
Land Trusts Conservation Fund
Natural Heritage Conservation Program – Land Trusts Conservation Fund
(NHCP-LTCF) Grant Programs


The NHCP-LTCF 2023-2026 is sorted into different streams of funding:
- Quick Grants Reimbursement Program (NEW) – Reimbursing third party costs associated with closed land securement projects between $5,000 and $10,000 each.
- Small Grants – Funding land securement costs between $5,000 and $50,000 each.
- Large Grants – Funding land securement costs between $50,001 and $1,000,000 each.
For further information on the three funding streams, please visit the links below for details.
The NHCP-LTCF Quick Grants Reimbursement Program is a new program launching July 14, 2023.
In order to be considered for the 2023-2024 NHCP-LTCF Quick Grants Reimbursement Program, completed Application Forms and required documentation are to be submitted between July 14, 2023 and December 1, 2023 at 8:00pm (ET). Prospective awardees, please review the Year 5 guidelines for deadlines and important dates below (subject to change).
NHCP-LTCF Quick Grants Reimbursement Program is meant to function as a means of reimbursement for eligible THIRD PARTY ASSOCIATED COSTS for eligible CLOSED projects. This program has been designed, to the best of our ability, with simplicity in mind.
A land trust may submit project proposals with funding asks between $5,000.00 and $10,000.00 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.
If you would like to be added to our email list to receive program announcements and updates, please email grants@whc.org.
NHCP-LTCF Quick Grants Reimbursement Program
Program Details
NHCP-LTCF Quick Grants Reimbursement Program is meant to function as a means of reimbursement for eligible THIRD PARTY ASSOCIATED COSTS for eligible CLOSED projects. This program has been designed, to the best of our ability, with simplicity in mind.
A land trust may submit project proposals with funding asks between $5,000.00 and $10,000.00 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.
Required Match: The NHCP-LTCF is a matching funds program, with a required match ratio of a minimum 1.5:1. 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, at the time of application
Project Financial Check: Applicants must provide WHC with a completed Financial Reporting Template at application 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 Quick Grants Reimbursement Program and the Funding Agreement. Successful applicants are required to maintain detailed records and supporting documentation associated with the project.
Project Eligibility
Year 5 2023-2024
This is a reimbursement program, for THIRD PARTY ASSOCIATED COSTS ONLY. Eligible expenses are limited to third party professional services associated with land securement, and are supported by fully paid invoices. These NHCP-LTCF funds CANNOT be used to reimburse purchase price/cost of fee simple or conservation agreement/easement(s) OR salaries/wages/travel/etc.
- Eligible projects must close between April 1, 2023 and date of application submission.
- Eligible project expenses will be those incurred between April 1, 2023 to date of application submission.
- Associated project expenses that occurred between April 1, 2022 to date of application submission.
- Eligible project expenses can be applied to the project as matching funds (provided that the expenses were not paid for with other sources of Canadian federal funds).
Grant Review Criteria
Applicants can submit multiple Quick Grant Reimbursement Program applications and may receive funding from more than one application per year. However, applicants are only eligible to receive funding (from one or multiple grants) for ONE PROJECT per year and any applications for additional projects will not be considered. WHC retains the right to reassess the application limit and readjust if required.
All Quick Grants Reimbursement Program applications (funding requests between $5,000.00 and $10,000.00)will be reviewed by Wildlife Habitat Canada in the following areas:
- Project and applicant eligibility;
- Match requirement;
- The project must be CLOSED by the time of application (a closing date between April 1, 2023 and date of application submission);
- Minimum project size: 5 hectares;
- Minimum matching funds ratio of 1.5:1;
“NHCP-LTCF funds are allowed to be combined with other Canadian federal funds on the same project, as long as funds went towards unique (separate) expenditures and other funding did not trigger counting of hectares.”
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.
All applicants will be notified as to the funding decision for their application. Successful applicants will receive a funding agreement form for signature.
Important Dates
Quick Grants Reimbursement applications
- NHCP-LTCF Quick Grants Reimbursement Program Guidelines (Year 5)
- Applications: July 14 2023 to December 1st 2023, or until all funds are allocated
- Reviewed by WHC: as received and based on time-stamp order
- Decision letters to applicants: approximately 4 weeks after the Application Form has been received and processed.
