Alberta Land Institute

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Image source: Canola in Alberta (Wikimedia)
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Image source: Canola in Alberta (Wikimedia)

Connecting research and policy for better land management of Alberta’s changing landscape.

Alberta Land Institute logo
Alberta Land Institute logo

The Alberta Land Institute (ALI) is committed to conducting and funding research that supports and enhances land use policy in the province of Alberta and beyond. ALI’s work focuses on the changing landscape and the ways that planning and policy design can ensure the long-term sustainability of Alberta’s agricultural sector, water and natural areas.

Learn more about us

  • $2M provided in research funding

  • Over 10 years of research

  • More than 30 research projects

Research Projects

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The Role of Urban Forests in Community Adaptation and Resilience

While trees are significant providers of ecosystem services, more research is necessary to help policymakers understand how the urban context affects trees' ability to provide ecosystem services and implement municipal tree policies that best capture the full value of their services.

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Soil Health: Policy, Science, and Law in Action

Interest in Canada's soil health and its strong links to climate change adaptation and resilience has dramatically increased over the past several years. Research and knowledge produced through this work sought to improve decision-making among key stakeholders and policymakers.

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The Implementation of Market Based Conservation Tools Under ALSA: A Review

This research study aimed to examine the history and current status of the implementation of the various land stewardship tools set out in the Alberta Land Use Framework and Alberta Land Stewardship Act, with particular emphasis on market-based conservation tools.

More research

The Land Use Podcast

The Land Use Podcast is your home to discussion on a wide range of land use issues affecting public policy. If you're a landowner, planner, public official, conservationist, or involved in industry, we're a home for you!

Featured Episodes

News

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Energy Efficiency Day: The state of Alberta renewable energy

Studies show that despite renewable energy generation increases in Alberta, the province accounts for 50 per cent of Canada’s emissions from electricity.

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Outreach with Future Energy Systems retrospective

In honour of FES’s final season of outreach activities, the ALI team reflected on our experiences and takeaways from participating in these amazing events.

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Water treatment capacity impeding economic development in southern Alberta

A recent study found that water is available for greater economic development in Southern Alberta, but water treatment capacity is an issue, according to community leaders.

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Funding Winners 2025/2026

The Alberta Land Institute's 2025/2026 Call for Proposals received many fantastic applications, 5 of which were selected for funding. Learn more about the funding winners and their projects below.

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Future Energy Systems' Science Rendezvous 2026

On May 9, ALI had the pleasure of joining Future Energy Systems for another year of the Science Rendezvous at the TELUS World of Science in Edmonton. Science Rendezvous is part of a series of events that take place across the country. The events create interactive learning experiences for all age groups on topics such as science, technology, engineering, art, and math.

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New podcast episode: Carbon sink potential of Alberta’s boreal forests

In Alberta, boreal forests cover 60% of our land base. Understanding the composition of these forests will help us understand how much carbon our forests could store.

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The effects of increased snowfall on drought and agriculture

On March 10, the Alberta Land Institute held another one hour Lunchtime Land Use webinar on snowfall’s effect on drought and agriculture.

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New podcast episode: Conserving private land

Learn about the history of conservation easements in Canada and why landowners might choose to restrict their property rights in favour of conservation.

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New Podcast Episode: Opportunities in stormwater management

The responsible management of stormwater is essential to protecting our waterways, but it may also present an opportunity to supplement water supply.

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Forest management in a changing climate webinar overview

On October 20, the Alberta Land Institute held the first Lunchtime Land Use webinar for this semester. During the one hour session, the guest speakers discussed the management of Canada’s forests within a changing climate.

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