The Government of Alberta is investing $343,750 into wetland restorations in Parkland County.
The province has allocated $5.3 million through the Wetland Replacement Program to add 67 hectares of new wetlands through seven projects across central and southern Alberta.
Officials explain that wetlands act as natural sponges, storing and slowly releasing water, which reduces the damaging effects of drought and flooding. They also keep rivers and lakes clean by filtering runoff, and sustain a diverse ecosystem of plants and animals.
“Restoring wetlands is one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce future flood and drought risks,” comments Grant Hunter, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas. “These projects show what’s possible when governments, local partners and landowners work together. By rebuilding wetlands where they matter most, we’re creating a stronger province.”
The project planned for Parkland County will turn a low-lying upland area into wetlands in an effort to reduce the risk of floods downstream. The wetland will be about 1.25 hectares in size, northeast of Spruce Grove.
The other projects include:
- Strathcona County – $2,424,467 to construct an 11-hectare wetland north of Sherwood Park.
- Sturgeon County – $414,975 to construct a 1.65-hectare wetland northeast of St. Albert.
- Ann and Sandy Cross Conservation Area – $267,232 to construct a 1.1-hectare wetland in the conservation area.
- Ducks Unlimited Canada – $1,933,985 to construct three wetlands totalling 52.11 hectares in partnership with private landowners southeast of Holden, southwest of Youngstown and southwest of New Sarepta.
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