Prepare and Submit and Application Online
PREPARE AND SUBMIT YOUR GRANT APPLICATION ONLINE
Grant applications must be prepared and submitted through Wildlife Habitat Canada’s online grant system. Click here to access the login page.
The application form for Quick Grants Reimbursement Program can be viewed here . This form may be subject to change.
New users must create a new account to access the system. Please ensure you save your login 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 previously to NCC’s OQO Program or the NHCP-LTCF Program, the same username and password can be used to complete the Application Form.
To submit an application, all applicants must have read, acknowledged and agreed with the requirements of the Quick Grants Reimbursement Program Guidelines.
Successful applicants are expected to enter into a signed agreement with WHC regarding the exchange of funds. All applicants are expected to review the draft Funding Agreement prior to preparing and submitting an application.
NHCP-LTCF Small Grants Program
Application window is now closed.
In order to be considered for the 2023-2024 NHCP-LTCF Small Grants Program, completed Application Forms and required documentation are to be submitted between June 19, 2023 and September 14*, 2023 at 8:00pm (ET) *Extended from September 1, 2023. Prospective awardees, please review the Year 5 guidelines for deadlines and important dates below (subject to change).
To be eligible for funding in Year 5, projects must close between April 1, 2023 and *NEW* February 15, 2024.
If you would like to be added to our email list to receive program announcements and updates, please email grants@whc.org.
NHCP-LTCF Small Grants Program
Grant Background
The Government of Canada is investing a further $80 million to their initial $100 million investment (2019-2023), over the next 3 years in the Natural Heritage Conservation Program (from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2026) as a continuation of the Budget 2018’s Nature Legacy initiative. This funding will be shared by conservation partners including the Nature Conservancy of Canada, Ducks Unlimited Canada, and Canada’s community and regional land trusts.
The NHCP is a public-private partnership designed to advance privately protected areas in some of the country’s most cherished landscapes.
More specifically, the NHCP aims to achieve the following objectives:
- To contribute to the achievement of the terrestrial and inland water elements of Canada’s target of Canada’s 2020 Biodiversity Goals and Targets;
- To contribute to the protection of habitat for the recovery of Species at Risk Act (SARA) listed species at risk and the prevention of other species from becoming listed under SARA.
The Nature Conservancy of Canada, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Wildlife Habitat Canada and a variety of regional and local land trusts represented by the Alliance of Canadian Land Trusts are working together under the Natural Heritage Conservation Program to support these goals, with a commitment to protect an additional 15,000 hectares of habitat for species at risk.

Canada Target
This investment in nature is an important step in achieving Canada’s target of conserving a quarter of its lands and a quarter of its oceans by 2025, and toward conserving 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 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 WHC and the Applicant can be signed (WHC 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’s Target. 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.
For further information, see the overview of the Accounting for Protected and Other Conserved Areas.
Project Eligibility
Year 5 2023-2024
- Eligible projects must close between April 1, 2023 and *NEW* February 15, 2024.
- Eligible project expenses will be those incurred between April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024.
- Associated project expenses that occurred between April 1, 2022 and March 31, 2024 can be applied to the project as matching funds (provided that the expenses were not paid for with other sources of Canadian federal funds).
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply to the Land Trusts Conservation Program (LTCF), applicants must meet all the criteria below:
- Applicants must be a Canadian Land Trust*;
- Applicants must be a registered Canadian charity; and,
- Applicants must be in compliance or working towards substantial compliance with the Canadian Land Trust Standards and Practices (2019)** or Guide des bonnes pratiques en intendance privée: aspects juridiques et organisationnels, as demonstrated through a Board resolution or confirmed through an attestation by a senior officer of the organization. This includes, in particular, compliance or substantial compliance with Standards 8-12 which address the securement and stewarding of conservation lands.
* A Canadian Land Trust is defined as a not-for-profit conservation organization that, as all or part of its mission, actively works to conserve land by acquiring land or Conservation Agreements (or assisting with their acquisition) and/or stewarding/managing land or Conservation Agreements (CLT Standards & Practices 2019).
