This is a milestone year for the Delta Farmland & Wildlife Trust as the organization celebrates its 25th anniversary.
During the course of a quarter-century, the trust has supported local farmers through the annual provision of more than 1,500 hectares (3,700 acres) of critical wildlife habitat for resident and migratory birds in the Fraser River delta.
Since its establishment in 1993, more than 38,000 hectares (96,000 acres) of farmland has been enhanced for wildlife habitat and/or improved for soil conservation through six stewardship programs. Of those 38,000 hectares, approximately 30,000 hectares have been planted to winter cover crops, 5,000 hectares have been enrolled in the grassland set-aside program, 3,150 hectares have been laser levelled and roughly eight kilometres of hedgerows have been established.
Including the grass margin and field liming stewardship programs, more than $8 million has been disbursed into the local farming community to support land stewardship and the viability of farming in a region that continues to face increasing challenges.
“None of this would have been possible without the support of our long-term partners,” said trust program manager Drew Bondar. “One funder in particular has been monumental in supporting DF&WT since the beginning. The Delta Agricultural Society has provided over $4 million in support. DF&WT would not be what it is today or have maintained its level of success over the past 25 years without the direct support of the Delta Agricultural Society.”
Other significant program funders (i.e. excluding barbecue fundraiser, Day at the Farm and research project contributions) include: the Government of Canada through Canadian Wildlife Service, Ducks Unlimited Canada, BC Waterfowl Society, City of Delta, Vancity, Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, Wildlife Habitat Canada and the City of Richmond. The trust has also been fortunate to receive funding over the years through numerous endowment funds as well as private donations.
“On behalf of the DF&WT, we are truly humbled and grateful for the support received from the local farming community and funders over the past 25 years,” said Bondar. “The hard work and commitment to land stewardship by the local farming community cannot be overstated. As the costs and challenges for farming in Delta only continue to rise, supporting our local farmers is more important than ever.
“Through maintaining a strong and vibrant agricultural community, we can better ensure the continued provision of critical habitat for the millions of birds that migrate and reside in the Fraser River delta every winter. We look forward to another 25 years.”
