The Agricultural Service Board helps get trees growing in the rural community for shelter around yards, in the fields and for wildlife habitat. 

Did you know that one tree can remove as much as 26 pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere annually, equaling 17,000 km of car emissions?  One study shows an acre of trees has the ability to remove 13 tons of particles and gas annually.

  Check out more about agriculture and agroforestry impacts on greenhouse gases at Alberta Agriculture's website.

Shelterbelt Tree Distribution Program

Each year, residents of Cypress County and area order trees from either the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (PFRA) Indian Head Tree Nursery or Alberta Nurseries.  Order forms are available starting June 1 from the County office, PFRA offices or Alberta Nurseries in Bowden.  Over 25 species of bare root seeding trees are available for field shelterbelts, wildlife habitat, farmyards, acreages and urban residences. 

 The trees are delivered to the Cypress County shop in Dunmore, usually during the first week of May.  A distribution and handling charge of $5 to $30 will be payable at that time.  Tree planters and a plastic mulch applicator are available at no charge, mainly for larger orders.

Information on species selection, shelterbelt planning, tree spacing, tree diseases, etc is available at the above websites or from Alberta Agriculture & Food.

Field Shelterbelt Establishment Program

This Agricultural Service Board Program is designed to assist landowners establish field shelterbelts, so that the trees will help prevent soil erosion, manage snow, create wildlife habitat and improve air quality.  In summary, County staff plant the trees in spring, water at the time of planting, weed the shelterbelt for two years, replace dead trees, and guarantee an established shelterbelt by the spring of the third year.  Cost of this program is $900/mile (minimum 1/2 mile) of which $600 may be paid by Chinook Pheasants Forever if the shelterbelt fits criteria for wildlife habitat (basically, a double row with at least one species food bearing).  This program started in 1991 and 158 km (98 miles) of shelterbelt have been planted to date.  The approximate location of planting sites across the County can be viewed on the attached map (1.3 mb pdf).

Details are on the attached application form (pdf).