WINNIPEG — A British Columbia ranching family has been named the 2015 national environmental stewardship award winners.
Darrell and Doris Squair, owners of Squaw Valley Ranch at Lumby, B.C., received the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association award Aug. 12 in Winnipegduring the organization’s semi-annual meeting.
The ranch has about 500 cows and is in a valley that covers 2,800 acres of deeded land, 700 acres of leased land and thousands of acres of crown range. It was among the first in the region to complete an environmental farm plan and more recently, two of their satellite properties, Rawlings Lake Property and Shuswap River Property, completed environmental farm plans to expand wildlife diversity.
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A main feature of the ranch is the decision to co-exist with wildlife that includes grizzly bears. The family has a no-hunting policy on private land.
Water management is also crucial.
Shuswap River Property undertook a major bank stabilization and channel enhancement on the land, which opened more area for grazing and cropping. The project included fencing off riparian areas to provide better quality water for livestock, irrigation and a hydroelectric power project for the ranch.
Contact barbara.duckworth@producer.com
