Through participation in the program, farmers become involved in habitat conservation in one of several ways, depending on the characteristics of their property and their interests. The focus of the program is on the PROTECTION of important habitat areas, RESTORATION of important areas degraded by past land use, and ENHANCEMENT to create habitat. For those producers operating on fully developed properties, or for those bound by terms of lease, there is the option to participate in the program by choosing to make a FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION to TLC to be used directly for local habitat conservation initiatives.
The level of protection depends largely on the willingness of the landowner and his/her vision for their land. Levels of commitment may range from stewardship agreements to longer-term agreements such as conservation covenants or transfer of title.
The terms of participation are clearly defined in a Partnership Agreement. This Partnership Agreement is reviewed on an annual basis. When applicable, longer-term plans are prepared with the help of TLC staff, outlining actions for the stewardship of the property. Annual monitoring helps to ensure the terms of the Partnership agreement are upheld, and helps all parties evaluate how they are doing.
Participants are invited to volunteer as members of a regional agricultural advisory committee to ensure their opinions and program suggestions are expressed. Participants are invited to attend the committee meetings which are held at least once a year, but usually not more than twice a year.
Participation Criteria
The Conservation Partners Program involves landowners’ voluntary participation in conservation initiatives. The following guidelines are good measures of a participant’s success in conservation efforts. The first guideline, protecting existing natural habitats, is the most critical conservation action landowners can do. For those who do not have natural habitats remaining on their property, a combination of other actions can provide valuable benefits for conservation.
Protecting important natural habitats.
Examples: preserve native vegetation, fencing, noxious weed control, signage, avoiding exposure to agro toxic substances. Some important habitats include vegetated corridors along streams and lakes, native grasslands, wetlands, and rocky slopes.
Protecting special habitat features.
Examples: wildlife trees, rock piles, coarse woody debris, and structures such as old sheds and barns.
Restoration of important habitats that have been impacted by past land use activities.
Examples: water-based habitats can usually respond with fencing out livestock, not harvesting into riparian areas, or replanting native vegetation along streams and lakes. Arid habitats are usually more difficult to restore.
Enhancing to create habitat.
Examples: installing bird, bat or mason bee boxes, planting hedgerows, creating ponds, making debris piles for cover habitat.
Maintaining wildlife movement corridors.
Examples: passage through property for wildlife by leaving a corridor between one property and another, planting hedgerows to provide cover and nesting habitat
Non-lethal management practices for problem wildlife
Examples: bird scare tactics (except Starlings), snake tolerance or exclusion fencing, deer and bear fencing;
Adopting efficient uses of natural resources.
Examples: using different irrigating techniques that will help maintain water levels and water quality for fish and wildlife; relocating ditches to natural creek channels to store more water; nurturing and maintaining soil.
Monetary or In-kind contributions to local conservation efforts
Examples: volunteering for conservation work programs; contributing percentage of profits to TLC conservation partners program; establishing conservation covenants to perpetuate conservation of lands and receive tax breaks.
