Annual General Meeting 2010
The Annual General Meeting of SALTS will be held on April 19, 2010 at the M.D. of Ranchland Hall. Members and interested guests are invited.
Read more here.
[September 13, 2008]
Today, the OH Ranch hosted a press conference and celebration to commemorate the 125 anniversary of the OH Ranch, formally announce the signing of the order in Council for the OH Ranch Heritage Rangeland, and also to announce their intention to place conservation easements on the entire property.
As part of this, a conservation easement on the OH Pekisko Ranch, a few Km south of Longview, will be donated to SALTS. This initiative by the Seaman family is an important step in recognizing the importance of protecting the foothills watershed, rangeland, and the historical and cultural values of the ranching community. Read the SALTS' press release for more information.
You can read the government press release, as well as the backgrounder.
[September 2, 2008]
On August 27, the Order in Council for the Heritage Rangeland designation related to the OH Ranch was approved. It is now known as the OH Ranch Heritage Rangeland. You can read more at the Alberta Parks website, or read the specific Order in Council. This is very good news and establishes a serious precedent for protecting our foothills rangeland and watersheds.
[August 21, 2008]
SALTS has been working with the Manning Centre to investigate market-based conservation (MBC) ideas. The Foothills Project is a proposal to use a market-based incentive program built around conservation easements. It has the potential in future to attract a different clientele to the conservation easement idea. To learn more visit the website at www.salts-landtrust.org/mbc
[August 1, 2008]
A cooperative research project is exploring key linkages between climate change, grazing, carbon storage and primary production in Canadian Rangelands. It is a great source of information. You can access their website here.
[July 16, 2008]
What happens when the taps go dry in the city? A film that explores this question was filming in and near Calgary this week. Produced for SALTS by Bruce Whitaker and directed by Jaro Malanowski, it will be completed and ready for release later this year. Dexter, a young web designer and photographer finds himself torn between his enjoyment of the city life and his loyalty to the country ranching culture, and the two ladies, Jenn and Matti, who each represent one of these lifestyles. STONEWATER poses questions in an edgy and entertaining way about why we are not protecting our watersheds. You can read the press release here.
[June 23, 2008]
The Alberta Government has been gathering responses to the draft Land-use Framework through written submissions, an online survey, and stakeholder meetings. The big question in many people's minds is about where it goes from here in terms of details and implementation. SALTS has prepared a set of comments on the LUF which may be downloaded here. [pdf 49 Kb]
[May 29, 2008]
The Government of Alberta's Ministry of Tourism, Parks, and Recreation, is proposing to establish a new protected area tentatively called "Longview-Pekisko Heritage Rangeland". The proposed heritage rangeland is located on public land leased by the OH Ranch near the Village of Longview in southern Alberta. This proposal celebrates and continues a legacy of range management that is over a century old. It also contributes to the goals of the provincial government's draft Land-Use Framework.
Between May 31 and July 29, 2008, Albertans are encouraged to provide their input on the proposal, and can do so in a number of ways. The feedback received will help determine the Government of Alberta's decision to establish the heritage rangeland through the formal Order in Council process. Two public information sessions will be held in July to allow for public comment and to share information on this proposed establishment of a heritage rangeland. You can access the Parks website here for more information about how to provide your input.
This announcement is good news for protecting native grassland. SALTS would like to strongly encourage the reader to provide feedback to the Alberta Government supporting this Heritage Rangeland proposal. Thanks in advance for your interest and support.
[May 23, 2008]
The long-awaited planning document, the Land Use Framework (LUF) from the Alberta Government has been released. In it, Section 8, Conservation and Stewardship, is very encouraging as it recognizes the value of Ecological Goods and Services (EGS), and the role that land trusts and conservation easements can play in protecting landscapes that provide EGS. The draft LUF document states:
"Clean water and air, healthy habitat and riparian areas, abundant wild species and fisheries are all 'public goods' that Albertans enjoy and value. The costs of supplying these goods on private lands are left largely on the shoulders - and pocketbooks - of ranchers and farmers."
This section of the draft document also speaks about 'sustainable funding mechanisms', although it is not clear whether this refers to the funding of programs, or simply to funding the evaluation of the effectiveness of programs and practices.
The LUF document recognizes the importance of good stewardship on private land and opens the door to some new land-use planning tools. These new tools include Transferable Development Credits (TDC) and Land Conservation Offsets (LCO). The value of Land Trusts and Conservation Easements in protecting important landscapes is also explicitly recognized. This is good news for the land trust community.
Another interesting point made in the document is the Government's openness to examining various market-based instruments to achieve the goal of good landscape planning. This fits perfectly with our current investigation into Market-Based Conservation (MBC) which is a joint venture between the Manning Centre for Building Democracy and SALTS.
All in all, the LUF document says many good things and points the way to some potentially good programs and directions. SALTS looks forward to working with the Government of Alberta to make good Conservation and Stewardship a reality. You can download a copy of the draft Land-Use Framework document here. [pdf: 1.5 Mb]
We encourage people to visit the website, read the LUF draft document, and provide your comments as directed on the website. Please note that the deadline for comment submission is June 20, 2008.
[April 30, 2008]
The 2008 SALTS Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held at Chain Lakes. After a fine lunch, Craig Smith welcomed members and chaired the meeting. Reports on the past year's activities and financial status were presented by the President, Craig Smith, the treasurer, David Shaw, and the executive director, Alan Gardner. Two new directors were elected to the Board: Kelly Hall and Mike Robinson. SALTS has a full slate of activities planned for the coming year which will undoubtedly be both a challenge and a success for the Board and staff.
[March 31, 2008]
The Alberta Land Trust Alliance (www.landtrusts-alberta.ca) held a very successful workshop for members on March 27 and 28 in Nisku, Alberta. Under the management of Laurel Murphy, the ALTA is poised to become a strong voice for land trusts and conservation in Alberta. ALTA was formally incorporated this month. Watch the ALTA website for the unveiling of their new logo.
[March 1, 2008]
SALTS is working on a new video which will be a companion to the Pekisko Rangeland video. This new 22 minute production will focus on the importance of the foothills and Eastern Slopes as a watershed. It is aimed at the young urban audience. The screenplay is under development and filming will occur this summer. Look for it in the fall of 2008.
[January 10, 2008]
The SALTS Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held this year on April 30, 2008, at the MD of Ranchland administration building, at Chain Lakes. All members, or people who are interested in membership, are encouraged to attend. Please RSVP by email.
[December 31, 2007]
The Board of SALTS would like to wish people a very happy and prosperous New Year, and to extend a thanks to all the people who supported SALTS during 2007 through donations of money as well as their valuable time. It is your support and energy that keeps SALTS going. Thank you!
[December 5, 2007]
SALTS in cooperation with Action for Agriculture and the Foothills Land Trust held a Landowner Seminar on conservation easements at the Memorial Centre in High River. More than 125 people attended the all-day seminar to learn about the conceptual, legal and financial aspects of easements, as well as to learn about the threat of invasive alien plants. We would like to extend our thanks to the speakers and volunteers who kindly donated their time to help, and share their knowledge with us. To learn more click here.
[October 23, 2007]
The Manning Centre and SALTS are cooperating on an initiative to promote market-oriented approaches to environmental conservation. A group of people gathered on October 23, 2007, at the Palliser Hotel in Calgary to discuss the challenge, the gaps in knowledge, and the need for research. The excellent discussion produced a number of ideas which will be used to develop concepts for one or more pilot research projects. A meeting in the spring will further investigate and develop these ideas.
[October 1, 2007]
SALTS in cooperation with Action for Agriculture, the Foothills Land Trust, and other organizations are holding a Conservation Easement seminar in High River on December 5, 2007. Come and learn about how this tool can help the landowner with succession and estate planning, and why it is a good method of protecting our landscapes and watershed. This is a full-day information-packed seminar aimed at landowners. Lunch is provided and there is a registration fee of $20. Registration by November 30th required.
Click here for more information and seminar registration.
[August 18, 2007]
SALTS held an Appreciation BBQ for its easement donors, supporters, friends and their families at the MD of Ranchland Building at Chain Lakes. The weather was wonderfully warm and sunny. Everyone had a great time. People visited with old friends and made a few new ones. A few played horseshoes on the lawn. President Craig Smith presented past president Francis Gardner with a 3/4-length jacket embroidered with the SALTS logo. The BBQ of sliced beef with salad and beans was terrific. Thanks again to all our easements donors, supporters and friends.
[July 30, 2007]
The Alberta Land Trust Alliance (ALTA) has a new manager. Laurel Murphy has a BSc (Geography), and a MSc (Earth and Atmospheric Sciences) from the University of Alberta. In the past she has run her own consulting company and worked for the Nature Conservancy of Canada. Most recently she worked for Alberta Tourism, Parks, Recreation and Culture.
Laurel will be working out of Edmonton to get the fledgling ALTA off the ground. She has a passion for the Alberta natural landscapes and will be a terrific asset. Congratulations Laurel, and welcome. And thanks to Guy Greenaway, Avelyn Nicol, and Alberta Environment for getting things rolling.
