Shelterbelt Program

The County coordinates annual orders of trees and pollinator plant species through the Shelterbelt Program.

A shelterbelt is typically row or rows of trees and/or shrubs that are natural or planted to reduce the impact of winds and wind speed. Shelterbelts can be very beneficial to:

Improve air and water quality
Improve carbon capture
Reduce wind stress and damage to crops
Reduce soil erosion
Increase snow capture
Increase water storage
Create wildlife habitat

Check out the 2026 order form here.

Check out the County's tree planting tips here.

Shelterbelt Species

For an extensive listing of species native to Alberta, check out the Agroforestry and Woodlot Extension Society's (AWES) searchable database here.

A searchable database of the species available in the County's program for 2026 can be provided upon request to agservices@northernsunrise.net or at 780-322-3831.

Current as of 2026:

Evergreen Trees

Blue spruce
Lodgepole pine
White spruce

Tall Trees

Golden willow
Green ash
Hybrid poplar
Siberian larch
Tamarack

Mid-Sized Trees

White birch

Shrubs and Hedges

Green alder
Lilac

Fruit-Bearing Species

Blueberry
Haskap
Pin Cherry
Raspberry Boyne
Romeo Cherry
Saskatoon

Specialty Species provided by the NAIT Centre for Boreal Research

Fireweed
Giant hyssop
Goldenrod
Paintbrush
Showy aster

Shelterbelt References and Resources

The following information was provided courtesy of the Agroforestry and Woodlot Extension Society (AWES).

Further resources:

Shelterbelts: Design Guidelines (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)
Field Shelterbelts for Soil Conservation (Government of Alberta)
Planting Tree and Shrub Seedlings (AWES)
Practical Guide to Establishing an Ecobuffer (AWES)
Seed and Seedling Planting and Care (Weyerhaeuser)
How to Plant a Tree (TreeTime)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost to order seedlings?

This program is being run on a cost-recovery basis. We are placing bulk orders to help County residents receive better rates for seedlings.
Costs will range depending on the species.
- Please note that each species is being sold in a bundle of either 10 or 15 (we will not be offering individual seedlings).
There is a $5.00 shipping and handling fee applied to each order.

When and how will I pay for my order?

Because we cannot guarantee all orders will be fulfilled, invoices will not be sent until orders are picked up.
Invoices will be sent to the contact information provided with your order and can be paid by;

- Electronic-funds-transfer to the County at finance@northernsunrise.net; Or payment can be made through online banking by using your “customer ID” as the account number.
- If paying with a credit card, you can call Administration Office at 780-624-0013 to pay over the phone.
- You can pay in person at the Administration Office located at 135 Sunrise Road, Peace River AB, T8S 1Y9, or
- You can mail the payment (if by cheque) to Bag 1300, Peace River, AB T8S 1Y9.

When will my order be ready?

Orders will be ready either at the end of May or beginning of June, depending on nursery availability.
We will notify customers prior to the pickup date.

Where will I pick up my order?

When ready, orders can be picked up at the County's Agricultural Services Building located at 10203 101 Ave, Nampa, AB T0H 2R0.