Supporting Farmers and Ranchers Driving Climate Solutions

Farmers and ranchers are on the frontlines of climate change. Through our partnership with ALUS, we’re helping them build climate resilience on their farms and in their communities one acre at a time. 

Photo Credit: ALUS/DA Photography

Whether it’s fighting flood, drought, wind or wildfire, ALUS is helping farmers and ranchers across the country find ways to adapt to an ever-changing and unpredictable climate. One of the fastest and multi-beneficial ways to do this is to create, restore, and enhance natural areas on the farm to create natural infrastructure that reduces weather-related risks, while also supporting soil health, water quality, and biodiversity. 

Wawanesa recognizes the power of on-farm nature-based solutions for building rural community resilience. Since the start of our partnership with ALUS in 2023, we have supported the creation of 225 acres of nature on working lands in four ALUS communities in Alberta and Ontario. These communities were identified as being prone to severe weather risks, like flood and wind damage.  

With support through our Climate Champions program, 30 farmers and ranchers in these areas have started nature-friendly projects like building wetlands, planting trees along streams, and creating wind barriers. These efforts help protect their farms and surrounding communities from extreme weather, establish wildlife habitats, and prevent wind and water erosion.  

Here’s one story of the many ALUS farmer-rancher Climate Champions we’ve supported:

Gary and Debbie in Caledon  

Gary and Debbie, Ontario farmers and participants of the ALUS Peel program, own a property that is home to important natural water areas.  To protect an existing stream, reduce soil erosion, and reduce the risk of flooding, Gary and Debbie planted a mix of trees and shrubs to create a riparian buffer. They added to the forest cover, by planting more trees and shrubs with to create linkages between existing woodlands, and provide greater wind and water erosion control, improve soil health, and regulate the water cycle.  

 The benefits of these projects extend well beyond the farm field. They produce several benefits for the surrounding community, including: 

• Protect the land from damage caused by severe wind and ice storms. 

• Reduce blowing snow and hazardous snow drifts. 

• Prevent soil and nutrients from washing into nearby streams and rivers. 

• Refill underground water sources to support drinking water quality and quantity. 

• Food and shelter for beneficial insects and other wildlife. 

Building on-farm resilience to climate-related events doesn’t just benefit the farmer, but all Canadians.  Thanks to our Wawanesa Climate Champions program, ALUS farmers and ranchers are building rural community climate resilience in some of the regions where it's needed most.