Since 2007, the Natural Heritage Conservation Program (NHCP) has delivered over 1,600 projects to protect and conserve more than 800,000 hectares of secured habitat, supporting local economies in 350 municipalities from coast to coast to coast.
Federal investment kick-starts critical partnerships and attracts private capital and funding from corporations, industry, foundations, individual Canadians, and other levels of government to support newly protected and conserved areas, including capacity building and technical support for Indigenous-led conservation projects. Through the NHCP, partners have invested more than $1 billion of matched funding in conservation projects, leveraging funds from the Government of Canada to create more than $1.5 billion in conservation investment since 2007.
The NHCP is projected to run out of funds before March 2026.
A renewed and enhanced NHCP partnership will further its value and conservation actions by:
- Delivering more than $1.56 billion in additional conservation outcomes by 2030;
- Supporting NHCP partners in their commitment to deliver 500,000 hectares of new protected and conserved areas;
- Advancing area-based biodiversity outcomes beyond hectares;
- Expanding impact measure reporting to highlight and celebrate the benefits of land conservation for people and nature;
- Increasing and strengthening relationships with Indigenous Peoples with demonstrable outcomes that support (re)connections to land- based practices.
- Ensuring durable conservation outcomes via priority restoration, stewardship and maintenance activities, invasive species control and visitor management; and
- Advancing science, data, and knowledge to support evidence-based policy and land-use decisions.
Recommended Investment:
$595 million over five years (an additional $95 million in 2025-26 and then $125 million per year for four years through 2029-30). All funding will be matched 1:1.5 by program partners. [ECCC]