Many Alberta landowners and farmers have traditionally done some agroforestry and forestry practices. This will include woodlot management, shelterbelts and windbreaks, and fast growing plantations .

The Woodlot Extension Program for Alberta defines woodlots as a tract of land of any size and shape that contain areas of trees either naturally occurring or planted. Woodlots play a very important role in the Alberta agricultural landscape of which they are an integral part.

Windbreaks are the most extensive agroforestry practice in Alberta (photo courtesy T. Bozic).

Today in the Alberta agricultural zone, over 1.5 million hectares are woodlots, accounting for 4 % of the total forest land base in Alberta . Size of the woodlots varies from o­ne to a thousand acres with the average size between 60 and 100 acres. Some estimates also shows that between 10 to 20% of the timber supply in Alberta comes from privately own land. Even though a significant amount of timber comes from woodlots in the province, most of them are not managed in a sustainable manner. Many landowners view harvesting of their woodlots as a o­ne-time source of income.

Environmental and social values are even more significant. Many landowners value their woodlots for providing wildlife habitat, protecting wetlands, creeks and rivers as well as protecting soil from water or wind erosion. Also, many landowners are interested in the potential for carbon credits from their woodlots.

Woodlot Program

The Woodlot Extension Program of Alberta is a partnership between government, conservation organizations and forest industry. This partnership reflects the full range of values held by those with an interest in woodlots: environmental, social and economic.

The Program addresses sustainable woodlot management o­n a larger basis than individual landholdings, with full cooperation and involvement of landowners, municipalities and counties. The Program is an opportunity for landowners to receive assistance in developing these plans. The Program can provide:

• Education for landowners about woodlot and agroforestry
• Technical information o­n woodlot management
• Assistance and help to develop woodlot management plans by landowners
• Resource information
• Contact between government, forest companies and conservation organizations
• Workshops and seminars
• Tours and field days

Shelterbelts and windbreaks

Shelterbelts and windbreaks are the longest-used agroforestry practices in Alberta . For over 70 years farmers in Alberta have planted shelterbelts and windbreaks o­n their farms. Shelterbelts around Alberta farms houses reduce heating cost, reduce snow blowing, protect livestock, house and garden and trap snow for dugouts. Field windbreaks provide many benefits such as increase moisture, reducing evapotranspiration, providing wildlife habitat and sequestering carbon. Currently, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada provide trees, plastic mulch, and equipment free of charge as well as technical assistance to farmers. Approximately 1.4 million trees and shrubs are planted every year in Alberta .

Poplar Plantations

In recent years, forest industry has worked with farmers to establish forests o­n farms. Forest companies lease farm land and establish mostly poplar plantations. The land lease contract provides landowners with an opportunity to diversify farm income as well as create environmental benefits to farm. Many landowners are looking this option.

Alberta Landowners Profile

When working with farmers and landowners to whom agroforestry and woodlot management is new concept, it is very critical to recognize the producer's level of knowledge, their reasons for adopting agroforestry practices, and their needs.

The value of forest to the landowner is variable for each of them. Some of them are just looking for an economic benefit while others look for environmental values. For many landowners all three component of sustainability are equally important.

Where woodlot owners live (farm, small town and large cities) also has an influence o­n their goals and objectives. Based o­n my experience and probably many of yours here in North America , there are generally three groups of landowners based o­n the value of forest to them and where they live:

• Full time farmers - most of them are also woodlot owners as well. Most of them understand the environmental value of the trees but their primary goals are economical benefits from forested land. Due to the difficult time farmers are facing (high input costs, market fluctuations, etc.), they see forests as potential income and as an innovative alternative to traditional crops. They understand and appreciate the environmental values (especially water quality and wildlife) of the forest, but unless these values can provide an income, they don't put them at the top of their priorities.
• Part time farmers or absentee farmers - most of these people still farm o­n a part time basis or lease their farm land while they live o­n the farm or in small nearby towns. Their goals are relatively split between environmental and economic values of forestland. They have more flexibility full-time farmers because they have a steady income and farming is just a part time job/income for them. The majority of these landowners are still looking for potential income which will not compromise environmental values of forest.
• Landowners that live in large cities - these people either inherited land from their parents or bought it for their own pleasure. They are aware of the economic potential from forest land, but the environmental/recreational values are the most important to them. They also see woodlot from an investment point of view or most likely for personal pleasure.

All three groups are equally important for professionals that are working in agroforestry or woodlots and these differences have to be recognized to provide better services for different landowners needs.

For more information please visit the Woodlot Extension Program web site atwww1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/apa3312?opendocument, or contact Toso Bozic, Sustainable Woodlot Specialist, Alberta Agriculture Food and Rural Development, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

By Toso Bozic
Alberta Agriculture Food and Rural Development, Edmonton, AB