The East Interlake Watershed District (EIWD) will be distributing a lot of trees at no cost this year to help landowners combat the climate crisis and protect the ecosystem.
EIWD director Armand Belanger said 16,000 trees will be made available to landowners who fall within the watershed district’s catchment area and who meet certain criteria.
The trees are part of the federal Liberal government’s 2 Billion Trees (2BT) funding program, which will provide funding for 10 years to help tackle climate change and biodiversity loss.
“We are getting the saplings through AWES [Agroforestry and Woodlot Extension Society], a partner in Alberta,” said Belanger. “Trees, mulch blanket and use of our tree planter and mulch applicator are free to landowners. The main criteria are that landowners maintain the trees.”
The federal government’s 2BT program states that the trees will capture and store carbon from the atmosphere, improve air and water quality, help restore nature and biodiversity, cool urban centres and support green jobs.
The EIWD, which receives federal and provincial funding support, works with landowners to help minimize the impacts of land use and agriculture on the environment.
The district delivered millions of dollars in government programs in 2023 including initiatives such as shelterbelts, reforestation, tree and grass planting, exclusion fencing (to protect riverbanks and other water courses from animals), well water testing, erosion control, conservation payments for landowners’ maintaining or protecting important areas, cover crops, nitrogen management, rotational grazing, water retention, wetland enhancement, pollinator strips and prairie re-wilding.
The EIWD moved its headquarters in Gimli from 74 First Ave. to 15 Jacobson Dr., off Gimli Park Road. The two-acre site, which was previously owned by commercial fisher Gord Jacobson, has a newly constructed office with a spacious boardroom, said Belanger. It also has a walk-in fridge/freezer, which used to store fish and can now store trees. The expanded site will allow the EIWD to efficiently store equipment and supplies.
“While the previous office was conveniently located on the main street, the new site offers a more serene environment. Staff and visitors now enjoy views of deer, rabbits and even a weasel as they peer out the windows. The picturesque surroundings provide a refreshing change from the bustling city streets of Gimli,” he said.
The move to the new office began a year before the actual relocation, he added. EIWD secured approvals from its 16 municipal partners and the provincial government.
The EIWD is experiencing unprecedented activity because of several funding programs for farmers and land stewards, said Belanger.
In addition to the 16,000 trees, the Manitoba Habitat Conservancy’s Growing Outcomes in Watershed program is providing funding to enhance, maintain and protect wetlands, grasslands, uplands and riparian zones.
“Landowners can now receive yearly payments for undrained class 1 and 2 wetlands,” said Belanger.
The Prairie Watersheds Climate Program, which was established by the federal government and is administered by the Manitoba Association of Watersheds, will also be helping reduce nitrogen, integrate cattle and encourage cover cropping.
“These practices have shown to reduce greenhouse gases,” said Belanger. “Of particular interest to the watershed district and farmers is that these practices align with the six principles of regenerative agriculture, where input costs are reduced while building healthy soil, transforming soil that was once like concrete into a sponge.”
The EIWD is currently renewing its Netley-Grassmere and Willow Creek Integrated Watershed Management Plans, which are a cooperative effort by all levels of government, community members, Indigenous peoples and watershed organizations to manage resources for the long term.
“This cooperative effort will outline short and long-term watershed goals that will increase the health of the watershed for all watershed residents,” said Belanger.
For more information about EIWD services and programs, call (204) 642-7578 or visit the website: www.eastinterlake.ca
