The Alberta government has introduced a new license plate to promote conservation efforts. Priced at $75, excluding a $15 registry agent fee, the plate will contribute $55 to the Alberta Conservation Association (ACA) after covering production and shipping expenses. This special plate will be available starting on September 1st.
The funds generated from the sale of these plates will support various conservation initiatives, including habitat restoration, wildlife research, and community-driven conservation projects. Minister of Forestry and Parks Todd Loewen emphasized that this initiative aims to raise awareness about the significance of conservation within the province. He highlighted that both urban and rural Albertans value wildlife and habitat conservation, making it a cause that unites everyone.
The ACA was selected as the recipient of the proceeds, with the money flowing through the provincial government before reaching the organization. ACA President and CEO Todd Zimmerling stated that the funds will directly contribute to enhancing fish and wildlife populations and their habitats.
Featuring artwork by Grande Prairie-based artist Des McCaffrey, the license plate showcases two bighorn sheep against the backdrop of Mount Lougheed, accompanied by the words “wild strong free.”
McCaffrey revealed that the idea for the design was initiated by Minister Loewen in 2023. The artwork pays tribute to two iconic bighorn sheep in Alberta’s history—one that tragically died in a vehicle accident near Canmore in 1987 and another that was shot in 1911 and remains a symbol of the province’s wildlife heritage.
Drawing inspiration from a successful program in British Columbia, where license plates contribute to park enhancement projects, this Alberta initiative aligns with similar conservation efforts. The BC program, established in 2017, has sold over 630,000 plates, generating significant revenue for conservation activities.
The introduction of this license plate program in Alberta coincides with the NDP’s 2023 campaign pledge to replace the Kananaskis Conservation Pass with a donation-based system. Sarah Elmeligi, NDP Banff-Kananaskis MLA and shadow minister for Environment and Protected Areas, expressed satisfaction in seeing their proposed ideas adopted by the government. She emphasized the importance of transparency in utilizing the funds raised through these license plates, citing previous concerns over the allocation of funds from the Kananaskis Conservation Pass.