Alberta

Maintaining the magic of wild spaces and wide-open spaces.

Province

Albertans have a strong connection to the land

From native prairie grasslands, to the aspen parkland to the boreal forest, our landscape and environment supports our way of life, our well-being, and our economic prosperity.

How we take care of it now will determine our prosperity and sustainability later. That’s why we are committed to conserving Alberta’s wetlands and grasslands. By working together with landowners, communities, government and partners, we have a better and brighter future ahead – one that is rich in natural assets, resources and biodiversity.

You have much to gain from our landowner programs. Our conservation programs have evolved over time to suit you better. See our list of programs.

Have you seen the new Alberta NAWMP Partnership’s Landowner Guide to the Alberta Wetland Policy?
It offers resources and programs that can be beneficial to your work. Download a PDF version of the Guide.

In the News:

Hear Tracy Scott, Ducks Unlimited Canada- Alberta speak about blue-green algae blooms

Windspeaker Radio Network link 09.01.2023
CTV Calgary link 09.12.2023

At the kitchen table, farm gate or in the field, DUC’s conservation staff work with farmers and landowners everyday to find the right programs that align with their conservation and business goals.

Alberta by the numbers

We share a common vision to conserve our most valuable natural assets because once they are lost, so too, is our way of life.

2,832 Habitat projects

4,893 Landowner Partners

The Latest Stories from Alberta

Volunteers

Building the next generation of conservationists

Conservator, Grasslands, Philanthropic

Conservation at McIntyre Ranch

Boreal, Conservator, Indigenous Partnerships

Grounded in the boreal forest

85 Years of Conservation, Landowners, Partnerships

Building bridges between wetland conservation and agriculture in Alberta

Media releases

Advancing Conservation Together

Alberta North American Waterfowl Management Plan

The Alberta NAWMP Partnership aims to retain important wetland and upland habitats and facilitate wetland and upland restoration through securement programs that include land purchase, conservation easements and agreements, management agreements, and forage agreements.

Learn more about NAWMP

Explore Wetlands in Alberta

Wetlands are beautiful places to relax and connect with the outdoors. Explore Alberta’s wetland destinations, ready for your visit any time of year.

McIntyre Ranch

Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) and the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) are working together to conserve one of the largest remaining tracts of intact Prairie grasslands and wetlands in Canada.

Alberta Landowner Programs

Marginal Areas Program

This program offer provides producers with an option to manage areas within their fields that are hard to access, have salinity issues or are just unproductive. Focus your efforts on the acres that make you money.

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Wetland Restoration Lease Program

The restored area remains under the management of the landowner and can be hayed or grazed but not drained, altered or tilled during the term of the agreement. Landowners receive compensation from DUC for this restriction which could be used by farmers to support new land purchases. The lease program is a very good fit for cattle producers who have drained wetlands on grazing lands.

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Conservation Easements

A conservation easement (CE) allows for compatible agricultural land use such as haying and grazing on a property. Because a CE supports the growth of native plants and protects the land’s natural features, perennial cover is maintained and can serve as a sustainable source of forage.

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Forage Program

The DUC forage program provides cash-back incentives on Proven® Seed forage varieties paid at full retail price when producers convert cultivated land to hay or pasture land.

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Revolving Land Conservation Program

Through this program, DUC purchases land, restores its wetlands and grasslands and then makes it available to buyers on the real estate market with a conservation easement on the title.

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Alberta Wetland Classification System Field Guide

The Alberta Wetland Classification System Field Guide is designed for use in the field and intended for anyone interested in identifying and classifying wetlands in Alberta, from industry and government practitioners to landowners, Indigenous communities and more.

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Alberta Hay and Graze Tender Program

Sound grazing management of pasture land keeps forage stands healthy and vigorous. It helps with weed control and serves as productive waterfowl habitat. To support local producers, DUC makes land available for haying and/or grazing with annual tenders.

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