With vast, open spaces and rich, productive farmlands, Canada's agricultural landscape is the envy of the world - in fact, more than 68 million hectares (or 170 million acres) of our land is under agricultural production.

What does this mean for Canada's wildlife?
Countryside Canada recognizes that farmers care about their land, and that given the choice, farmers will do what is right for wildlife and the habitat on which they depend for their survival. Often the difference between good stewardship and poor land-use management is simply an increase in awareness of the best management practices that allow both agriculture and wildlife to thrive and exist in harmony. This increased awareness is what Countryside Canada hopes to achieve.

Countryside Canada is a national program designed to strengthen conservation practices within the agricultural sector by recognizing and awarding the exemplary stewardship efforts of Canadian farmers and ranchers.

Why is this program needed?
Wildlife populations are in decline - mainly due to loss of the habitat on which they depend for their survival. About 300,000 farmers and ranchers make their living on more than 68 million hectares (170 million acres) of farmland across Canada. Stewardship programs that promote best management practices and the voluntary conservation efforts of farmers and ranchers, particularly on private farmland, has a great potential to improve wildlife habitat.

Find Out More
Consult the following links to find out more about the program:

• 2007 Award Recipients

• On-line Nomination Form (deadline November 30, 2007)

• 2005-2006 Award Presentations
• Seaforth, ON (Oct. 19, 2006)
• Ottawa, ON (May. 19, 2006)

• 2004-2005 Award Recipients!

• Official Program Website

• Goal, Objectives and Program Phases

• Program Partners

• Past Recipients

Or contact Mr. Lynn McIntyre, Director of Stewardship.