**The Canadian Land Trust Standards & Practices were revised in January 2019 and land trusts will be in a transition phase while adopting new practices. Land trusts are expected to be making significant progress towards the adoption of a Board resolution. Resolutions are expected to be filed with the appropriate Alliance, if applicable, and on-file with the land trust for review by WHC, upon request.
Program Details
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 $5,000.00 and $50,000.00 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. 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.
Grant Review Criteria
All Small Grant applications (funding requests between $5,000.00 and $50,000.00) 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.
All applicants will be notified as to the funding decision for their application. Successful applicants will receive a funding agreement from for signature.
Small Grants Important Documents
Small Grant Application Important Documents:
- Grant application login page
- Small Grants – Guidelines – Year 5)
- Communications Guidelines and Procedures for NHCP-LTCF
- Small Grants – Project Budget and Invoice (Installment 1)
- NHCP-LTCF Small Grants Funding Agreement Template – Year 5
- Project Budget Template_Year 5 (Application)
- Parcel Grid Template
- Stewardship Endowment Calculator (Optional)
- NHCP-LTCF Guidance for Conservation Planning Framework
- Small Grants – Financial Reporting template 2023-2024 (Final Reporting) *available later in the year
- NHCP-LTCF Attestation Letter Template_Small Grants (Final Reporting) *available later in the year
(subject to change)
Submit Your Reports and Documents Online
- Documents and reporting must be submitted through Wildlife Habitat Canada’s online grant system. Click here to access the login page.
- Click here to reference the HOW TO Complete the Final Report Form video
- For Small Grant awardees – Reference the HOW TO Complete the automated Financial Report Template video. Click here
Important Dates - Year 5
Project Dates: April 1, 2023 and *NEW* February 15, 2024 (closing)
Small Grant applications * Now Open
- NHCP-LTCF Small Grants Guidelines – Year 5: Launching mid-June
- Applications: mid-June 2023 to September 2023, or until all funds are allocated
- Reviewed by WHC: as received and based on time-stamp order
- Decision letters to applicants: approximately 4 weeks after the Application Form has been received and processed.
- Final Reporting: March 31, 2024
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 Grant program).
Successful applicants are expected to enter into a signed agreement with WHC regarding the exchange of funds. All applicants are expected to review the draft Funding Agreement prior to preparing and submitting an application. All awardees of the NHCP-LTCF (Large or Small Grant program) must complete the Final Reporting Form, in full, by the deadline.
Current Awardee Information
Canadian federal government contributions cannot be used as matching funds under the NHCP-LTCF program. This includes any COVID-19 federal subsidies (such as the Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy).
Year 5 Project Dates: April 1st, 2023 and February 15th, 2024 (closing)
Small grant projects:
- Decision letters to applicants: approximately 4 weeks after the Application Form has been received and processed.
- Mid-project milestones: September 1st, 2023, November 1st, 2023, January 15th 2024
- Final Reporting: March 31, 2024
NHCP-LTCF Large Grants Program
Application window is now closed.
The 2023-2024 NHCP-LTCF Large Grants application period is now closed. In order to be considered, completed Application Forms and required documentation are to be submitted between March 15, 2023 and April 17, 2023 at 8:00pm (ET). Prospective awardees, please review the Year 5 guidelines for deadlines and important dates below (subject to change).
The 2024-2025 NHCP-LTCF Large Grants application period will open in spring 2024.
If you would like to be added to our email list to receive program announcements and updates, please email grants@whc.org.
NHCP-LTCF Large Grants Program
Grant Background
The Government of Canada is investing a further $80 million to their initial $100 million investment (2019-2023), over the next 3 years in the Natural Heritage Conservation Program (from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2026) as a continuation of the Budget 2018’s Nature Legacy initiative. This funding will be shared by conservation partners including the Nature Conservancy of Canada, Ducks Unlimited Canada, and Canada’s community and regional land trusts.
The NHCP is a public-private partnership designed to advance privately protected areas in some of the country’s most cherished landscapes.
More specifically, the NHCP aims to achieve the following objectives:
- To contribute to the achievement of the terrestrial and inland water elements of Canada’s target of Canada’s 2020 Biodiversity Goals and Targets;
- To contribute to the protection of habitat for the recovery of Species at Risk Act (SARA) listed species at risk and the prevention of other species from becoming listed under SARA.
