2. Lac La Nonne Enhancement and Protection Association www.lepa-ab.com

3. An hour NW of Edmonton, south of the town of Barrhead youll find the Lac La Nonne Watershed

4. This 300 km-square sub-shed of the Athabasca/Pembina river basin consists of rolling farmland, aspen forest, streams, wetlands and lakes. Including two of the regions recreational lakes Lac La Nonne & Nakamun Lake

5. around whose shorelines numerous subdivisions and 2 summer villages make up the majority of the watershed population.

6. Concerns about declining water quality and quantity in the watershed resulted in the launch of the Water Quality Assessment and Improvement Project by the Lac La Nonne Enhancement & Protection Association in the spring of 2004 Which included the development of three on-farm riparian beneficial management practice demonstration sites.

7. Area Farm families were approached with the idea of sharing their land to Demonstrate different strategies for grazing livestock in riparian areas (green zones of lush vegetation next to streams, lakes, ponds and wetlands) The focus of these riparian BMP demonstration projects is to increase awareness of how agricultural impacts on natural resources can be mitigated through a combination of off-site water development, fencing and controlled grazing strategies while maintaining the economical viability of the agricultural industry

8. managing livestock access to riparian areas can reduce nutrient inputs to surface waters and provide critical rest to willows and native grasses during spring and fall deep-rooted vegetation is important for maintaining healthy riparian areas

9. KirchnerKirchner in 2004 Lac La Nonne Enhancement & Protection Association-LEPA working together with Kirchner Farms established the first Riparian Beneficial Management Practice Project south-east of Lac La Nonne

10. N to demonstrate the Improved Utilization and Sustainability of watershed resources on productive agricultural property PROJECT SITE IN RED

11. A riparian assessment on the property by Alberta Riparian Habitat Management Society - Cows and Fish identified the extent of damage to stream and riparian areas from some 50 years of livestock grazing SITE IMPACTS

12. PROJECT ACTIVITIES Field staff from Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration and Alberta Agriculture, Food & Rural Development assisting volunteers and owner to layout project activities

13. A shallow well was excavated to find a clean groundwater source adjacent to riparian zone

14. a 16 foot culvert was set in place with washed gravel for a well casing resulting in a good clean water source with adequate flow for livestock operation on the property

15. Solar panels, batteries and a water pump were installed and the immediate area fenced to protect animals and equipment

16. A 1250 gallon tank with electric float-switch to control pump operation was placed on nearby hill for regulation of water flow to livestock trough

17. Water distribution lines were buried between well, storage tank and watering trough by an agricultural member. Plow supplied by PFRA

18. With assistance from landowner, a new fence and gates were erected around stream wetlands creating a RIPARIAN pasture

19. Completing project, volunteers positioned 350 gallon livestock water trough to supply all three pastures as livestock is rotated cattle being transferred to another pasture

20. Management of riparian areas by seasonal livestock rotation controlling grazing during critical growing cycles – only A working BMP demonstration site well tank trough 2 nd pasture pasture #1 Riparian pasture GRAZING STRATEGY

21. Cottagers and farmers worked side by side to achieve the first riparian management demonstration site in the region PROJECT OUTCOMES Restoration of native riparian grasses, willow and shrubs to provide shelter and forage for livestock and wildlife

22. TourTour On September 22, 2004 area agricultural producers and lake residents were invited to tour Demonstration Project and participate in grande opening

23. George VanderBurg MLA Whitecourt/Lac Ste Anne ( on right ) and Harvey Thompson LEPA President unveil project signage

24. describing BMP development and operation to area cottagers and farmers Alberta Agriculture and PFRA staff

25. measuring sustainability of riparian areas and natural pastureland presented by Cows and Fish (Alberta Riparian Habitat Management Society)

26. Kirchner family and visitors viewing project components

27. A lunch and discussions on the Water Quality Assessment & Improvement Project and future BMP opportunities completed the tour

28. WoodWood In financial partnership with John & Norma Wood second Riparian Demonstration BMP Project was established in 2005 on Majeau creek, a major tributary feeding into Lac La Nonne

29. N 33 This demonstration project involves two sites on the Wood farm one spanning Majeau creek the second a wetland feeding into creek

30. SITE IMPACTS Area #2 – overgrazing results in contaminants draining into area waters from nearby uplands Area #1 stream banks and bed devastated by years of livestock foraging

31. Landowner in consultation with volunteers regarding riparian fence positioning along creek and wetlands PROJECT ACTIVITIES

32. this included selecting a suitable location for a dugout adjacent to Area #2 wetlands

33. working around farming activities (haying - harvest) volunteers string barbwire through pastures along Majeau Creek and wetlands fence posts were installed by land owner for LEPA

