It’s time to be thinking about planting your shelterbelts! Trees and shrubs act as a great windbreak, enhance wildlife, help control soil erosion, trap snow and protect livestock. To help design farm, field, and dugout shelterbelts, information packages are available as well as the aid of the Rural Conservation Technician at the County office. Trees and shrubs can also be ordered through the PFRA online at http://www.agr.gc.ca/pfra/shelterbelt_e.htm , but the planting and watering responsibility rests on the landowner.

The County of Newell has partnered with the EID and Partners in Habitat Development Program to help increase and sustain the wildlife in southern Alberta. Trees and shrubs are provided by PFRA, and PHD provides fencing materials for areas where livestock are not permitted. The Rural Conservation Technician and PHD Wildlife Habitat Technicians are here to help develop and initiate projects. If approved by the PHD, trees will be planted for the landowner, but trees will not be planted for the landowner around farmyards.

There have been some changes to the Prairie Shelterbelt Program for trees. The acreage size has changed from minimum 39acres, to 5 acres. The application form has also changed. Previously trees were handed out on a first come first serve basis. The landowner now must specify the planting purposes. Choices are farmyard, field, roadside, livestock, wildlife, riparian, and replacements. The applications will be handled based on importance. Certain varieties are available depending on the planting purpose. For example, Cottonwoods are only allowed if planting for wildlife, riparian or replacements.

For more information please contact the Rural Conservation Technician, Holly White at the County of Newell office (403) 362-2772. Even though the application process has changed it is still important to get your application in as soon as possible. The deadline is March 15. Applications are also available for farmstead/acreage and ornamental trees online at www.marketland.net or at the County office.

Eligibility
The following are eligible for tree and shrub seedlings:

· Private land owners in SK, MB, AB and Peace River Region of B.C. whose acreage size is at least 5 acres (2 Ha), taxes are paid to a municipality or county, or land is zoned as agricultural.

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Owners of rural land holdings of 1-39 acres (.4-16ha) in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and British Columbia are eligible to receive caragana, green ash, Manitoba maple and hawthorn.

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Federal and provincial departments planting on eligible public, private or Crown lands for conservation, reclamation or research purposes are eligible for seedlings.

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Villages, towns and cities are eligible to receive caragana, Manitoba maple, green ash, villosa lilac and hawthorn for perimeter plantings and shelterbelts.

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Perimeter plantings around churches, schools and cemetery lands are eligible for seedlings, providing maintenance is guaranteed.

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Charitable organizations, such as 4-H, Scouts, etc., can plant seedlings on eligible land that serves the public without charge.

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First Nations councils and individuals for planting on reserves are eligible for seedlings.

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Commercial enterprises, golf courses, resort areas and private holdings in urban areas are not eligible for seedlings.

IMPORTANT: All applications for seedlings must be completed in full, signed and accompanied by a diagram of the planting. The application must state the legal land location and specify the planting locations, certifying that the plants will not be moved, sold or given to another party, and authorizing PFRA staff to inspect the planted trees at any reasonable time.
All applications are subject to approval based on the requirements stated, and may be refused at the discretion of the Shelterbelt Centre. Every effort is made to supply eligible applicants with the species and number of plants requested. Certain species are occasionally unavailable and the Centre makes the best substitutions possible.