ALTGP FAQ

Any registered Alberta Land Trust organization. The Land Trust organization must have stated in their mission statement that their purpose is for land conservation.

To provide grants to Land Trust organizations to purchase conservation easements and administer and manage new conservation projects on private land. Grants will not be awarded to enable purchase of private land.

Interested Land Trusts should send an email to Landtrust.grantprogram@gov.ab.ca to request an application package. Applications must be received by Friday September 7, 2012.

1. Ability to Leverage Funds
   For each grant proposal, a Land Trust must be able to provide 2x the grant request. This means that if a land trust is applying for a $100,000 grant, they must be able to provide $200,000 for the project.

   Leveraging categories include:

   • Cash
   • The value of the donated land or conservation easement
   • In kind services such as manpower and equipment donations directly related to the project
   • Other committed grants
2. Alignment with SRD conservation priorities, which are centered around:
   1. Maintaining large areas of native landscape
   2. Conserving connecting corridors
   3. Sustaining disconnected pockets of native habitat within fragmented landscapes

Once SRD receives the application package, the package is reviewed to determine completion and that no errors exist. An internal review committee will then determine eligibility by verifying that the proposed project aligns with SRD’s conservation priorities and that the appropriate amount of leveraging is available.

Recommendations from the review committee will then be submitted to the Deputy Minister for final approval.

The internal review committee will comprise representatives from the Rangeland Management Branch, Fish & Wildlife, Land Use Framework and Finance. The internal review committee will also consult with field staff located near the project areas.

Yes, there are no limits on the number of projects or locations a Land Trust can apply for. However, each project will be evaluated independently.

Yes, project funding must be used within 3 years of the funding allocation date.

Funding can be used for

• Securement of a conservation easement
• Land management involved with a new conservation easement or donated title. E.g. developing or implementing a conservation plan.
• Administration costs involved in obtaining or maintaining the conservation easement or donated title. These costs must be directly related to the project. Examples include legal fees, accounting and book keeping.
• Staffing cost directly related to the project
• Extension directly related to the project (e.g. educational signage). Grant funding cannot be used to raise funds or increase membership.
• Stewardship Endowment to ensure the continued protection and maintenance of the property.

Funding for the program is generated from the proceeds of public land sales, which typically occur in or around urban areas.

Yes, the Land Trust must submit an annual report to the Department of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development. This report outlines the land trust’s achievements and funding used to date.

Yes, but the funds must be earmarked for that project.

The funding of this program is intended to enable "new" conservation projects (i.e. new lands placed under conservation easements); therefore funding requests for existing management programs will not be considered. Conservation easements obtained or land title donated prior to January 1, 2012 will not be considered eligible.