34. some new recruits learning the ins and outs of fencing

35. was excavated after freeze up providing a 3-year water supply A major aspect of this project was the development of an adequate water source, for this a 200 x 80 x 18 foot 4960 cubic yard dugout

36. contractor trenching channel for supply line to off-site well e/w solar system and water bowl to provide a safe access to year round livestock watering source

37. a Job Well Done Landowner and volunteers working together completed fencing dugout and off-site well the following spring

38. Solar powered, motion controlled winter watering system an all seasons water source for a 60 cow/calf operation

39. providing a better alternate to seasonal use of stream course and drainage ponds GRAZING STRATEGY With a good, safe year-round water source, the plan is to leave the stream and riparian areas reestablish themselves

40. BMP OUTCOMES sustaining Majeau Creek as a habitat for fish and wildlife reemergence of native plants - filtration for agricultural runoff sediments and nutrients

41. DeZaeyerDeZaeyer working together to demonstrate that agriculture production and environment protection objectives can and do coexist De Zaeyer Farms In partnership with the Watersheds two Stewardship groups the Lac La Nonne Watershed Stewardship Society and the Lac La Nonne Enhancement & Protection Association DEVELOPED THE

42. N aerial photo looking south with the new De Zaeyer demonstration site Kirchner site in the foreground and Lac La Nonne South on right

43. hectares of watershed marsh and open pond at risk due to livestock grazing and watering SITE IMPACTS

44. volunteers from both watershed group with direction of supplier assembling windmill tower PROJECT ACTIVITIES

45. 21 foot tower nearly complete?

46. windmill assembly transported to site and volunteers prepare to erect unit on shallow well established at edge of the pond riparian zone temporary portable fencing setup

47. a difficult undertaking for volunteers The completed 30 foot windmill c/w 8-foot aeromotor blades being erected using truck (behind bush) and guided with tractor

48. To facilitate raising and lowing of windmill assembly, a hinged platform was welded atop well casing

49. System pump & rods 1 1/2 waterline and 3 overflow drain-line from tank attached to well

50. using PFRA plow landowner buries waterlines and tracer-wire below pasture grasses

51. Storage tank set on nearby hill and gravity-fed watering trough placed at lower level

52. Develop a environmentally friendly, clean water source as a better alternative to utilizing pond and marsh GRAZING STRATEGY

53. PROJECT OUTCOMES Land owner preserving the bio-diversity of watershed wetlands for wildlife and livestock

54. Alberta Riparian Habitat Management Society - Cows and Fish conducted separate riparian health inventories of each project: one within the project area and another in an riparian area unaffected by agricultural activities. These inventories will be used as a monitoring tool for change on these ongoing Riparian Improvement Demonstration projects.

55. As of the summer of 2006 three BMP demonstration sites have been completed in the Lac La Nonne watershed. In all, four new riparian pastures totaling ~100 acres have been created to help manage livestock access to these sensitive areas. New eco water sources and distribution systems were developed at each site providing clean easily accessible water for the landowner s livestock. It took 3 km of new fence line plus the cooperation, dedication and hard work of a core group of volunteers and technical personnel to achieve this.

56. Financial support was received from Canadian Adaptation & Rural Development - CRP Alberta Agriculture Food and Rural Development – CAWFP Alberta Stewardship Network Alberta Water for Life Our thanks to: DeZaeyer Farms, Kirchner Farms & the Wood Farm Alberta Agriculture and Food Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada – Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration. Alberta Riparian Habitat Management Society - Cows & Fish Lac La Nonne Watershed Stewardship Society and Lac La Nonne Enhancement & Protection Associations volunteers for Their Commitment, Support and Time

57. Our membership is comprised of local agricultural producers, recreational users, lake residents and resorts operators. LEPA's mandate is to preserve the biological integrity of the Lac La Nonne Watershed and to protect it from environmental damage. We encourage among our members and the public recognition of the importance of the sustainability of all natural areas. Working Harmoniously to improve the health of the watershed; its waters and riparian areas. Lac La Nonne Enhancement & Protection Association - a non-profit society established in 1983, now with charity status - Site 1, Box 14, RR#1 Gunn, AB. T0E 1A0 www.lepa-ab.com

58. Photography courtesy of: o Sarah Depoe - Alberta Agriculture and Food o Jason Vanrobaeys & Perry Sawchuk –AAFC/PFRA o Lorne Fitch & Kerri OShaughnessy - Cows and Fish o Jerry Wispinski – LWSS o Tim Clarke – LEPA Project participating landowners granted LEPA permission to use their projects and photos for this presentation Produced & Narrated by: Tim Clarke With assistance from: Gisel Bourgeois & Lorna MacFadzen Technical support provided by: Kerri OShaughnessy - Cows and Fish