World Wetland’s Day is on February 2nd and Kristine Tapley addresses the role of wetlands and beef producers in creating resilient agricultural landscapes.
Kristine Tapley is a Manitoba beef producer, and Ducks Unlimited Canada’s agricultural sustainability lead. She describes natural areas and habitats, such as wetlands and grasslands, as solutions to climate change.
“There is a growing need to consider habitats, such as wetlands and grasslands, as on-farm assets that provide economic benefits, as well as support the resiliency of our agricultural landscapes,” says Tapley.
Canadians, especially farmers, have felt the first-hand effects of climate change more than ever - scorching temperatures, droughts, wildfires, and floods have claimed homes, and livelihoods while impacting environments.
However, wetlands are a powerful defense system, sequestering carbon and filter water, supporting pollinators and biodiversity, and providing habitat for countless wildlife, including many species at risk.
Did you know that more than 25% of the world’s remaining wetlands are found in Canada? Wetlands are a true national treasure that protects Canadians against an ever-changing climate, drought, and floods.
Beef farmers and ranchers safeguard some of Canada’s most important, diverse, and threatened habitats, including wetlands.
Raising cattle helps preserve wetland ecosystems and in certain parts of Canada, wetlands and riparian areas benefit from neighbouring cattle-dotted grasslands or pasture. Under proper management, cattle co-exist and provide environmental co-benefits to ecosystems such as wetlands.
Beef producers protect these areas and preserve habitat through strategic fencing, solar powered water troughs and managing cattle movement at certain times of the year. Not only is this crucial to the health and vitality of farmers and ranchers’ land and animals, but it is also linked to the sustainability of their business.
“We must farm the best and conserve the rest,” states Tapley. “We are fortunate that in Canada, certain landscapes allow for the overlapping uses of growing food and conservation, but now is the time to recognize these areas for their invaluable worth and ensure they continue supporting the resiliency of our landscapes long into the future.”