[July 16, 2007]
The report for the Southern Foothills Study, Phases 1 and 2, is available in paper booklet and as a download. It is titled "The Changing Landscape of the Southern Alberta Foothills." Details on the SFS Website.
[July 11, 2007]
The very successful weed bus tour took two busloads of people into the Crowsnest Pass to view and discuss serious weed infestations. (Read report here) Almost 80 participants were lectured on the threats to the ecosystem from invasive alien plant species. The tour was organized by a committee of SALTS and the Municipal Districts of Willow Creek, Pincher Creek and Ranchland. Lectures included weed descriptions, threats, control methods including biological control on Leafy Spurge, and ongoing programs..
The weed day completed with an excellent BBQ at Heritage Acres near Pincher Creek. Alberta Parks had a display and information at the BBQ. Media attending the event included Farm TV and the Lethbridge Herald. All participants received a handout including information on weeds and control, and a weed identification booklet. Thanks to all the participants and organizers for a great (although hot) day! You can view the SALTS webpage on weeds here.
[May 2, 2007]
President Craig Smith presented Norm Simmons with a special jacket embroidered with the SALTS logo. The jacket was presented to Norm in recognition of the fourth conservation easement on his property west of Pincher Creek. Norm and his wife, Hilah, were one of the charter members of SALTS.
[April 23, 2007]
The Southern Foothills Study (SFS) was chosen as a finalist for an Emerald Award. The Emerald Award is a prestigious recognition for environmental excellence. While the initiative didn't win the award, it was an honour simply to be chosen as a finalist. View the SFS Website here.
[March 30, 2007]
The Alberta Landa Trust Alliance (ALTA) is meeting at the end of May, 2007, to formally organize. We are looking forward to having a provincial body to represent the interests of land trusts.
[March 30, 2007]
The Southern Foothills Study is entering Phase 3, or the 'Best Management Practice" phase. The last meeting on March 28th was attended by Hon. Ted Morton. It featured presentations by A.D.M. Morris Seiferling on the Land Use Framework and Ian Dyson from Alberta Environment.
[March 27, 2007]
Environment Canada has provided SALTS with funding for a program of invasive alien plant species (weed) education and prevention. These invasive plants are a serious threat to the native fescue grassland. We will be running the program over the summer 2007. Call the office if you'd like to participate. Also check out our new website section here.
[December, 8, 2007]
The Alberta Land Trust Alliance is off the starting blocks. On November 22nd Guy Boutilier announced a three-year funding commitment from Alberta Environment. The steering committee headed by Guy Greenaway is in the process of creating an initial organization. We are looking forward to working with the new Environment Minister and his staff on this important project.
The public meetings to show the results of the Southern Foothills Study wrapped up with a great meeting at High River on November 16th. Over 150 people packed the banquet hall at the Memorial Centre. Discussion after the presentation was lively. We will be posting the results on the SFS website as they are available. Visit the website later to see what's next.
Representatives of Land Trusts from all over Alberta met on October 18-19 near Sherwood Park to discuss the forming of an Alberta Land Trust Alliance. A steering committee was formed chaired by Guy Greenaway of the Miistakis Institute to put a preliminary plan forward. Guy Boutilier, the Minister of the Environment, will reportedly be making an announcement on November 22nd.
On July 18, 2006, Alberta Environment sponsored a Land Trust Leadership Advisory Committee meeting in Calgary. Alberta Environment was looking for recommendations on how to promote conservation easements as an environmental protection tool, and to how to support existing land trusts. The key recommendation from the meeting was to provide financial support to create an Alberta Land Trust Alliance organization.
Jim Smith of the Mancroft Group attended a meeting in Newfoundland where a new Canadian Land Trust Alliance (CLTA) was inaugurated. You can read their press release here.
The new federal budget (May 2006) has a provision to reduce the capital gains to zero on property qualifying as an ecological gift. This measure has long been sought by organizations promoting conservation easements. Click here for the text from the budget.
The Board and Staff of SALTS wishes to thank all those people who made contributions to the work of SALTS in the name of Ken Stiles for maintaining the integrity of the Eastern Slopes. Ken was a great friend of SALTS and the ranching community, and he will be fondly remembered.
There is a Video on the Pekisko Rangeland available to view over the web. It is 16 minutes long and available in broadband or dial-up mode. Click here to view it.
The SALTS office is located at the MD of Ranchland office at the south end of Chain Lakes. This locates SALTS closer to its geographical center of interest in a location with a spectacular setting. The building is also very well suited to meetings and seminars. Our thanks to the MD of Ranchland for allowing us to rent this space.
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