Rocky View County welcomed The Honourable Nathalie Provost, Secretary of State (Nature), on July 9 for a field tour highlighting local conservation and natural infrastructure projects delivered through the Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS) program.
Hosted by ALUS Canada, the tour brought together representatives from Environment and Climate Change Canada, the Secretary of State's office and the ALUS Canada leadership team to learn more about how partnerships with agricultural producers are supporting biodiversity, healthy ecosystems and resilient landscapes.
The tour took place at Twin Lakes Ranch, home of the Ralston-Norregaard family. The family, recipients of Rocky View County's 2025 Master Farm Family Award, was also recently recognized as one of the Calgary Stampede's 2026 BMO Farm Family Award recipients. Together, the awards recognize the family's outstanding contributions to agriculture, environmental stewardship, innovation and community service - +qualities that were on display throughout the ALUS site tour.
Delegates explored several ALUS projects at the ranch that demonstrate how working agricultural lands can also provide valuable environmental benefits. Twin Lakes Ranch provided an ideal setting to showcase how voluntary stewardship practices can enhance biodiversity and ecosystem health while supporting productive agricultural operations.
Rocky View County has partnered with ALUS to encourage voluntary stewardship projects that enhance wetlands, grasslands, and wildlife habitat on privately owned land. Through collaboration with local landowners, the program helps improve ecosystem health while maintaining productive agricultural operations.
Councillor Greg Boehlke attended the site tour on behalf of Rocky View County, highlighting the County's ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship and collaborative conservation initiatives.
"Rocky View County is proud to work alongside our agricultural community and partners like ALUS Canada to support projects that benefit both the environment and local producers," said Councillor Greg Boehlke. "The Ralston-Norregaard family exemplifies the innovation and stewardship that make agriculture in our region so strong. Seeing their leadership recognized both through our Master Farm Family Award and the Calgary Stampede's BMO Farm Family Awards is a testament to the positive impact local producers are having on our communities and our environment."
The visit provided an opportunity to showcase how Rocky View County's ALUS program is contributing to local and regional conservation goals while demonstrating the important role municipalities, conservation organizations and landowners play in protecting Alberta's natural landscapes for future generations.