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 states 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.”

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.
        Note: successful applications with projects involving 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.

• Project implementation must comply with all relevant legislation, regulations, licenses, permits, etc.
• Year 2 projects must have a closing date between April 1, 2020 and December 15, 2020. If approved, LTCF funds must be spent on eligible project expenses incurred within the 2020-2021 fiscal year (April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021).
• The LTCF is a matching funds program, with a required match ratio of a minimum 2 : 1. This means that for every $1 of Program funds awarded, a minimum of $2 of matching funds from other non-federal government or private sources must also be contributed.
  • Associated project expenses that occurred between April 1, 2019 and March 31, 2021 (2 fiscal year period) can be applied to the project as matching funds (provided that the expenses were not paid for with other sources of Canadian federal funds).
  • Note: Projects requesting a Large Grant that have greater than a 2:1 match may be considered more favourably in the project selection process.
• 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. The amount of stewardship endowment required under the NHCP-LTCF is outlined in the guidelines.

The Small Grant program is primarily designed to cover associated costs for land securement projects (e.g., staff time, appraisal, legal fees, etc.), not including funds directly for land acquisition.

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.

* Applicants may submit additional Application Forms (projects); however, Application Forms over and above the maximum of two for immediate consideration will be added to the “waiting list.” Eligible waiting list projects will only be considered after the September 15, 2020 application deadline, if program funds have not been fully allocated at that time.

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.

Final Reporting: The deadline for finalizing WHC Project deliverables and submitting all final documentation to receive the final installment is February 3, 2021 at 8:00 pm (EST). 

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 2) (deadline for Year 2 Large Grant applications has passed.)
2. LTCF Funding Agreement Template_Year 2 (Large Grants)
3. Stewardship Endowment Calculator (Optional)
4. Guidance for Conservation Planning Framework
5. Evaluation Criteria Table (Applications)
6. Example of Required Financial Project Audit (Final Reporting)

SMALL GRANTS

1. NEW! Small Grants – Guidelines (Year 2)
2. LTCF Funding Agreement Template_Year 2 (Small Grants)

APPLICATION TEMPLATES

The following information must be completed and attached to your application form at the time of submission:

• Parcel Grid Template
• Year 2 – Small Grants, Project Budget Template (Application)

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 2 – External Review Panel geographic composition: 

• British Columbia
• Alberta
• Québec
• Atlantic Canada

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