List of Upcoming Events and Products

• Mountain View BearSmart Workshop - Livestock Carcass Composting and Electric Fencing. For more details and information to register, visit www.clearwatercounty.ca/wildlife.
• Verbenone Repellent Pouch – to deter Mountain Pine Beetle attack. Limited supply of pouches are available and sold in packages of 10 at a cost of $60.00+GST.
• Weed Workshops: Save the dates! May 25th at Dovercourt Hall from 5:00-7:30.  June 1st at the Leslieville Hall from 5:00-7:30.  Supper will be provided on both evenings. Please call the Ag office to register. 403-846-4040.
• Conifer Tree Seedling Program 2022:  One year old white spruce and lodgepole pine seedlings are available for purchase/ planting in Clearwater County. Seedlings are expected to arrive mid-July ready to plant. Application forms available for download here, in person at the Agriculture and Community Services office or by emailing landcare@clearwatercounty.ca  Order deadline is June 17, 2022.
• Hemp Fiber Mats for purchase. Weeds rob tree seedlings of moisture, nutrients and sunlight therefore new plantings may benefit from this form of vegetation management. Available in 12- or 18-inch squares for $0.57 and $1.42, respectively (+GST). Place an order with your 2022 seedling order or separately.
• Caring for My Land funding Program: The Caring for my Land program offers 25%-75% funding – for up to $5000 - through Alberta Environment and Parks “Watershed Resiliency and Restoration Program”. Call Agriculture and Community Services at 846-4040 for more details.
• Join the Landcare Email List. Are you interested in grant programs and new funding opportunities, virtual events, workshops, webinars, and receiving educational articles or video links relating to healthy and sustainable water and land? Contact landcare@clearwatercounty.ca to sign up. 

Most Recent Ag News Article

May 24, 2022 -  The Striped Skunk

Living in harmony.

With everyone’s favorite time of year in gear, it is also timing for different animals to make their appearance.

Over Winter, the furry habitant of Alberta, the skunk, is never missed. Once springtime hits, there’s no hesitation for them to alert their presence.  

The striped skunk is the most common of the 4 species found in North America. It is also the only one present in Alberta. 

They do not hibernate in the Winter. They just become inactive during the coldest months and save their energy for when it becomes warm again.

Coming closest to the summer months, the nocturnal animals are easiest to find. 

They are considered a nuisance species in Alberta, causing more annoyance then harm. 

The gestation period of a skunk usually lasts 7-10 weeks. Baby skunks, referred to as “kits,” are usually born in May, averaging between 4 and 6 a litter. 

Newborn skunks are almost naked at birth, producing full hair by 13 days, and opening their eyes around 21 days. Although the absence of hair when first born, the definite black and white color pattern is distinguishable. 

Although about the size of a housecat, the definite color scheme of that the animal radiates, gives no confusion when detecting their presence. That long with their aromatic scent, the creatures are one of a kind.

With the foul fragrant that comes along with the presence of these rodents, some warning signs take place prior. These can include stomping, hissing, or charging before the release of spray.

Don’t get too comfortable though. This sprinkle can reach up to 3 meters and be detected 1 km away.

Some remedies to get rid of the odor on clothing or dogs include a mixture of vinegar and detergent, hydrogen peroxide and baking soda, or even dish soap. 

With spraying being a defense mechanism out of fear, their natural manner is peace-loving and non-aggressive.

Skunks belong to the weasel family, which by inheritance, means they have well developed-scent glands and a musky odor. This explains it’s Latin name “Mephitis”, meaning bad odor.  

Habitats ranging from farmlands, grasslands, and forests, there is no where that a place cannot be made a home. Sometimes even too close to comfort such as decks or porches.

To help prevent skunks from visiting your property, food and shelter that the animals seek must be removed. Removable skunk shelters could include brush piles, debris piles, or stacked lumber that the skunk could be using for shelter. 

Food removal could include proper storage of garbage, feeding pets indoors instead of outdoors, and fencing off certain perimeters if necessary, such as beehives.

Repellants such as lights, sounds, and moth balls may also temporarily discourage skunks from entering an area. 

Being omnivorous, skunks will enjoy a meal full of vegetable matter, along with insects, mice, and even some ground squirrels.

The average lifespan of this nocturnal mammal in the wild is about 7 years. In human care, the average lifespan is about 10 years.

For information regarding skunk trap rental, please called Clearwater County Agriculture and Community Services at 403-845-4444.