Wetland at Van Til Farm
Many of us know that when farmers and conservationists work together, both agriculture and nature benefit. But how many of us have seen this in action? I became one of the fortunate few when I attended the 9th annual Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS) farm tour in Norfolk County. ALUS is a community-developed, farmer-delivered program that supports farmers and ranchers who enhance and maintain nature’s benefits. It is a nation-wide program. Norfolk is its birthplace in Ontario.
We toured four farms, two of which have constructed wetlands. The one on the Renner Farm was put in this year, while the one at Bonnieheath Estate Lavender & Winery is four years old. The contrast between these two wetlands was striking. The former resembled a nondescript pond on a construction site, whereas the latter was vibrant and biodiverse, exemplifying what a healthy wetland should look like. I was surprised that it took only four years for the edges of the older wetland to fill with native grasses, wildflowers and shrubs, and I am hopeful that the same will occur at the Renner Farm wetland.
Newly created wetland at Renner Farm
Established wetland at Bonnieheath Estate Lavender & Winery
One of the attractions of this year’s Norfolk County tour was the inclusion of new types of farm operations. Woodhouse Hollow Boarding Stable and Bonnieheath Estate Lavender & Winery focus on activities outside the agricultural mainstream. By including them on the tour, ALUS is demonstrating its flexibility and expansion potential.
Horse paddock at Woodhouse Hollow Boarding Stables
Ontario Nature is a proud partner of ALUS. We share ALUS’s vision of a healthy landscape that sustains agriculture, wildlife and natural spaces, and look forward to a long and productive relationship.
Lisa joined Ontario Nature in 2006 and currently oversees the Nature Network, a province-wide network of more than 150 naturalist groups and NGOs. An outdoor enthusiast, she enjoys hiking and camping with her family.