Alberta's wetlands play an important role in keeping our environment healthy and balanced. They act like natural sponges that soak up water during heavy rains and slowly release it during dry periods, protecting against floods and droughts while nourishing plants and animals.
Alberta's government is investing $8.7 million through the Wetland Replacement Program to help municipalities and non-profits build more wetlands. This funding will help naturally protect Alberta from future droughts and floods, improve water quality and create healthier ecosystems throughout the province.
"Wetlands are one of Alberta's best natural defenses against droughts and floods, protecting people, the environment, and ecosystems for our wildlife. Our wetland replacement funding is safeguarding clean water, biodiversity and the well-being of our communities for generations to come."
Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas
The government engaged with Albertans in late 2024 and early 2025 to hear ideas about how to strengthen and modernize the water system. During this, Albertans consistently asked government to continue investing in wetlands, which help naturally store water, filter out pollutants before they reach lakes and rivers, and refill underground water supplies.
"Wetlands play a critical role in the delivery of key ecosystem services to Albertans and are foundational to the economic prosperity of our province. Ducks Unlimited Canada is proud to play a part in the restoration of these important ecosystems and commends the Government of Alberta for making the process possible through its world-class Wetland Replacement Program."
Thorsten Hebben, manager of Alberta operations, Ducks Unlimited Canada
"Our participation in the Wetland Replacement Program provides a unique opportunity to test, develop and implement innovative and effective solutions to restore disturbed peatlands across Alberta. This not only achieves the goal of replacing disturbed wetlands, but contributes to the advancement of reclamation science and practice in Alberta and across Canada. It also creates job opportunities for professionals, students and local businesses in Alberta."
Dr. Bin Xu, research chair in peatland restoration, NAIT Centre for Boreal Research
Municipalities and non-profit organizations are eligible to apply for funding by Aug. 15. Funding will be awarded this fall, with construction starting as early as October.
Alberta's Wetland Replacement Program is a model for Canada, and is growing each year. Since 2020, the program has produced 609 hectares of restored wetlands, improved natural drought and flood protections and is supporting biodiversity across the province.
Quick facts
- Introduced in 2020, Alberta's Wetland Replacement Program provides a way to replace the province's wetlands and prioritizes areas with the highest rates of loss. Project proponents can choose to pay a wetland replacement fee to the Alberta government, which funds the province's replacement program, in lieu of replacing a lost wetland.
- Alberta has invested more than $20 million into 43 projects led by eight municipalities and two non-profits through this program since 2020.
- This includes $6.2 million in landowner payments to rural Albertans participating in the program.
- In addition to the Wetland Replacement Program, Alberta continues to improve water management across the province, including:
- $5 million over three years for the Alberta Water Storage Assessment Program.
- $12 million over two years for Bow River Reservoir (with Transportation and Economic Corridors).
- $25 million investment this year through the Drought and Flood Protection Program.
- $3.5 million through the Watershed Resiliency and Restoration Program.
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