This release was issued under a previous government.
The projects are funded through grants from the Watershed Resiliency and Restoration Program (WRRP). Eleven recipients, including environmental organizations and municipalities, are sharing in almost $15 million directed at flood and drought mitigation through the restoration and conservation of healthy, naturally-functioning watersheds.
“Healthy watersheds play a critical role in reducing the impact of both flood and drought. The projects funded through these grants will create and restore wetlands, rehabilitate riparian areas, and allow our natural environment to play a key role in improving the flood and drought resiliency of our communities.”
“Ducks Unlimited Canada commends the Government of Alberta for its investment in natural capital. Restoring wetlands will not only result in flood attenuation in years of high water but it will also help with drought proofing the prairies in dry years. The net effect will lead to improved water quality in our lakes and rivers.”
More than 500 hectares of wetlands and about 36 kilometres of riparian areas will be restored or enhanced, mostly in southern Alberta. Approved grants will also fund studies to inform riparian management best practices, changes to dam operations to support riparian vegetation regeneration, and new concepts to encourage wetland conservation and restoration.
The three-year, $21 million Watershed Resiliency and Restoration Program was announced last August. Funding is available to non-governmental organizations, stewardship groups and other not-for-profit organizations, as well as municipalities, First Nations and local authorities.