The Nature Conservancy of Canada, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Wildlife Habitat Canada and a variety of regional and local land trusts represented by the Alliance of Canadian Land Trusts are working together under the Natural Heritage Conservation Program to support these goals, with a commitment to protect an additional 15,000 hectares of habitat for species at risk.

Canada Target
This investment in nature is an important step in achieving Canada’s target of conserving a quarter of its lands and a quarter of its oceans by 2025, and toward conserving 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 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 WHC and the Applicant can be signed (WHC 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’s Target. 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.
For further information, see the overview of the Accounting for Protected and Other Conserved Areas.
Program Details
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.
Per program year, applicants are permitted to submit one project per Application Form with a funding ask between NEW* $50,001.00 and $1,000,000.00. NEW* Applicants may choose to submit up to 3 Large Grant project Application Forms with a combined total ask of up to $1,250,000.00/ per organization (this would require that an application be submitted for each proposed project), or a single Large Grant project for a minimum ask of $50,001.00 and maximum ask of $1,000,000.00.
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. 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.
For first installment, Awardees will be required to submit an attestation signed by a senior officer confirming the total match value of the project, that all matching funds are in place and that no other sources of Canadian federal government funds have been used as Cash match or In-Kind matching funds.
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.
Project Eligibility
Large and Small Grants program: Year 5 2023-2024
- Eligible projects must close between April 1, 2023 and *NEW* February 15, 2024.
- Eligible project expenses will be those incurred between April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024.
- Associated project expenses that occurred between April 1, 2022 and March 31, 2024 can be applied to the project as matching funds (provided that the expenses were not paid for with other sources of Canadian federal funds).
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply to the Land Trusts Conservation Program (LTCF), applicants must meet all the criteria below:
- Applicants must be a Canadian Land Trust*;
- Applicants must be a registered Canadian charity; and,
- Applicants must be in compliance or working towards substantial compliance with the Canadian Land Trust Standards and Practices (2019)** or Guide des bonnes pratiques en intendance privée: aspects juridiques et organisationnels, as demonstrated through a Board resolution or confirmed through an attestation by a senior officer of the organization. This includes, in particular, compliance or substantial compliance with Standards 8-12 which address the securement and stewarding of conservation lands.
* A Canadian Land Trust is defined as a not-for-profit conservation organization that, as all or part of its mission, actively works to conserve land by acquiring land or Conservation Agreements (or assisting with their acquisition) and/or stewarding/managing land or Conservation Agreements (CLT Standards & Practices 2019).
**The Canadian Land Trust Standards & Practices were revised in January 2019 and land trusts will be in a transition phase while adopting new practices. Land trusts are expected to be making significant progress towards the adoption of a Board resolution. Resolutions are expected to be filed with the appropriate Alliance, if applicable, and on-file with the land trust for review by WHC, upon request.
Grant Review Criteria
Per program year, applicants are permitted to submit one project per Application Form with a funding ask between NEW* $50,001.00 and $1,000,000.00. NEW* Applicants may choose to submit up to 3 Large Grant project Application Forms with a combined total ask of up to $1,250,000.00/ per organization (this would require that an application be submitted for each proposed project), or a single Large Grant project for a minimum ask of $50,001.00 and maximum ask of $1,000,000.00.
A project is defined as a parcel or grouping of parcels that may or may not share the same landowner (see multiple ownership below):
- sharing the same conservation objectives (see below);
- clearly contributing to Canada’s Target (i.e., can be counted as Protected Areas or Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures); and,
- consisting of either conservation agreements or fee simple acquisition or a combination thereof.
NOTE: Proposed projects that do not consist of traditional fee simple or conservation agreement transaction or conservation mechanism, may be considered on a case by case basis and would require ECCC approval. Contact WHC staff in advance of application submission to review.
Shared and mutually beneficial conservation objectives may include:
- Where parcels occur in a cluster, connectivity/continuity of protected lands, providing increased ecosystem integrity and risk mitigation for climate change or as key wildlife corridors.
- Where parcels are more geographically dispersed, intact habitat for a particular species-at-risk or protection of rare ecosystem types, priority habitats or protection of key stopover points on migratory pathways.
