Closed
Ecosystem Services Grant Program
Supports conservation of ecosystem services on Alberta private lands
Last Update: March 3, 2026
Funding available
Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : July 15, 2025
- Closing date : October 1, 2025
Location
Alberta, Canada
Overview
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.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Attract or retain talent
Eligible Funding
- Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : July 15, 2025
- Closing date : October 1, 2025
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Educational services
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration
Location
- Alberta
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Rural or Northern Residents
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Environment
- Economic, Social and Community Development
Target groups
- General public
- Rural / Remote communities
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Municipal
- Provincial
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- 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.
Eligibility
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
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.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Ecosystem Services Grant Program Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Ecosystem Services Grant Program. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the Ecosystem Services Grant 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.
How much funding can be received?
Ecosystem Services Grant Program Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program was October 1, 2025.
Who is eligible for the Ecosystem Services Grant Program program?
To be eligible for the Ecosystem Services Grant Program program, you must:
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).
What expenses are eligible under Ecosystem Services Grant Program?
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.
Who can I contact for more information about the Ecosystem Services Grant Program?
You can contact Government of Alberta by email at ESGP@gov.ab.ca.
Where is the Ecosystem Services Grant Program available?
The Ecosystem Services Grant Program program is available the province of Alberta.