Alaksen National Wildlife Area Transition to Organic Farming – Research, Trials, and Planning

Background

The ecological management plan at the Alaksen National Wildlife Area (ANWA) is unique and as such, it provides a diverse set of challenges for successful and ecologically-sound agricultural production within the wildlife area. ANWA is one of a few wildlife reserves in North America that utilize agricultural production to provide habitat. This site however, is a particularly challenging location for agricultural production given the climate, soils, and drainage. ANWA farmers are now being asked to eliminate the use of conventional pesticides and other deleterious practices (i.e. utilize organic-regenerative methods), which introduces additional complexities/challenges for farming at this site. Resident farmers are hesitant to adopt organic-regenerative farming methods due to concerns of viability (i.e., economic and methodological). This indicates a clear need to provide ANWA managers and farmers scientific guidance on how best to address the challenges of farming ANWA lands using organic-regenerative methods in ways that also support the wildlife habitat provision objectives of the wildlife area. Over the last four farming seasons agricultural scientists have evaluated the particular conditions and challenges impacting crop production at ANWA, as well as the crop rotation. They have conducted small-plot level studies to determine the feasibility of utilizing organic-regenerative farming methods. ANWA farmers have been apprised of the results, they are increasingly receptive, and their reticence is softening. However, the challenge remains to demonstrate organic-regenerative production at the farming system-level, including comparing it to (currently employed) conventional methods. To do so requires a whole field study over multiple growing seasons (minimally three, optimally five, given the ANWA rotation scheme). This Contract delineates research approaches to address full agriculture systems comparison research and the issues and questions facing ANWA agriculture. This Contract will build and expand on the previous knowledge base we have established which will guide the transition to organic-regenerative farming and the ANWA Wildlife Area agriculture management plan. Background information generated via research over the last four years provides an understanding of the overall management goals and conventional approaches in ANWA, the challenges farmers face, the unique environmental conditions, and the potential efficacy of organic-regenerative agriculture production methods at ANWA. Previous works completed includes an in-depth baseline assessment to better understand the relationship between farming activities and wildlife habitat provision within ANWA, and potential options to improve farming and ecological outcomes. This included an extensive literature review, interviews with farmers, and a preliminary analysis of bird survey data collected by Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS). A number of challenges to agriculture were identified in this report including: the limited production season, poor soil drainage, the impact of hedgerows on ditch maintenance and microclimates and the impact of birds on cover-crops and grass forages. Following the baseline assessment, a wide-ranging suite of projects to address ANWA farming challenges in more detail was conducted. These projects include data analysis of bird and crop interactions; baseline data of micro-climatic conditions in production fields of ANWA compared to nearby fields; identification of long-term drainage solutions; development of a drainage plan that accounts for potential changes in water table, precipitation, and salt wedge; evaluation of the current status of soil workability, water holding capacity and salinity across the agricultural fields; evaluation of organic insect management and weed management alternatives; development and evaluation of alternative organic fertility regimes; investigation of alternative crops and their market potential, and an evaluation of alternative cover cropping approaches. All of these projects have addressed component pieces of an agricultural system preparing for the necessary research to address full production system comparisons. Building off the significant effort that has gone into the understanding of the agroecological production challenges we have developed a research plan to undertake a systems approach to guide a transition to a more productive and ecologically based agriculture system that meets the goals of both ANWA’s managers and farmers.

Objectives

To provide the CWS and the ANWA farmers with an analysis of options for agricultural management within the reserve that fosters an effective and efficient transition to methods best aligned with CWS management objectives and mandate.

Work Location

Alaksen NWA is located at 5421 Robertson Road in Delta, BC.; V4K 3N2.

Term of Contract

Period of the Contract

The period of the Contract is from date of Contract to March 31, 2025 inclusive.

Option to Extend the Contract

The Contractor grants to Canada the irrevocable option to extend the term of the Contract by up to three (3) additional one (1)-year periods under the same conditions. The Contractor agrees that, during the extended period of the Contract, it will be paid in accordance with the applicable provisions as set out in the Basis of Payment.

Canada may exercise this option at any time by sending a written notice to the Contractor at least fifteen (15) calendar days before the expiry date of the Contract. The option may only be exercised by the Contracting Authority, and will be evidenced for administrative purposes only, through a contract amendment.