In 2015, in order to meet its international commitments to the conservation of biodiversity, federal, provincial and territorial governments developed 19 biodiversity targets for Canada. The first target, Target 1 stated that “By 2020, at least 17% of terrestrial areas and inland water, and 10% of marine areas, are conserved through networks of Protected Areas and other effective area-based conservation measures.” Canada has since embraced two ambitious and closely related goals: Conserve 25% of our lands and waters by 2025, and 30% by 2030.

The NHCP-LTCF program is designed to directly support Canada Target 1 and as such, land funded under the NHCP-LTCF program must count towards Target 1 objectives for permanent or long-term protection of land, either as a “Protected Area” (PA) or an “Other Effective area-based Conservation Measure” (OECM), as defined by Appendix 1 of One with Nature 2019:

• Protected Area (PA): A Protected Area is “a clearly defined geographical space, recognized, dedicated and managed, through legal or other effective means, to achieve the long-term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services and cultural values.” (One with Nature definition, 2019).
• Other Effective area-based Conservation Measure (OECM): An OECM is broadly defined as “a geographically defined area other than a Protected Area, which is governed and managed in ways that achieve positive and sustained long-term outcomes for the in-situ conservation of biodiversity, with associated ecosystem functions and services and where applicable, cultural, spiritual, socio-economic, and other locally relevant values.” (One with Nature definition, 2019).
  • • • *If your project involves a unique mechanism for conservation or an OECM, please contact WHC to discuss the details of your project before submitting an application.
        Note: successful applications with projects involving a unique mechanism for conservation or an OECM will require approval by ECCC before a Funding Agreement between NCC and the Applicant can be signed (WHC and NCC will facilitate the ECCC request for approval).

A Decision Support Tool exists to provide support in assessing whether or not an area contributes to Canada Target 1. Applicants are encouraged to review the Decision Support Tool and assess their project land using the Decision Support Tool Screening Template for Protected Areas and OECMs to determine whether the area can be counted towards Canada Target 1.

For further information, an overview of the Accounting for Protected and Other Conserved Areas can be found on the Pathway to Canada Target 1 website.

All Large Grant applications (funding request greater than $30,000) will undergo a review process by Wildlife Habitat Canada and an evaluation by an External Review Panel.

Wildlife Habitat Canada will review Large Grant applications in the following areas:

• Project and applicant eligibility;
• Project duration and completion date;
• Match requirement;
• Hectares;
• Risk of incompletion.

The External Review Panel will evaluate and score Large Grant applications in the following areas:

• Conservation and biodiversity significance;
• Connectivity and/ or adjacency to other conservation lands;
• Project resiliency;
• Conservation co-benefits.

Wildlife Habitat Canada will review and select priority projects that meet the requirements and targets of the program, which will be presented to the Nature Conservancy of Canada for final funding decision.

All applicants will be notified as to the funding decision for their application. Successful applicants will receive a funding agreement from the Nature Conservancy of Canada for signature.

All Small Grant applications (funding requests between $5,000 and $30,000) will be reviewed by Wildlife Habitat Canada in the following areas:

• Project and applicant eligibility;
• Project duration and completion date;
• Match requirement;
• Hectares;
• Risk of incompletion.

Applications are reviewed and considered in the order in which they are submitted, on a first come, first served basis; however, applicants are encouraged to take their time and submit accurate, completed applications. If an applicant fails to upload the correct, requested documentation with their Application Form submission, the application may be deemed incomplete and disqualified from funding consideration.

Eligible projects that meet the requirements of the program will be presented to the Nature Conservancy of Canada for final funding decision.

All applicants will be notified as to the funding decision for their application. Successful applicants will receive a funding agreement from the Nature Conservancy of Canada for signature.

New (Year 3): NHCP-LTCF Small Grant funds can be used to fund both in-year securement expenses and associated securement costs of fee simple land or Conservation Agreements.

A land trust may submit a maximum of two* project proposals with funding asks between $5,000 and $30,000 each, for immediate consideration. Application forms will be reviewed on a first-come, first served basis until all funds are awarded; applications must be complete and meet eligibility requirements in order to be considered.

Wait listed Large Grant projects may elect to submit a revised project to the Small Grant program; however, if funds are awarded under the Small Grant program, the project will be removed from consideration under the Large Grant program.

Required Match: The NHCP-LTCF is a matching funds program, with a required match ratio of a minimum 1.5:1 (minimum match ratio has been reduced for Year 3 of the program). This means that for every $1 of Program funds awarded, a minimum of $1.50 in matching funds from sources other than Canadian Federal Government investments must also be contributed.

Required Stewardship Endowment Contribution for Each Project: Projects funded under the NHCP-LTCF require a cash contribution to a stewardship endowment fund for the long-term stewardship of the lands.

Project Financial Check: For Final Reporting, successful applicants must provide WHC with a completed Financial Reporting Template and copies of individual invoices or receipts for NHCP-LTCF expenses that are over the amount of $1,000.

Project Audit: Projects may be selected for a program or financial audit by internal WHC staff or an external Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of the Small Grants program and the Funding Agreement. Successful applicants are required to maintain detailed records and supporting documentation associated with the project.

To submit an application, all applicants must have read, acknowledge and agree with the requirements of the program Guidelines for their respective category (Large or Small grants).

Reference the following documents prior to preparing and submitting an application:

LARGE GRANTS

1. Large Grants – Guidelines (Year 3)
2. LTCF Funding Agreement Template_Year 3 (Large Grants)
3. Project Budget Template_Year 3 (Application)
4. Parcel Grid Template
5. Stewardship Endowment Calculator (Optional)
6. NHCP-LTCF Guidance for Conservation Planning Framework
7. Evaluation Criteria Table (Applications)
8. Example of Required Financial Project Audit (Final Reporting)

SMALL GRANTS

1. Small Grants – Guidelines (Year 3)
2. NHCP-LTCF Small Grant Funding Agreement Template – Year 3
3. Project Budget Template_Year 3 (Application)
4. Parcel Grid Template
5. Stewardship Endowment Calculator (Optional)
6. NHCP-LTCF Guidance for Conservation Planning Framework

Grant applications must be prepared and submitted through Wildlife Habitat Canada’s online grant system. Click here (new link) to access the logon page.

New users must create a new account to access the system. Please ensure you save your logon details. You can work on your application in stages using this system, save your progress and return at a later date to complete your submission. When you are ready to submit, please do so by clicking the “Submit” button.

If an applicant has applied to previously to NCC’s OQO Program or the NHCP-LTCF Program, the same username and password can be used to complete the Application Form.

The External Review Panel will be comprised of 3 to 6 advisors from across Canada who have extremely strong knowledge or experience in matters of land conservation and/or grant making in conservation.

Year 3 – External Review Panel geographic composition: 

• British Columbia
• Alberta
• Québec
• Ontario
• Atlantic Canada

External Review Panel members evaluate provided submissions based on a rubric and criteria developed by the CLTWG and WHC.

Congratulations to members of Canada’s land trust community receiving funding in the first year of the NHCP-LTCF program:

Congratulations to members of Canada’s land trust community receiving funding in the second year of the NHCP-LTCF program:

Congratulations to members of Canada’s land trust community receiving funding in the third year of the NHCP-LTCF program:

This list will be updated as funding agreements are signed