How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is 2025-10-01T23:59:00Z.

Who are the financial supporters of the Ecosystem Services Grant Program?

Ecosystem Services Grant Program is funded by Government of Alberta

What are Ecosystem Services Grant Program's eligibility criterias?

The applicant must be a registered non-profit organization, a registered non-governmental organization, or a municipality in Alberta. For-profit businesses and individuals are not eligible for direct funding. Payments to landowners must pertain to private lands (no municipal, provincial, or federal lands).

Ecosystem Services Grant Program

Last Update: July 21, 2025

AB, Canada

Supports conservation of ecosystem services on Alberta private lands

Ecosystem Services Grant Program at a glance

Eligible Funding

Up to 50% of project cost

Timeline

Open Date : July 15, 2025
Closing date : October 1, 2025

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Educational services
Arts, entertainment and recreation
Other services (except public administration)
Public administration

Grant Providers

Government of Alberta

Status

Open

Overview of the Ecosystem Services Grant Program program

The Ecosystem Services Grant Program offers grant funding to eligible non-profit organizations, NGOs, and municipalities in Alberta to support direct payments to landowners for conserving and enhancing natural assets through ecosystem services programs. The program funds activities such as habitat agreements, conservation initiatives, wetland stewardship, best management practices, and restoration projects, with no perpetual land agreements required; the specific maximum funding amount is not specified in the program guide.

Financing terms and conditions

Funding covers up to 50% of salary and benefits for one staff member (new or existing) involved in program development and delivery.
Grant supports costs for computer equipment and software for eligible activities up to a maximum of $5,000, unless otherwise approved.

Eligible projects & activities

Establishing habitat agreements to maintain wildlife corridors and critical habitats.
Supporting ranchers through conservation agreements for sustainable grazing operations.
Implementing programs that assist farmers in wetland stewardship on crop land.
Promoting adoption of best management practices to enhance the production of ecosystem services.
Undertaking improvement projects on private property that restore or enhance natural assets, including land with existing conservation easements.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 148,000

Restoration of native grasslands through incentive-based agreements

$ 102,000

Wetland stewardship program for small grain farmers

$ 80,000

Riparian buffer enhancement for water quality and wildlife habitat

$ 130,000

Pollinator-friendly restoration and landowner engagement initiative

$ 115,000

Supporting sustainable grazing practices on privately managed rangelands

$ 90,000

Restoration of degraded streambanks in critical trout habitat

Eligibility criteria of the Ecosystem Services Grant Program program

The applicant must be a registered non-profit organization, a non-governmental organization registered under a government act, or a municipality within Alberta.
The proposed program must deliver ecosystem services through incentives to landowners on privately owned land in Alberta.
The project must focus on retaining or improving natural assets that provide ecosystem services, especially in areas of high conservation priority or at high risk of conversion.
The application must include both program delivery and direct payments to landowners; funding solely for program development is not eligible.

Who is eligible?

Registered non-profit organizations
Non-governmental organizations registered under a government Act
Municipalities within Alberta

Who is not eligible

Individuals and private enterprises (private businesses) are not eligible for direct funding.
Companies and organizations that are not registered as non-profit organizations, non-governmental organizations under a government act, or municipalities in Alberta.
Organizations seeking funding for projects on municipal land, provincial Crown land (e.g., grazing leases), or Federal land.

Eligible expenses

Administration costs (including legal and accounting fees).
Up to 50% of salary and benefits for one staff member (new or existing) dedicated to the program.
Education, engagement, communication and outreach activities related to the program.
Equipment leases required for program delivery.
Reasonable travel expenses associated with the program.
Purchase of computer equipment and software for eligible activities (up to $5,000 unless otherwise approved).
Reporting requirements and deliverables.
Technical consulting and professional services.
Contractor costs for program activities.
Retention payments to landowners for agreements to retain natural assets providing ecosystem services.
Improvement payments to landowners for projects that enhance or restore natural assets.
Costs to build infrastructure directly tied to improvement work (e.g., off-stream watering, stream crossings, wildlife-friendly fencing).
Costs for restoration or enhancement materials directly tied to improvement work (e.g., seed, materials for restoration projects).

Eligible geographic areas

Municipalities located in Alberta
Organizations registered in Alberta

Eligibility criteria of the Ecosystem Services Grant Program program

Proportion of the budget allocated to retention payments for landowners.
Effectiveness of targeted program metrics, such as number of acres of natural assets targeted for enrollment and cost per acre enrolled.
Soundness and suitability of methods proposed for enrolling landowners and natural assets, determining landowner payments, quantifying ecosystem services delivered, and ensuring internal quality assurance.
Extent to which the project targets natural assets in areas of high conservation priority or at high risk of conversion.
Inclusion of partnerships, collaboration, or leveraged funding from additional sources (encouraged but not required).

How to apply to the Ecosystem Services Grant Program program

Confirm eligibility

Identify your organization’s eligibility as a registered non-profit, non-governmental organization under a government act, or municipality in Alberta
Ensure your project aligns with the program's objectives and eligible activities

Prepare application materials

Review the Ecosystem Services Grant Program Guide and application form in detail
Gather required documentation and information needed for the application

Complete the application form

Complete the Ecosystem Services Grant Program application form accurately
Include all required supporting documents as specified in the guide

Validate application

Review your completed application for accuracy and completeness
Ensure all required sections and documentation are included

Submit the application

Submit your completed application and attachments to ESGP@gov.ab.ca by October 1 at 11:59 pm (MDT)
Retain proof of submission for your records

Wait for results

Your application will be reviewed by a committee of experts for completeness and eligibility
Recommendations will be submitted to the Deputy Minister for final approval
Await notification of application results

Additional information

Grant recipients must report annually on program outcomes, including enrolled landowners, acres of natural assets, and ecosystem services quantified.
Legal term agreements with landowners are required and will not be registered on title.
Grant recipients may apply in future years to expand or renew their ecosystem services programs.
The quantification of ecosystem services may use simple or complex methods, depending on organizational capacity and budget.

Contact Government of Alberta

ESGP@gov.ab.ca

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