Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

Maintaining healthy landscapes has benefits that extend well beyond the boundaries of a given property. These ecological services include things like water filtration and storage, healthy wildlife populations, and aesthetic values which support tourism and the preservation of our heritage. The economic value of these ecological services is enormous and once compromised they are often irreplaceable. In southwest Alberta a significant portion of the lands that provide these important ecological services are private lands. As our population grows, so does the demand for these services. And while demand continues to grow, the intact land base that provides these services is shrinking. Based on historic rates, “business as usual” will see much of the private land in our foothills developed over the next 50 to 100 years. This is occurring through a continual process of subdivision, road and residential development, and industrial activity. The result will be further loss of iconic vistas, fresh water, wildlife, an