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10 projects

Government of Alberta invests nearly $5 million in environmental conservation

Jun 3, 2026 | 10:39 AM

The Government of Alberta is investing nearly $5 million to support conservation in Alberta.

Through the Private Land Conservation Program, $2.8 million in grant funding has been awarded to five projects that will conserve over 8,500 acres across Alberta.

More specifically, $156,790 will be presented to the Crooked Creek Conservancy Society of Athabasca, $457,022 to the Edmonton and Area Land Trust, and $2,267,000 to the Western Sky Land Trust.

In addition, the Ecosystem Services Grant Program has awarded over $2.1 million to five projects that directly support landowners in maintaining private lands with high ecological value, targeting at least 8,800 acres.

This means $566,022 has been given to the Alberta Conservation Association, $566,022.50 to ALUS Canada, $220,000 to Clearwater County, $267,143 to the Foothills Land Trust, and $500,000 to the Milk River Watershed Council Canada.

“Landowners are crucial partners in conservation programs that create opportunities for sustainable land use and keep people working,” said Grant Hunter, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas. “We’re supporting projects that align conservation goals with landowner needs, maximizing every dollar.

Projects include a conservation site program in Clearwater County that will help retain riparian areas and protect critical wetland habitat for species at risk. Further south, a project in the Milk River watershed will help retain unique grasslands and riparian areas with high ecological value.

Together, these 10 projects will help land trusts and landowners protect Alberta’s natural landscapes without disrupting the livelihoods that hard-working families rely on. The initiatives will safeguard important areas, including watersheds, riparian zones and grasslands while keeping them viable as productive agricultural lands.

“The Milk River Watershed Council Canada is honoured to be a recipient of the Ecosystems Services Grant,” said John A. Ross, chair, Milk River Watershed Council Canada and area rancher. “Our project, coined ‘grasslands for life’, is intended to work directly with ranchers of the watershed to provide annual per-acre payments for measurable stewardship outcomes on deeded native rangeland and riparian areas. These lands provide ecosystem services that enhance biodiversity, carbon storage, soil health and water quality while maintaining the economic viability of working rangelands.”

The application period for the 2026-27 funding intake for both programs will open in June and run until September.