Ducks Unlimited Canada-Alberta

Ducks and cows both need water and grass. 🦆❤️🐂

This Brooks, AB-area producer recently shared an image of a duck nest tucked into a forage stand he established three years ago with support from DUC’s forage incentive program. The quarter had its challenges, including rough ground and plenty of gopher activity, but the stand established well and now provides value to both livestock and wildlife.

Seeing ducks and other species make use of these acres is a bonus on top of the forage production -- and this producer plans to seed additional acres to grass this year.

It’s always great to see forage stands working hard for producers while creating habitat at the same time. 👏👏👏

What does resilience look like on prairie rangelands?

🌱It’s rich, healthy soils that grow forage crops even in a dry year.
💧It’s wetlands that store water when the rains do come.
💡And it’s producers making decisions every day that keep their land productive for the long haul.

From keeping wetlands on the landscape to retaining and restoring areas of tame grassland, small choices help build resilience into farm operations—while supporting habitat that benefits us all..

This is what climate action looks like on working lands. 🐝👍🦆💪🐂👏

Big things happen when conservation partners come together.

Ducks Unlimited Canada and Pheasants Forever Canada are renewing their commitment to protecting and enhancing prairie landscapes through the Marginal Areas Program.

This partnership has already helped:
🌾 Convert thousands of acres to perennial cover
💧 Retain wetlands and native uplands for the long term
🦃 Support upland game birds and countless other species

By doubling incentives for producers, we’re accelerating efforts to restore habitat, boost biodiversity, and improve soil and water health across southern Alberta.

Healthy land means a healthier future—for wildlife and people alike. Learn more about DUC’s Marginal Areas Program in Alberta including how to enroll: https://ag.ducks.ca/program/marginal-areas-ab/.

Calling all southern Alberta producers!

Thanks to a renewed partnership between Ducks Unlimited Canada and Pheasants Forever Canada pheasantsforever.ca, there’s never been a better time to turn marginal cropland into opportunity.

Through the Marginal Areas Program (MAP), producers receive:
✔️ $100/acre in incentives ($50 from DUC + $50 from PFC)
✔️ Expert forage establishment advice
✔️ Improved profitability on unproductive acres

Plus, you’ll be creating valuable habitat for species like pheasants, grey partridge, and sharp-tailed grouse—while supporting soil health, water quality, and carbon storage.

Let your land work smarter for you and the environment. Learn more about DUC’s Marginal Areas Program in Alberta including how to enroll: https://ag.ducks.ca/program/marginal-areas-ab/.

We’re proud to share some exciting news—our partnership with Pheasants Forever Canada (PFC) pheasantsforever.ca has been renewed!

This two-year agreement builds on a strong foundation, already seeing producers convert thousands of acres to perennial cover, while protecting wetlands and native uplands through long-term agreements.

Together, we’re continuing to support farmers across southern Alberta through Ducks Unlimited Canada’s Marginal Areas Program (MAP)—turning unproductive land into valuable habitat for wildlife, while improving farm profitability.

With PFC’s $50/acre top-up to DUC’s existing incentive, producers can now receive $100 per acre to seed perennial cover in marginal areas.

It’s a win for producers, wildlife, and the environment. 🌱🦆

Learn more about DUC’s Marginal Areas Program in Alberta including how to enroll: https://ag.ducks.ca/program/marginal-areas-ab/.

Whoa Nellie! Alberta Agrisystems Living Lab has a tonne of informative events coming up!

Next up evening of March 11, Pasture Pipelines. Providing water delivered through a shallow buried pasture pipeline is not a new innovation, but it is new to many operators. Pasture pipeline move water from one place to another and while the water source is often a well with line power (such as a home site), it can also be natural surface water, a stream, or dugout and can be moved via solar power or gravity in remote applications. This webinar will discuss pipeline advantages and different types and sizes of pipe that can be used for pasture pipelines and provide some practical tips for creating a successful pipeline water system.

Check out this and other upcoming events here:

Events — Alberta AgriSystems Living Lab Join Us to Learn more about AgriSystems Events.

🌱 Help your worst acres thrive, with DUC’s Marginal Areas Program.

“When you put the right seed in the right soil, there was life. We weren’t talking ankle-high plants anymore—we were seeing radishes and sunflowers taller than me.

The wildlife response was immediate. Elk, deer, birds—you could see that the land wasn’t just surviving anymore, it was thriving.” 🪺

~ Rose Valley area grain grower with 300 acres enrolled in MAP

Come work with us!

We’re looking for an experienced Agrologist to join our Regional Restoration Team! In this role, you’ll help deliver and enhance agriculture conservation programs across Alberta, working directly with producers to support sustainable forage, livestock, and grazing management.

📍 Location: Camrose, AB (remote may be considered)
💼 Salary: $67,100–$83,800 (35-hour work week)
📅 Apply by: March 15, 2026

What you’ll bring:
✔️ 5+ years of agricultural experience
✔️ BSc in Agriculture (or related field)
✔️ PAg designation (or eligible)
✔️ Strong background in livestock, forage & crop systems
✔️ A passion for conservation & sustainable agriculture

If you enjoy working with producers, leading extension initiatives, and making a real impact on the land, we’d love to hear from you!

More info and how to apply here: https://loom.ly/vdjuyUo

“When I started cutting acres that weren’t making money, the workload went down and the ROI went up. MAP is one of the best tools I’ve seen for improving ROI.”

~ Rose Valley area grain grower with 300+ acres enrolled in MAP

🐝🌾 The consensus is clear: protecting pollinator habitat pays.

Research across the Canadian Prairies shows that wild pollinators can boost yields and stability in annual crops like canola and pulses. Fields closer to natural or restored habitat often see better pollination, more consistent yields, and added resilience during cool, windy, or stressful growing conditions.

Even small patches of perennial cover increase pollinator abundance and diversity, strengthening pollination services right where crops need them. Beyond yield gains, habitat protection is increasingly viewed as a risk-management and climate-resilience strategy, helping buffer farms against pollinator declines and weather variability.

🌱 Bottom line: Pollinator habitat isn’t just a bunch of pretty flowers—it’s a practical, cost-effective tool that supports productivity and profitability on the Prairies.

👉 Curious how pollinator habitat could fit into your operation? DUC's Marginal Areas Program is a proven strategy that works for working lands.