Notable projects approved for funding include:

• $30,000 to Friends of Fish Creek (www.friendsoffishcreek.org) for protecting and preserving the fish along the watershed.
• $26,400 to the Alberta Land Trust Alliance (www.landtrusts-alberta.ca) to help kick off their first phase of community building for conservation.
• $10,000 to the Biosphere institute of the Bow Valley (www.biosphere.org) for the residential program of developing of sustainable communities.
• $15,000 to the Social Good Accelerator (www.sihubcalgary.com) to help them launch their community connection pilot program.
• $20,000 to the Miistakis Institute (www.rockies.ca) to develop resources for Alberta Land Owners on conservation easements.
• $30,000 to the University of Alberta (www.ualberta.ca) to develop a sustainable land use plan for Alberta.

“We are happy to be back granting funds again after a tough long year for many groups. The Alberta Real Estate Foundation prides itself on being a consistent source of support for meaningful projects for education, research and on-the-ground impacts. That is what we plan continue to do,” remarks Executive Director, Cheryl De Paoli, as further grant opportunities resume in 2012.

The Alberta Real Estate Foundation (AREF) supports initiatives that enhance the real estate industry and benefit the communities of Alberta. The Foundation was set up in 1991 under the Alberta Real Estate Act. Since then, it has awarded over 13.7 million dollars in community and industry grants to over 440 projects across Alberta.