Harnessing the power of markets for healthier ecosystems Could this be an ideal time for Alberta to support trading in ecosystem services credits? For more than a decade, the Alberta government, landowners and, producers, and other stakeholders have expressed an interest in using market-based instruments (MBIs) to protect and steward the province’s land, air, and water. MBIs are designed to align…
Alberta Land Institute has launched the Land Use Podcast! You can subscribe with us on iTunes, on Google Play, or follow us on SoundCloud! The Land Use Podcast is home to discussion on a wide range of land use issues affecting public policy here in Alberta and across the world. For landowners, planners, public officials, conservationists, or anyone involved in industry, there will be episodes…
By Dr. Brent Swallow As Alberta’s cities and major towns grow, so too does their footprint on Alberta’s rural landscapes. A recent report by the Alberta Land Institute contains new insights into the extent of farmland conversion and fragmentation in the agricultural “white zone” of the province. The report completed by a team of University of Alberta professors, including myself, along with…
EDMONTON, AB (February 13, 2018): A new report from the Alberta Land Institute found that high quality agricultural land in Alberta continues to be fragmented and lost and calls for greater discussion around land use policies to preserve quality agricultural land as Alberta grows. The report was conducted by Dr. Brent Swallow and Dr. Scott Jeffrey from the University of Alberta. It found that most…
Albertans are increasingly aware of the importance of agricultural land in and around their urban areas. This land provides the food that Albertans enjoy at their grocery stores and local farmers markets. It connects Albertans to the province’s agricultural heritage and beautiful landscapes. And finally, it provides an incredible benefit to Alberta’s economy, both local and provincial. Where these…