Eco-Buffer Shelterbelts
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Benefits:
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Characteristics:
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Description of Eco-Buffer Shelterbelts:
Eco-Buffers are a dense planting of a diverse mix of native species that are designed to mimic a natural forest habitat. The natural habitat is mimicked through a mix of fast growing trees, long lived trees, and tall and short shrubs. The diversity of the natural species allows for an eco-buffer shelterbelt to sustain it self long term with minimal ongoing maintenance once established. Eco-Buffer shelterbelts can provide an array of environmental benefits including reduced soil erosion, enhanced soil collection for moisture retention, increased biodiversity, wildlife habitat, protection for livestock in both cold and warm months, and more.
Since the spring of 2024, EIWD has assisted in planting nearly 85,000 trees across the district, mainly though the 2 Billion Trees Program. 2 Billion Trees is a federal program that aims to motivate and support new tree plantings to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and provide a multitude of environmental benefits.
Eco-Buffers are a dense planting of a diverse mix of native species that are designed to mimic a natural forest habitat. The natural habitat is mimicked through a mix of fast growing trees, long lived trees, and tall and short shrubs. The diversity of the natural species allows for an eco-buffer shelterbelt to sustain it self long term with minimal ongoing maintenance once established. Eco-Buffer shelterbelts can provide an array of environmental benefits including reduced soil erosion, enhanced soil collection for moisture retention, increased biodiversity, wildlife habitat, protection for livestock in both cold and warm months, and more.
Since the spring of 2024, EIWD has assisted in planting nearly 85,000 trees across the district, mainly though the 2 Billion Trees Program. 2 Billion Trees is a federal program that aims to motivate and support new tree plantings to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and provide a multitude of environmental benefits.
Project Highlights
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Stoney Acre Farms
Willow Creek Subdistrict In the spring season of 2024 and 2025, Stoney Acre Farms planted an eco-buffer shelterbelt spanning approximately 3 acres. The main goal for them was to create a buffer between their strawberry patch and the adjacent road. In 2024, two small areas were planted totaling approximately 750 tree seedlings. In the following spring, 2025, the majority of the project took place, with another 4,500 tree seedlings being planted. Staff from the East Interlake Watershed District, along with a couple volunteers, planted and mulched this project in about a day and a half. SAF chose to do a three row design in certain areas, and a 5 row design in others, both providing a multitude of benefits. As well, certain sections were mulched with plastic rolls, and some were mulched with straw.
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Luckystone Acres
Willow Creek Sub-District In the spring of 2024, Luckystone Acres planted a 2000 seedling, eco-buffer shelterbelt, spanning over one acre. The shelterbelt was planted between hay land and pastured land. The main goal for Luckystone Acres was to create a windbreak for their rotational grazing site for their sheep. Other goals included, increasing biodiversity, increasing habitat for native animals and insects, and to increase drought resiliency. This project was a 5 row planting that was planted and mulched completely by hand due to the extremely wet weather conditions in 2024. At Luckystone Acres they believe that the land supports them, so they have to support the land.
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More highlights to come!
