Unit 5 - Alberta's Land-use Framework


Lesson 5: A Strategy for Conservation and Stewardship


What is Meant by Conservation and Stewardship?


The definition of conservation in the Land-use Framework is: "the responsible preservation, management, and care of our land and of our natural and cultural resources."

Stewardship is defined as "an ethic whereby citizens, industry, communities, and governments work together to responsibly care for and manage Alberta's natural resources and environment."

Conservation and stewardship are a shared responsibility. Working together, land users, landowners, and the government have a responsibility to protect and enhance the environment. To support this, the Government of Alberta is working with partners to develop a number of tools.

Conservation and Stewardship Tools for Private and/or Public Lands

There are a variety of conservation and stewardship tools used in Alberta (and throughout the world). For Crown lands, the government can (with public input) provide clear guidelines or directives. For private lands, the process is somewhat more sensitive, since ownership rights must be considered. 

Under the Alberta Land Stewardship Act, tools for use on private land include the following:

  • Conservation easements voluntary legal agreements between a landowner and a qualified organization (such as the Alberta government) to preserve ecological and cultural values and the beauty of Alberta. Each easement can be tailored to the landowner's needs through discussion between the owner and the qualified organization. The private landowner still owns the land, but both parties are responsible for carrying out the conservation conditions of the easement.

  • Conservation directives a legal directive by the Alberta government to ensure a specific area is protected (example, to permanently protect, conserve, manage, and enhance environmental, natural scenic, esthetic, or agricultural values). Landowners who have a conservation directive on their land still own the land, and can continue to do a number of land-use activities within the purpose of the directive. Landowners are entitled to compensation if there is a decrease in the value of their land due to a conservation directive.
  


  • Conservation off-sets a tool that enables industry to offset adverse effects of their activities by supporting conservation efforts on other lands. This is currently being researched to explore off-set design options and implementation

  • Transfer of development credits a tool that can be used by municipalities to move development away from areas they want to conserve for environmental purposes, aesthetic values, or recreational use. Relocating urban or industrial development can also protect wildlife habitat while still allowing for growth.