Red Deer's Three Mile Bend wetlands will be improved using a $220,000 provincial government grant announced this week.
The money will be used to reshape nearly three acres (1.11 hectares) of the wetlands to make small pockets of deep water pools, said Mayor Ken Johnston on Thursday.
"Any naturalization improvement in the park is terrific," he said, adding Three Mile Bend is one of Red Deer's most popular spots.
Several years of drought have only magnified the importance of natural areas, such as wetlands, he said.
"The timing couldn't be better for us, I think."
Alberta Environment and Protected Areas Minister Rebecca Schulz announced on Wednesday that $5 million will be invested in seven wetland and construction projects on 407 acres (165 hectares).
Red Deer is one of three municipalities along with Lac La Biche and Sturgeon Counties to receive funding through the Wetlands Replacement Program.
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) and Ducks Unlimited Canada also received funding.
Ducks Unlimited will receive about $3.5 million for three projects, which includes nearly $1.4 million to restore 134 acres (54 hectares) in Ponoka County. The remainder will be used to restore about 220 acres in County of Camrose and Starland County.
NAIT will use $698,000 in funding to restore 44 acres (17.8 hectares) in the Municipal District of Opportunity No. 17, a remote area in central northern Alberta north of Athabasca.
The projects are expected to strengthen the province's natural flood and drought protections while improving water quality and creating healthier ecosystems.
"Wetlands not only help protect Alberta from the devastating impacts of droughts and floods, but also support health, thriving ecosystems all across the province," said the minister in a statement.
Ducks Unlimited manager of Alberta operations said that through the Wetlands Replacement Program, which has been in place since 2020, the government "has demonstrated a significant commitment to responsible environmental management."
