Photo credit: Battle River Watershed Alliance

Alberta Ecotrust Foundation is pleased to announce the recipients of its 2026 Environmental Impact Grant. A total of $679,000 has been awarded to support 14 local initiatives in the areas of nature-based solutions and conservation, Indigenous leadership and the circular economy, among others.

"We are proud to support a diverse group of projects responding to key environmental priorities across Alberta,” says Lori Rissling-Wynn, Director of Grants and Initiatives at Alberta Ecotrust. “This year, many projects are advancing watershed security through protection, monitoring and habitat restoration, with Indigenous leadership continuing to shape many aspects of this work. We’re also seeing innovative circular economy solutions that rethink how we use resources. Together, these projects show what’s possible when communities lead.” 

Continue reading to learn more about each project and how they relate to each of our focus areas.

Nature-based solutions and conservation

Seven projects will advance habitat restoration, biodiversity conservation and watershed resilience across Alberta.

Bow River Basin Council Society | Innovative virtual fencing pilot to increase Jumpingpound Watershed resiliency and inform broader-scale technology uptake

The Bow River Basin Council Society is piloting a virtual fencing technology in the Jumpingpound Creek Watershed to support improved grazing management, watershed protection and habitat conservation.

Freshwater Conservation Canada | Callum Creek restoration project

Freshwater Conservation Canada will restore critical westslope cutthroat trout habitat in the Callum Creek watershed using low-tech process-based restoration methods alongside long-term grazing management practices.

Kehewin Cree Nation #123 | Kehewin Cree Nation-led stewardship of Sinking Lake and Indigenous plant knowledge

The Kehewin Cree Nation #123 will lead a stewardship project at Sinking Lake rooted in land-based teachings from Elders and focused on ecological monitoring, plant restoration and youth engagement.

Living Lakes Canada Society | Community groundwater monitoring: Strengthening our understanding

This project is expanding a community-based groundwater monitoring program in southern Alberta, in partnership with the Oldman Watershed Council and Piikani Nation Lands Department, to improve understanding of aquifer conditions and drought impacts.

Miistakis Institute | Nature’s network

By working with municipalities and communities in the Greater Calgary Region, the Miistakis Institute will advance ecological connectivity and nature-based solutions that support wildlife and healthy landscapes.

Wildlife Conservation Society Canada | Alberta bat conservation: White-nose Syndrome Probiotic Project

This work is leading an innovative effort to help protect Alberta’s endangered bats from White-nose Syndrome using probiotic treatments developed from naturally occurring bacteria.

Wizard Lake Watershed and Lake Stewardship Association | Wizard Lake sustainability program 2026

The Wizard Lake Sustainability Program will implement nature-based drainage improvements to reduce nutrient runoff entering Wizard Lake and strengthen watershed health through bioengineering techniques.

Foundational and Indigenous-led stewardship

Four projects will strengthen watershed planning, monitoring and Indigenous-led stewardship initiatives.

Alberta Tomorrow Foundation | Weaving Indigenous knowledge from Elders into watershed land use modelling on the Alexander Cree First Nation  

The Alberta Tomorrow Foundation is working with the Alexander First Nation to develop a Two-Eyed Seeing land-use modelling tool that combines Indigenous knowledge and water resiliency research to support environmental planning and education.

Battle River Watershed Alliance | Indigenous co-leadership in watershed management planning

This project is advancing Indigenous co-leadership in watershed management planning through collaboration among Indigenous Nations, governments, agricultural producers and community partners.

The Governors of the University of Calgary | Blackfoot Youth Water Council led community-based monitoring

The University of Calgary will support the Blackfoot Youth Water Council in developing a community-based water monitoring program shaped by local priorities and youth leadership in the Siksika Nation.

The Otipemisiwak Métis Government | Motus wildlife tracking program: Pilot phase

The Otipemisiwak Métis Government of Alberta will establish a Métis-led biodiversity monitoring pilot using Motus wildlife tracking technology to support long-term stewardship and environmental monitoring on Métis lands.

Circular Economy

Three projects received support to advance circular economy solutions in Alberta communities.

Beaver Hills Watershed Stewardship Society | Feasibility study for advancing circular water economy for watershed recovery in Beaver Hills

This project is leading a feasibility study exploring circular water solutions in the Beaver Hills Biosphere through managed aquifer recharge using treated wastewater to support wetland restoration and climate resilience.

EcoSchools Canada |  Advancing a circular economy across Alberta’s K-12 school system 

EcoSchools Canada is working to equip Alberta students, educators and school boards with tools and resources to support circular economy practices across K to 12 schools, including waste reduction, emissions tracking and education related to Alberta’s Extended Producer Responsibility system. The project will also update and promote the school board's sustainable purchasing and procurement practices.

Light House Sustainability Society | Policy action plan to advance home relocation and deconstruction

The Light House Sustainability Society will develop a policy action plan to advance home relocation and deconstruction in Edmonton and Calgary. The project aims to reduce construction waste, lower greenhouse gas emissions and support housing and climate goals through circular economy approaches.

All of the 2026 Environmental Impact Grantees and their projects reflect the growing momentum of community-led environmental work across Alberta and highlight the importance of collaboration, Indigenous leadership and local knowledge as we continue working towards an Alberta where people and nature thrive.