduced grazing fee if they are able to achieve habitat targets and environmental outcomes on both park land and private land. This program is in partnership with Grasslands National Park, SOCAP and SSGA. It is looking to expand to include larger areas of the park with additional local ranchers.
Local ranchers will get access to park land at a reduced rate if they can demonstrate they are achieving habitat targets for species at risk like the Greater Sage Grouse, Sprague’s Pipit and the Chestnut Collared Longspur. SODCAP is responsible for monitoring the habitat for this type of agreement.
The impact of these agreements will result in the achievement of real environmental outcomes.
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Cost Sharing
All agreements have an element of cost sharing between the SSGF and the landowner. The in-kind contribution demonstrates the commitment from the landowner and the private benefits that come from agreement goals becoming achieved. In-kind contributions can include multiple aspects such as:
- Time for planning and management
- Materials and supplies
- Equipment
- Monitoring and Maintenance
Conservation Agreement Application
Our success will be measured in many ways! From environmental, social and economic metrics to sharing the stories of ranchers working in the grasslands everyday. We cannot let this precious resource disappear from our landscape.