Agricultural Land Stewardship

Delta's abundant and fertile agricultural resources not only contribute to the economic and social benefits of farming, but also play a very important role for wildlife, particularly for migratory birds in terms of providing habitat along the Pacific Flyway. Acting as an imaginary highway, the Pacific Flyway travels north-south extending from Alaska to Patagonia. Delta is a key rest stop along the flyway for migratory birds and the agricultural lands found here provides them a rich food source. 

The Agricultural Land Stewardship policies in the Official Community Plan (OCP) protect agricultural land in the following ways:

• Encourage cooperative decision making for agricultural-environmental issues.
  
• Encourage initiatives, including best management practices, that support both farming and wildlife, protect against soil erosion and degradation, and maintain water quality and hydrological functions on agricultural land.
  
• Support and, if appropriate, participate in studies to determine the impacts of greenhouses and other agricultural and non-agricultural development on the Pacific Flyway, and study the impacts of waterfowl on agricultural lands.
  
• Recognize and protect environmentally significant areas of farmland, including hedgerows, stands of trees, old fields, watercourses and other sensitive areas.
  
• Continue to support programs that mitigate and compensate for crop damage from migratory birds and on-farm stewardship activities such as set-asides and hedgerows.
  
• Minimize the negative impacts on farming and wildlife habitat when new agri-tourism, transportation and utility corridors, regional recreational opportunities and other economic initiatives are being developed.
  
• Encourage farmers to prepare Best Management Practice Plans and Environmental Farm Plans.
  
• Encourage other levels of government and non-government agencies to implement habitat initiatives on agricultural land in cooperation with farmers.

Delta Farmland & Wildlife Trust operates in Delta and their mission is to promote the preservation of farmland and associated wildlife habitat on the Fraser River Delta through sustainable farming and land stewardship. The Trust was created in 1993 by local farmers and conservationists with an interest in conserving agricultural and wildlife resources.

For more information on the DF&WT you can visit: www.deltafarmland.ca

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