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Part of Sustainable agriculture

Rangeland Sustainability Program

Organizations can apply for grant funding for projects promoting the conservation and long-term sustainability of Alberta’s rangelands.

Important dates

The Rangeland Sustainability Program is now open for the 2024-25 fiscal year. The application deadline is 11:59 pm, October 16.

Overview

The Rangeland Sustainability Program (RSP) works to promote the conservation and long-term sustainability of Alberta’s rangelands and the ecosystem services these working landscapes provide. Alberta’s Rangelands provide many ecological goods and services that benefit all Albertans. Clean air, fresh water, food, timber, wildlife habitat, biodiversity, soil stabilization, pollination, buffering from extreme weather events like floods and fires, and carbon sequestration and storage are all direct benefits from Alberta’s rangeland. Rangelands also provide a sustainable and renewable source of livestock forage, contributing to the livelihoods of farmers and ranchers and supporting the foundations of vibrant rural communities in Alberta.

About the program

The Rangeland Sustainability Program provides funding for collaborative projects with partners and stakeholders across the province that:

  • remove barriers to successful stewardship for rangeland managers to support economic, social and environmental outcomes
  • support research programs that increase knowledge and understanding of rangeland management to achieve long-term sustainability outcomes
  • support Albertans and industry stakeholders in their efforts to implement rangeland sustainability stewardship through education initiatives and tool development

Funding for the Rangeland Sustainability Program grant funding comes from a portion of annual grazing rental revenue. The program budget changes annually as grazing rental revenue is based on a variable market-based rental (for example: cattle prices). For more information on how the grazing rental rate will change, see Public land grazing rent and assignment fee.

Eligibility

  • Eligible Projects

    Some examples of projects that may receive funding through this program include:

    • applied research demonstrating adaptive range management practices
    • carbon sequestration research, extension and best management practices for rangelands
    • climate change effects and adaptation on rangelands
    • ecological restoration of native grasslands in areas of forest or brush encroachment
    • enhancement of existing tools, development of new tools, practices, or strategies for rangeland sustainability
    • grazing and timber integration
    • livestock producer education and extension
    • multiple use mitigation best practices on rangelands
    • predation and cattle loss
    • protection of species at risk
    • rangeland management and ecosystem services
    • rangeland reclamation and restoration research and training
    • rangeland wildfire resilience
    • recreation and rangeland interactions
    • riparian monitoring and management
    • wildlife, livestock, and rangeland interactions

  • Eligible project costs

    • costs related to extension – including newsletter development, signage, brochures or web content and upkeep, publication costs
    • materials and supplies for project implementation
    • project staff – salaries and benefits of project staff hired to develop or implement a project
    • office, travel and other expenses related to the project, including a portion of administration staff
    • projects may account for eligible costs as outlined in eligibility criteria, incurred within one year prior to the date the grant agreement is signed by a ministry representative

    Note: Only staff time and expenses outlined above directly related to the project are eligible.

  • Ineligible projects and expenses

    • activities considered to be statutory requirements for disposition management (example: grazing disposition holder responsibilities outlined in legislation and their disposition agreement)
    • any project directly or indirectly linked in reducing grazing rental
    • any project requiring ongoing maintenance, repair/replacement – temporary solutions needing active maintenance
    • costs for any activities where the primary purpose is to raise memberships or funds for the organization (such as open houses or media events)
    • payments for predator livestock death
    • purchase of land or conservation easement

  • Who can apply

    This program is not open to individual Albertans, however individuals may collaborate with eligible applicants to develop projects. Eligible program applicants include:

    • academia and educational institutions
    • Indigenous communities and organizations
    • municipalities
    • Non-government organizations registered under the Alberta Societies Act (ASA)
    • non-profit organizations (those that may not be registered under the ASA but are still considered not-for-profit)

How to apply

Develop an eligible project that supports one or more of the priority funding themes listed below. The 2024 application form is now available:

The annual application deadline is 11:59 pm October 16, 2024.

Priority funding themes

  • Extension and education

    • Increasing knowledge and awareness about the role of leaseholders to improve rangeland sustainability through management practices
    • Increasing awareness and integrate new knowledge, tools and best practices into rangeland management for the benefit of rangelands sustainability.

  • Research

    • Undertaking new research that focuses on knowledge development and practice change leading to improved rangeland sustainability.
    • Supporting research that benefits Alberta’s public rangelands, including linkages between rangeland management and ecosystem services.
    • Supporting research for Alberta rangeland climate change adaptation and mitigation (for example, carbon storage).
    • Supporting research for Alberta rangeland multiple use conflicts.
    • Supporting the application of knowledge, such as implementation of a new practice that will result in improved rangeland sustainability.

  • Stewardship (overcoming barriers)

    • Support development and implementation of adaptive management tools/beneficial management practices to integrate multiple use activities such as recreation, hunting or other industrial activities on rangelands.
    • Address emerging issues that have an impact on rangeland stewardship goals.

For more information, contact: [email protected]

  • After you apply

    The Rangeland Sustainability Program Application Review Committee will review eligible applications based on program objectives, the priority funding themes, and Government of Alberta priorities. Not all applications that meet the established review criteria will be approved for funding. Applicants may receive full, reduced or no funding for their projects. The department reserves the right to reduce the amount each applicant receives in order to stay within available program budget.

    Applicants will receive written notification of the decision regarding their application by March 31. If your project is approved, you will work with the RSP Coordinator to enter into a grant agreement. The agreement will outline expected timelines, budget, and deliverables and conditions.

    Rangeland sustainability program : project eligibility criteria

  • Reporting

    Grant recipients will be expected to complete annual reports and one final report. Reports will include project status and expenditures.

Resources

Approved grants

Read approved grants, recipients and project details from past Rangeland Sustainability Program funding:

Contact

Connect with the Rangeland Sustainability Program:

Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 310-3773 (in Alberta)
Email: [email protected]

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