The Alberta government is helping landowners in Alberta to protect their land.
They are doing so while still growing the economy and working with landowners in the province.
In 2024, there was a request for proposal issued, and $5 million in grant funding presented through the Land Trust Grant Program will be awarded to 19 projects across Alberta, which will help to protect almost 21,000 acres.
Those projects will help landowners and land trusts to protect the natural landscape in Alberta, all while not disrupting the livelihoods that Albertans rely upon.
Of those 19 projects that are receiving funding, four of them are in the area and will help to protect land nearby.
Those are the Pekisko Native Grasslands Project and the Foothills County Ranch Project 1 in Foothills County, as well as the Willow Creek Watershed Project and the Oxley Creek Egger/Blake Ranch Project in the M.D. of Willow Creek all received funding through the Land Trust Grant Program.
"Alberta farmers and ranchers are natural environmental stewards of their lands," explained the Minister of Environment and Protected Areas, Rebecca Shulz in a media release. "This funding helps provide the support needed to preserve their lands for future generations, all while ensuring they can continue to provide for their families, keeping food on our tables and our economy strong."
The funding for these projects was allocated in 2024-2025, and will help to fund projects that will help to protect important areas in the province, such as watersheds, grasslands, and riparian areas, all while still making sure a combined area that is roughly the size of Airdrie economically productive agricultural lands.
Not only is the provincial government providing this funding, but they are also reviewing their private land conservation program, so they can identify more opportunities where they can work with Albertans to conserve the natural landscape.
The areas that are being conserved are important habitat corridors and support healthy watersheds as well as protecting the habitats of endangered species.
The Land Trust Grant Program has awarded over $50 million to land trust organizations since 2019, which has helped to conserve over 142,000 acres of private land.
To see the full list of projects receiving funding, click here.