Rangeland Sustainability Program

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 stewardship and adaptation
• rangeland wildfire resilience
• recreation and rangeland interactions
• riparian monitoring and management
• wildlife, livestock, and rangeland interactions

• 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 grant agreement effective date

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

• activities considered to be statutory requirements for disposition management
• 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

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)

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

• 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.

• Projects that support development and implementation of adaptive management tools/beneficial management practices to integrate multiple use activities, and address emerging issues that have an impact on rangeland stewardship goals.

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 Program Coordinator to enter into a grant agreement. The agreement will outline expected timelines, budget, and deliverables and conditions.

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