On March 30, 2007, the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) and the Government of Canada signed a Funding Agreement in regard to the establishment and management of the Natural Areas Conservation Fund, supported by $225 million from the Government of Canada, and delivery of the Natural Areas Conservation Program, a matching funds conservation initiative led by NCC. As part of the Natural Areas Conservation Program NCC has the ability to sub-grant up to $15 million of the monies received from the Government of Canada to Other Qualified Organizations (OQOs), enabling such organizations to participate in and contribute to the Program. The program is open to provincial and local land trusts (OQOs).
Funding from the Natural Areas Conservation Fund is available to OQOs to support specific land securement projects that meet requirements under the Program, both those in the Agreement and additional requirements put in place by NCC’s Board of Directors and/or Executive Management. In enabling sub-granting to land trusts, NCC and the Government of Canada are aiming to widen NGO engagement in the Program, support key projects and further advance conservation at Priority Natural Areas across southern Canada.
Updates on progress with the OQO component of the Program will be posted on this page from time to time.
Important Notice:
The next due date for applications, for the fifth and final round of funding, has been set at October 31, 2011.
The guidelines for applying to the Natural Areas Conservation Fund and the application form can be downloaded here:
As outlined in the guidelines, applicants are expected to contact NCC Regional offices in order to assess the relevance of all proposals before applying. It is also recommended that applicants speak with NCC National office staff for guidance on application preparation. While applicants are able to apply for up to 50% of total eligible project costs, there can be no certainty that the full amount of funds requested will be awarded to successful applicants since, in some cases, only partial funding may be awarded.
In addition, NCC is delighted to announce that Ron Reid has agreed to assist in this Program, by providing consulting services to assist land trusts in the preparation of their Program funding applications. While there is no requirement to do so, NCC encourages land trusts seeking additional assistance to contact Ron for advice on potential applications. Ron can be contacted directly at bobolink.reid@gmail.com, or at 705-826-2584.
Also, please note that Section 7 of the Guidelines regarding the Stewardship endowment requirements for properties valued in excess of $2 million has been revised. The attached Landholding Agreement and Funding Agreement have also received minor updates. It should also be noted that while the terms and conditions of the Landholding and Funding Agreement must be met, the actual form of Agreement may require adjustment to meet the differing legal registration requirements of various Canadian provinces
Update: Projects Closed and Funded To Date
NCC is pleased to announce that the Natural Areas Conservation Fund has disbursed funding to the following Organizations to assist the securement of the projects as outlined:
Ontario Nature (Federation of Ontario Naturalists) – Jannen Property (Lost Bay Addition)
Thunder Bay Field Naturalists – Pine Bay Nature Reserve Properties
Alberta Fish and Game Association – Thomson Property
Rideau Waterway Land Trust – Sugarbush Island Property
Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust – Salmon Properties
Couchiching Conservancy – Wolf Run Alvar
Nature Action Quebec – Schouela, Iellamo and Simard Properties
Salt Spring Island Conservancy – Hope Hill Property
Various other Organizations have been awarded grants under the first four funding windows; however, details of these projects will not be provided until the projects have actually closed.
