University of Lethbridge receives $500,000 for key environmental research

A new $500,000 grant to the University of Lethbridge will help explore water storage in lakes, restoring habitat for the endangered sage-grouse, and other key environment issues impacting Southern Alberta and other regions of the province.

This collaborative research will help government and university researchers better understand and respond to droughts, species at risk, and changes in climate.

The three-year research grant will help support eight collaborative research projects investigating a wide range of topics, including:

• The water storage potential of Alberta’s lakes
• Carbon storage and carbon sequestration potential of Alberta wetlands and terrestrial ecosystems
• The impact of fire on carbon storage in Alberta peatlands
• The diversity, abundance, and biomass of key insects in provincially protected areas

In addition, the research will explore emerging questions and issues affecting Southern Alberta and the rest of the province:

• How habitat restoration and oil and gas site reclamation can assist in recovery of endangered sage grouse
• How changing weather patterns affect the productivity and carbon sequestration potential of native grassland and prairie wetlands
• How changing water temperature and contaminants may impact rainbow trout and brown trout populations in important fisheries like the Bow River
• How human recreation and other activities are affecting the Upper Oldman Watershed

These research projects will occur over the next three years and their results will be communicated through various academic journals, as well as on Alberta’s Environmental Science Program website.

This grant is part of a rotating program led by Alberta’s Office of the Chief Scientist. Previously, the University of Calgary and the University of Alberta received funding for key research activities. About $1.5 million in research grants will be awarded by the Office of the Chief Scientist this year to better monitor and understand Alberta’s environment.