Alberta Innovates | Ecosystem Development Partnerships Program
“Alberta”
The funder does not disclose this information
Maximum Eligible Amount
Government Grant
Fund Type
Overview
Private land conservation supports natural landscapes that:
- sustain healthy fish and wildlife populations
- conserve ecological services that benefit the economy and human health
- enhance recreational opportunities for Albertans
The Ecosystem Services Grant Program is being piloted for 2025-26 and is intended to provide opportunities for landowners to conserve high quality natural assets that are at high risk of conversion or in areas of high conservation priority. Through this program, the Alberta government gives landowners the opportunity to participate in conservation programs without requiring a perpetual agreement on their land. The Ecosystem Services Grant Program is administered by Environment and Protected Areas.
About the program
The goal of the Ecosystem Services Grant Program is to ensure that ecosystem services are sustained across the landscape, recognizing landowner needs and providing benefits for Albertans.
Starting as a pilot, the Ecosystem Services Grant Program will provide grant funding to eligible municipalities, non-government organizations and non-profit organizations for the delivery of ecosystem services programs over a 4-year period. These grants are intended to support direct payments to landowners for the ecosystem services they provide on their properties.
Overview
Private land conservation supports natural landscapes that:
- sustain healthy fish and wildlife populations
- conserve ecological services that benefit the economy and human health
- enhance recreational opportunities for Albertans
The Ecosystem Services Grant Program is being piloted for 2025-26 and is intended to provide opportunities for landowners to conserve high quality natural assets that are at high risk of conversion or in areas of high conservation priority. Through this program, the Alberta government gives landowners the opportunity to participate in conservation programs without requiring a perpetual agreement on their land. The Ecosystem Services Grant Program is administered by Environment and Protected Areas.
About the program
The goal of the Ecosystem Services Grant Program is to ensure that ecosystem services are sustained across the landscape, recognizing landowner needs and providing benefits for Albertans.
Starting as a pilot, the Ecosystem Services Grant Program will provide grant funding to eligible municipalities, non-government organizations and non-profit organizations for the delivery of ecosystem services programs over a 4-year period. These grants are intended to support direct payments to landowners for the ecosystem services they provide on their properties.
Read the Ecosystem Services Grant Program fact sheet to learn more.
Ecosystem services
Ecosystem services refer to the extensive physical, chemical and biological benefits of healthy ecosystems that:
- support economic activities
- support the health and well-being of communities
- enhance recreational opportunities
Ecosystem services provided by private land like healthy soil, clean water, wildlife habitat and pollinator attraction provide an array of benefits to our communities. Ensuring sustained access to these services is the foundation of countless conservation and restoration programs worldwide.
Funding and incentives
Landowners funded through these ecosystem services programs will sign agreements with the grant recipient; however, these agreements will not be registered on title and do not require landowners to commit to a long conservation term.
The program provides economic incentives for landowners to retain natural assets on the landscape that provide ecosystem services benefits. Program funding supports a variety of ecosystem services programs that provide financial incentives directly to landowners for the ecosystem services they produce, examples include but not limited to:
- habitat agreements for maintaining wildlife corridors and critical habitat
- conservation agreements to support ranchers for sustainable grazing operations
- programs to support farmers for wetland stewardship on crop land
- programs that increase the adoption of best management practices to increase ecosystem services production
- improvement projects on landowners’ property, including existing lands with registered conservation easements
- any other programs that provide landowner payments for the ecosystem services produced on their property
Eligibility
Applicants
Applicants to the Ecosystem Services Grant Program must be registered non-profit organizations, non-governmental organizations registered under a government act, or municipalities within Alberta.
Individuals and private enterprises are not eligible to receive direct funding under this program but are encouraged to participate and contribute to projects with eligible partners.
Payments
Landowners enrolled into an eligible third-party ecosystem services program funded by the Ecosystem Services Grant Program may receive 2 types of payments:
- Retention payments provide incentive payments to landowners to conserve natural assets on the landscape, ensuring existing ecosystem services are sustained.
- Improvement payments fund discrete projects that improve natural assets and enhance ecosystem services through mitigation and restoration activities.
How to apply
Review the program guide and grant application carefully before applying.
Application period
Applications are open from July 15 to October 1 (11:59 pm MST).
Where to submit
Completed applications can be submitted to Ecosystem Services Grant Program at esgp@gov.ab.ca.
Contact
To learn more about the application process and to ensure project eligibility, contact the program at esgp@gov.ab.ca.
After you apply
All Ecosystem Services Grant Program applications will be reviewed for completion and eligibility:
- An internal review committee consisting of subject matter experts from within the Government of Alberta will meet with the program area to determine which projects best align with the Ecosystem Services Grant Program’s application selection criteria and priorities.
- Recommendations from the review committee will then be submitted to the deputy minister for final approval.
Log in with Google