Investing in Alberta’s wetlands and watersheds
Watersheds are areas of land that drain rainfall and snowmelt into steams, rivers and lakes which, in turn, help support healthy communities and ecosystems. Each year, the Watershed Resiliency and Restoration Program works to increase the natural capacity of Alberta’s watersheds to reduce the intensity, magnitude, duration and effects from flooding and droughts.
This year, Alberta’s government is providing $3.5 million to fund 22 projects in rural and urban communities through the Watershed Resiliency and Restoration Program. The funding is helping restore riverbanks and wetlands, protect streambanks and improve natural drainage among other projects.
“Strengthening the long-term health of Alberta’s wetlands, river basins and watersheds is very important to our government. Equally important is helping create natural ways to combat drought and water shortages in the future. That’s why we’re working with local communities and other partners to help fund practical projects that benefit communities across this province.”
— Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas
To date, Alberta’s government has allocated more than $43 million to flood and drought resilience projects through the Watershed Resiliency and Restoration Program, including $19.6 million since 2019. This funding has helped with the restoration, enhancement and conservation of more than 4,500 hectares of wetlands and riparian areas since 2014.
A full project list, including more information on the newly funded projects and information on how to apply for future funding, is available online.
Quick facts
Projects are led by stewardship organizations, non-profits, Indigenous communities and municipalities to restore critical wetland and riparian areas and promote the ongoing stewardship and preservation of critical watershed features.
Projects funded by the Watershed Resiliency and Restoration Program have led to more than 3,400 hectares of critical watershed lands being conserved in perpetuity under easements funded under the Alberta Land Trust Grant Program.
More than 7,000 Albertans have participated in training workshops funded through this program on natural restoration techniques and other practices that enhance watershed resiliency.
The next application deadline for Watershed Resiliency and Restoration Program funding is Sept. 15.