Alberta opens applications for rangeland funding

Alberta organizations working to improve the health and productivity of the province’s rangelands can apply for funding through the Rangeland Sustainability Program, with applications for 2026-27 open until September 16.

The Government of Alberta is investing $1.4 million in the program this year to support projects focused on the long-term health, biodiversity and resilience of Alberta’s rangelands.

The program reinvests a portion of grazing disposition rental fees into projects that support responsible rangeland stewardship and management. Eligible applicants include agricultural organizations, non-profit organizations and academic institutions.

“Alberta’s rangelands are vital to the agricultural industry and the province’s landscapes,” said Tara Sawyer, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation. “Farmers and ranchers depend on these lands for high-quality feed for cattle, sheep and other grazing livestock, livestock production and to reduce reliance on harvested feed during the grazing season.”

Supporting practical rangeland projects

Funding through the Rangeland Sustainability Program supports research, education and on-the-ground projects intended to maintain and improve Alberta’s working landscapes.

Projects receiving 2025-26 funding include work related to pest and invasive species management, restoration of native grasslands, public education, and other rangeland management priorities.

Recipients include the Peace Country Beef and Forage Association, Rocky Mountain Forest Range Association, West Central Forage Association, Alberta Invasive Species Council and several other organizations working across the province.

One funded initiative will explore the use of targeted goat grazing to manage invasive species and overgrown brush on grazing lands.

“Targeted goat grazing is a practical, natural way to manage invasive species and overgrown brush on grazing lands,” said Carri St. Pierre, Executive Director of Farming Forward (West Central Forage Association). “This funding lets us put that approach to work and share what we learn with producers across the region.”

Rangeland funding continues to grow

The Rangeland Sustainability Program was established in 2020 with $43,000 in annual funding. Funding has since grown substantially, reaching more than $1.3 million last year and $1.4 million through Budget 2026.

Alberta’s rangelands serve as important working landscapes for the cattle industry, providing forage for livestock while also supporting wildlife habitat, water resources and other ecological functions.

Applications for 2026-27 Rangeland Sustainability Program funding close September 16, 2026.

Learn more about eligibility, funding priorities and how to apply through the Government of Alberta’s Rangeland Sustainability Program.

To celebrate the United Nations’ 2026 International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP), Alberta Beef Producers is sharing stories highlighting local ranching families who protect native grasslands and manage sensitive ecosystems.
Learn more about IYRP and meet the families.