About this project
In 2019, the Government of Canada announced a $10M Living Laboratories Initiative to advance collaborative agricultural science and help address some of Canada’s most pressing environmental issues. The Initiative is a network of Living Labs across the country where farmers, researchers and various partners work hand in hand on farms developing novel tools and techniques that are tailored to local environments and needs.
The idea is to have farmers work with scientists and other partners to conduct experiments right on their farms. Having farmers as equal partners gives them a direct voice in the innovation process. The aim is to develop more practical technologies and practices that make sense for Canadian farmers and their efforts to adjust to climate change, reduce water contamination, improve soil and water conservation, and maximize habitat capacity and biodiversity on agricultural landscapes.
The Living Labs - Eastern Prairies Project (LLEP) completed on March 31st, 2023 and researchers are analyzing their data and plan to present their results from the many projects in 2023. You can expect to hear some interesting results on socio-economic aspects of BMP adoption, GHG production from grazing, soil health and management, biodiversity and water management. MAW has provided an overview of the important work that was done in Manitoba via workshops, newsletters, videos and fact sheets.
Check out the Living Lab Eastern Prairies on the Manitoba Association of Watersheds website.
The LLEP Team
Assiniboine West Watershed District (for the Upper Oak River Watershed)
Environment and Climate Change Canada
International Institute for Sustainable Development
Keystone Agricultural Producers
Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development
Manitoba Association of Watersheds
Manitoba Forage & Grasslands Association
Nature Conservancy of Canada
Pembina Valley Watershed District (for the Swan Lake Watershed)
Redboine Watershed District (for the North Shannon Creek Watershed)
Seine Rat Roseau Watershed District (for the Main Drain Watershed)
Swan Lake First Nation (for the Swan Lake Watershed)
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada