Federal Program Partnership

On May 15, 2014, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced Canada’s National Conservation Plan (NCP), with an emphasis on conservation, restoration and connecting Canadians to nature.

Paula Noel, PM Steven Harper, John Lounds | Deb Ransom, Prime Minister's Office

Celebrating a Canadian success story

On May 15, 2014, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced Canada’s National Conservation Plan (NCP), with an emphasis on conservation, restoration and connecting Canadians to nature. As part of the NCP, the Government of Canada has committed to renewing the Natural Areas Conservation Program for another five years, with an additional $100-million investment.

NCC administers the program and has committed to match every federal dollar 2:1. The new funding commitment brings the total contribution by the government of Canada to $345 million.

NCC has matched the federal government’s contributions to drive more than $600 million in conservation action to date, thanks to donations from individuals, corporations, other governments and more.

This funding was designated for the conservation of important natural habitat in communities across southern Canada.

Since the launch of the Natural Areas Conservation Program, to date we have conserved the equivalent of 916 NHL hockey rinks each day (about 4,000 square kilometres).

Results achieved under the Natural Areas Conservation Program by province.

Hectares (ha) and Species at Risk (SAR) identified as of May 31, 2014.

Province Hectares (ha) Species at Risk (SAR)
British Columbia 221,287 43
Alberta 42,056 28
Saskatchewan 43,915 26
Manitoba 19,876 26
Ontario 23,074 82
Quebec 25,734 30
New Brunswick 2,916 7
Prince Edward Island 451 4
Nova Scotia 6,387 19
Newfoundland & Labrador 2,291 4
 

The Natural Areas Conservation Program complements Canada’s network of national parks and protected areas. Under the program, priority is given to:

  • land that is nationally or provincially significant
  • land that conserves habitat for species at risk
  • land that enhances the connections between existing protected areas, such as national parks

The Government of Canada’s partnership with NCC, through the Natural Areas Conservation Program, has helped to accelerate the pace of private land conservation across southern Canada. By delivering results on the ground and working with partners, NCC and its partners are building a natural legacy for Canadians.

The Natural Areas Conservation Program is delivering results for nature, and for Canadians.

The Nature Conservancy of Canada thanks the Government of Canada for its continued commitment to this Canadian success story.