Delta Makes Positive Strides Towards SWIP in Alberta

Delta’s Shallow Wetlands Incentive Program (SWIP) works with farmers to conserve small and shallow wetlands imbedded in cropped fields, which are most critical to breeding ducks  

Delta Waterfowl has made a budget submission of $12 million to the government of Alberta for a ‘phase one’ SWIP initiative that will conserve 4,000 acres of vulnerable shallow wetlands in croplands. Based on data from the Canadian Wildlife Service, it is estimated that 0.88% of these wetlands are lost annually. Extrapolated over 50 years, this means that 37% of these wetlands will disappear in that time frame—greatly diminishing the carrying capacity that these wetlands provide for ducks settling on the breeding grounds each spring.

“Delta’s goal for SWIP is to conserve 90% of ephemeral, temporary, and seasonal wetlands in Alberta,” said Jim Fisher, Delta’s vice president of Canadian policy. “Delta’s policy team has met with numerous agricultural and environmental groups, government staff, and elected officials to promote SWIP, and we’re well positioned as the government of Alberta considers its 2025 budget and a new Ecosystem Services program.”

SWIP builds on Delta’s successful model of wetland conservation adopted by Manitoba in 2018 as part of the province’s GRowing Outcomes for Watersheds, AKA the GROW Program. By 2024, over $7 million in grant funds have been allocated to the Manitoba SWIP program, and it is now on track to conserve 9,925 acres of shallow wetlands. This is supported by a $50 million investment into a trust that churns out around $2.5 million annually.

“Importantly, Delta also engaged much of the organization’s Alberta membership to take action to promote SWIP with their MLAs via Delta’s Duck Hunters Action Alert System,” said Fisher. “Decisions regarding Alberta’s government budget will be solidified in spring 2025, and if the $12 million request is approved, the funding will move into an endowment to maintain the program for the foreseeable future and will greatly benefit both ducks and duck hunters.”

You can learn more about Delta’s current SWIP success in Manitoba here.