Who We Are
Working together to create a healthier environment for all Albertans.
In a world where environmental issues are many and complex, the cooperative effort of people with diverse views and backgrounds is vital to finding workable solutions.
Our Purpose
By fostering shared values, coordinated action, and strong collaboration, Alberta Ecotrust encourages a collective responsibility for building a healthier society and thriving natural environment.
We collaborate with a diverse group of engaged Albertans from industry, government, and the nonprofit and charitable sectors, harnessing our province’s entrepreneurial spirit and directing it toward the issues that matter most.
Our Mission and Vision
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Mission
We partner across boundaries to mobilize and inspire those who champion and protect the environment
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Vision
Healthy ecosystems for all Albertans
Our Story
Guided by a vision of healthy ecosystems for all Albertans, Alberta Ecotrust is a long-standing charity and a critical source of funding, training, and skill-building for Alberta’s environmental community.
In 1991, our founders knew we could make a difference by doing things differently. Forming partnerships between the corporate and environmental nonprofit sectors could build trust and combine big-picture thinking with boots-on-the-ground effort.
We were the first-ever organization to provide funding solely to environmental groups in Alberta.
Since then, we've grown and shifted with the times. The modern world is complex and ever-changing. Alberta Ecotrust has successfully navigated multiple systems, provided enduring leadership, and relentlessly pursued collaborative solutions. This works because we embrace our community's diverse perspectives, priorities, and goals.
Everyone has a role, including government, businesses, and philanthropic organizations.
Plus, we can have an even bigger impact through our Climate Innovation Fund.
Looking ahead to the next 30 years, we need to meet the social, economic, and ecological challenges caused by climate change. These include biodiversity loss, drought and food insecurity, water quality, and extreme weather impacts.
We will focus on initiating, supporting, and collaborating on scalable solutions that address multiple challenges simultaneously.
Our Focus Areas
With every project and partnership we undertake, we focus on these three core focus areas.
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Nature-Based Solutions and Conservation
We value, develop, and fully integrate nature-based solutions to achieve environmental, economic, and social objectives. We also enable projects that protect nature by supporting Indigenous-led efforts and implementation of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs).
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Climate Resilience and Emissions Reductions
Alberta hopes to achieve the vision of carbon neutrality and resilient communities by mid-century. Through our Climate Innovation Fund, we support projects and initiatives that have the potential to scale to achieve this vision and support the transition to a sustainable future.
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Circular Economy
Alberta has a circular economy that preserves the value of energy, labour, and materials. Alberta Ecotrust supports projects and initiatives that promote durability, reuse, remanufacturing, and recycling to keep products, components, and materials circulating in the economy.
Our Team
At Alberta Ecotrust, we are proud to have an incredible team dedicated to delivering impactful programs and initiatives. Their passion and expertise drive our mission forward, collaborating to create a healthier future for all Albertans. We are also deeply grateful for the invaluable insight and guidance from our Board members, whose expertise enhances our work and helps us achieve our goals.
Our Partners
Thanks to our supporters, whose contributions help us do our job. Learn more about this amazing community of municipalities, industry, and nonprofits that are collaborating to protect our environment meaningfully.
Our Climate Innovation Fund
Alberta Ecotrust is a founding member of the Low Carbon Cities Canada (LC3) network, implemented in partnership among seven local centres across Canada and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. Funded by the Government of Canada, LC3 is part of a national investment in municipal climate action to accelerate urban climate solutions, and to meet Canada’s 2030 and 2050 carbon reduction targets.
As an LC3 centre, Alberta Ecotrust received a $43.4 million endowment to create the Climate Innovation Fund (CIF). CIF provides programming in Calgary and Edmonton, taking on a nimble, accelerator role, complementing and advancing the leadership work undertaken by the municipalities.
Land Acknowledgement
Alberta Ecotrust Foundation acknowledges that our work stretches across the traditional territories of Cree, Blackfoot, Métis, Nakota Sioux, Iroquois, Dene, and Ojibway/Saulteaux/Anishinaabe nations; lands that are now known as part of Treaties 6, 7, and 8 and homeland of the Métis. Our head office is located in the City of Calgary, which is also home to Métis Nation of Alberta, Region III.
Privacy Policy
Alberta Ecotrust is incorporated under the Alberta Societies Act. Our Privacy Policy is written to comply with the applicable portions of the Alberta Personal Information Privacy Act (PIPA) and the federal Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA).