The Government of Canada is working with communities to protect species at risk and double the amount of protected nature in Canada's lands and oceans

OTTAWA, Feb. 26, 2019 /CNW/ - Canada is home to diverse wildlife from coast to coast to coast, and Canadians care about protecting our nature. That's why we are working with Canadians to protect species at risk and double the amount of protected nature in Canada's lands and oceans.

Today, Environment and Climate Change Canada launched a fund to protect species at risk, in partnership with communities across the country. The Community-Nominated Priority Places for Species at Risk is accepting applications from communities across the country, until April 26, 2019. This funding initiative will provide up to $15.6 million over four years, to support projects in communities that are bringing people together to protect species at risk.

The protection and recovery of species at risk are important responsibilities shared by federal, provincial, territorial, and Indigenous governments. Working together is essential to protecting our nature. The Government of Canada will continue to support practical solutions to protect Canada's nature and the wildlife that depends on it.

Quotes

"Protecting nature and the wildlife that depends on it is important to Canadians. Through this fund, the Government will continue to support effective and practical projects led by communities across the country, which protect and recover species at risk. By working closely with communities and Canadians, we can help conserve our species and ensure their survival for generations to come."
– Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

Quick facts

• In June 2018, federal, provincial, and territorial ministers responsible for parks, protected areas, conservation, wildlife, and biodiversity met and agreed to the Pan-Canadian Approach to Transforming Species at Risk Conservation in Canada.
• The Pan-Canadian Approach is intended to achieve better conservation outcomes for more species at risk, improved return on investments, and increased co-benefits for biodiversity and ecosystems.
• Through the Canada Nature Fund, over $150 million will be available over five years for various funding initiatives to help with the protection and recovery of species at risk.
• Government of Canada initiatives such as the Habitat Stewardship Program and the Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk also help contribute to the protection of species at risk and help restore their habitats across Canada.
• Part of the Canada Nature Fund, the Community-Nominated Priority Places for Species at Risk is a funding initiative to help with species at risk conservation.
• This application-based funding initiative will allow approximately 13 community-nominated places to be funded (one per province or territory).
• Federal funding will be matched by applicants from non-federal sources. This funding is part of Budget 2018's historic $1.35 billion investment in nature.
• The application process includes an expression of interest and final proposal phase. Interested organizations are encouraged to submit an initial expression of interest by March 22, 2019. Final proposals must be submitted by midnight on April 26, 2019. This call for proposals will be the first of two over the four-year duration of the funding initiative. Interested organizations are encouraged to review the application process at https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/nature-legacy/fund.html .

Related products

• FAQ web page

Associated links

• Link to Community-Nominated Places interest of expression/call for proposals web page
• Overview of the Pan-Canadian Approach to Transforming Species at Risk Conservation in Canada
• Funded Projects under the Canada Nature Fund for aquatic species at risk

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Environment and Climate Change Canada's Facebook page

SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada

For further information: Sabrina Kim, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, 819-743-7138, [e-mail]; Media Relations, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 819-938-3338 or 1-844-836-7799 (toll-free), [e-mail]

Related Links

http://www.ec.gc.ca