Public Comment Period on Intent to Make a Determination
Ralston School and Community Small Farm and Garden Project - Canadian Forces Base Suffield

November 24, 2025 — The Department of National Defence must decide whether the proposed project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

To help inform this decision, the Department of National Defence is inviting comments from the public on the project and its potential effects on the environment. All comments received will be considered public. For more information, individuals should consult the Privacy Notice on the Registry website.

Written comments must be submitted by December 13, 2025 to:
Sheri McNamara, Base Environmental Officer
Mailing Address:  CFB Suffield, Box 6000 St Main, Medicine Hat
Alberta, Canada, T1A 8K8
E-mail:  Sheri.McNamara@forces.gc.ca

or

Jason Duchscherer, Principal
Mailing Address:  17 Dugway Drive, Ralston
Alberta, Canada, T0J 2N0
E-mail:  jasonduchscherer@prrd8.ca

The Proposed Project

The Department of National Defence (DND) has proposed a project to use an area of land close to the school in order to house approximately 25 livestock animals of different varieties and two beehives. The intent of the project is to support students in school with hands-on learning experiences and grow the community and school closer together. Within the school boundary of land, the construction of raised garden beds will enable both the school and community to grow commonly found vegetables and fruits suitable to the area.