Alberta has announced plans to invest $1.3 million to strengthen the health, biodiversity, and long-term resilience of the province's rangelands.
Agriculture Minister RJ Sigurdson says healthy rangelands are the foundation of a strong agricultural sector.
"This investment supports the farmers and ranchers who rely on these landscapes to raise livestock and sustain their operations, while also promoting long-term environmental stewardship. By working with Indigenous groups, researchers, and local communities, we’re helping to ensure Alberta’s rangelands remain productive, resilient, and ecologically rich for generations to come."
The government notes that Alberta’s rangelands are important working landscapes supporting food production, clean air, fresh water, timber harvesting, wildlife habitat preservation, and forage for livestock, while contributing to the lives and livelihoods of farmers and ranchers.
The Rangeland Sustainability Program (RSP) is funded by a portion of rental fees collected from grazing disposition holders located on Crown land, which is then reinvested into projects that support academics, non-profits, and other agricultural partners.
This year’s program funded projects supporting education and community outreach, adaptive grazing practices, conservation strategies, grassland bird conservation, and bee biodiversity surveys.
2024-25 funding recipients include the Alberta Native Bee Council, Blood Tribe Land Management, Peace County Beef and Forage Association, Southwest Alberta Sustainable Community Initiative, University of Alberta - Dr. Edward Bork, University of Alberta - Dr. James Cahill, and the Western Stock Growers Association.
Jane Lancaster, with the Southwest Alberta Sustainable Community Initiative, says the RSP grant provides essential support to SASCI’s Grassland Restoration Forum (GRF), helping advance the conservation and restoration of Alberta’s native grasslands.
"With this funding, GRF delivers outreach, training, and resources to improve reclamation practices and support those working in rangeland management."
The Peace Country Beef & Forage Association has also received funding through the Rangeland Sustainability Program.
Executive Director Liisa Jeffrey says with the funding from the program, they've been exploring the integrated management of trees, forages, and livestock in silvopastoral systems.
"These systems have the potential to provide improvements in multiple areas, including soil fertility and conservation, wildlife habitat, forage quality, animal production, income diversity, and greenhouse gas mitigation."
Applications for the 2025-26 fiscal year are now open until Sept 17th.
Applicants are considered based on knowledge and understanding of rangeland management.