On the Ground

Working with the agricultural community of BC

Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) has a 30-year history promoting sustainable and economical agricultural practices in British Columbia. DUC recognizes agricultural producers as important stewards of the land, whether they are crop farmers or cattle ranchers. DUC has a variety of programs to assist producers to create sustainable operations, as well as protect the vital wildlife habitat that exists on their land. In BC, DUC works together with producers, as partners, to make these programs successful. Below are some of the programs we offer.

Beneficial Management Practices

DUC entered into a partnership with the British Columbia Agriculture Council (BCAC) to contribute $250,000 to help producers make improvements to their operations using Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs). BMPs are methods producers can use to help them farm sustainably, lower environmental risks, protect water supply, and enhance habitat for waterfowl and other wildlife.

DUC’s contribution will add to the $2.5 million of federal-provincial funding made available through the BCAC, which leads the Environmental Farm Program (EFP) program in B.C. Through the EFP, producers can request an environmental review for their farm to develop specific action items to reduce environmental risks. The BMP program will provide financial incentives to improve on-farm stewardship.

Producers must complete an Environmental Farm Plan (available through the BC Agricultural Council, below) to qualify for funding to implement BMPs. For more information about Beneficial Management Practices in BC, call 1-800-665-3825 toll-free and ask for the DUC office in British Columbia nearest you.

On-Farm Planning

On-Farm Planning differs from the Environmental Farm Program. It began as a DUC initiative that offers long-term agreements with producers to share the cost of land management in order to reduce environmental risks and enhance habitat on farmland. Targeted for the Georgia Basin, On-Farm Planning involves methods such as grass management, field leveling, nutrient management, over winter cover crops, soil drainage, ditch maintenance, integrated pest management, and alternatives to livestock watering. Learn more (PDF, 391KB) about On-Farm Planning.

Livestock Watering Alternatives

Livestock are attracted to wetland and riparian areas for shade, water and succulent grasses. But uncontrolled access can lead to overgrazing, soil erosion, siltation and water contamination. Find practical ways to protect your water supply and wildlife habitat on farms and rangelands. For detailed information contact the DUC Kamloops office directly at 250-374-8307 and request information on Alternative Livestock Watering Facilities in BC. You can also reach our Kamloops office by using DUC’s Toll free number 1-800-665-3825.

Living by Water

Healthy shorelines can help filter contaminants from runoff, prevent erosion and provide wildlife habitat. From April 2003 to March 2005 DUC’s Pacific Region ran a successful program, called Living By Water, that helped waterfront homeowners conserve and restore the shoreline habitats on their land.

For more information about programs that assist agricultural producers contact the BC Agricultural Council.