Notes:
- Eligible projects must have a closing date between April 1st, 2023 and February 15th, 2024.
- Land trusts are expected to commit to protecting the number of hectares presented in the application, regardless of the number of landowners or parcels.
- NEW* If an awarded project fails to close successfully by January 15, 2024, the awardee will be required to attest to a 95% confidence that close will complete by February 15, 2024. They will also be required to expand on projects risks for WHC’s information.
Note: Projects that do not close by January 15, 2024 may be at risk of forfeiting LTCF award, in part or in full.
Applicants
Applicants are permitted to submit one project per Application Form between *NEW* $50,001 and $1,000,000. Applicants may choose to submit up to 3 Large Grant project Application Forms with a combined total ask of up to *NEW* $1,250,000.00/per organization (this would require that an application be submitted for each proposed project), or a single Large Grant project for a minimum ask of $50,001.00 and maximum ask of $1,000,000.00.Required Match: The NHCP-LTCF is a matching funds program, with a required match ratio of a minimum 1.5:1. 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: The amount of stewardship endowment required under the NHCP-LTCF is outlined in the guidelines.
Project Audit: Successful applicants must have a financial audit completed on the project by an external Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA). A copy of the audit must be received by WHC by the final reporting deadline.
Audit cost and payment: Note that the cost of the audit will be covered outside of awarded NHCP-LTCF funds, and therefore the audit cost should not be included in your NHCP-LTCF funding ask. Successful applicants must provide a realistic project audit estimate to WHC within one-month of funding approval. Common audit pricing on land acquisition projects is normally in the range of $500 to $6,000; however, only the amount noted on the third-party audit invoice will be paid. *NEW* Payment of the audit invoice will be made by WHC, following WHC’s receipt and approval of the project’s financial audit and final reporting (2% or less of the total LTCF award to a maximum of $5000).
Application Process
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 Grant program).
Successful proponents are expected to enter into a signed agreement with WHC regarding the exchange of funds. All applicants are expected to review the draft Funding Agreement prior to preparing and submitting an application.
All awardees of the NHCP-LTCF (Large or Small Grant program) must complete the Final Reporting Form, in full, by the deadline.
Reference the following documents prior to preparing and submitting an application:
LARGE GRANTS
-
- Large Grants – Guidelines – Year 5 (*subject to change)
- LTCF Funding Agreement Template_Year 5 (Large Grants)(subject to change)
- Project Budget Template – Year 5 (Application)
- Parcel Grid Template
- Stewardship Endowment Calculator (Optional)
- NHCP-LTCF Guidance for Conservation Planning Framework
- Evaluation Criteria Table (Applications)
- Example of Required Financial Project Audit (Final Reporting)
Large Grants Important Documents
Large Grant Application Important Documents:
-
- Large Grants – Guidelines (Year 5)
- Communications Guidelines and Procedures for NHCP-LTCF
- Project Budget Template_Year 5 (Application)
- NHCP-LTCF_Example for Financial Project Audit (Final Reporting)
- NHCP_LTCF Financial Reporting_LRG Grants (Final Reporting) *available later in the year
*Subject to Change
Prepare and Submit Your Grant Application Online
Documents and reporting must be submitted through Wildlife Habitat Canada’s online grant system. Click here (new link) to access the login page.
Click here to view the HOW TO Complete the Final Report Form video.
A draft application form for Large Grants can be viewed here. This draft may be subject to change.
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.
External Review Panel
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 5 – 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.
Current Awardee Information
Canadian federal government contributions cannot be used as matching funds under the NHCP-LTCF program. This includes any COVID-19 federal subsidies (such as the Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy).
Year 5 – Project Dates: April 1st, 2023 and February 15th, 2024 (closing)
Dates and Deadlines
- Decision letters to applicants: ~May 2023
- Mid-Project Milestones: September 1st, 2023, November 1st, 2023, January 15th 2024
- Final Reporting: March 31, 2024
Capacity Building Services
The Ontario Land Trust Alliance, the Land Trust Alliance of British Columbia, the Réseau de milieux naturels protégés and the Alliance of Canadian Land Trusts are working collectively to provide capacity building services to support land trusts in successfully engaging with the Land Trusts Conservation Fund (LTCF) by:
- Assisting land trusts in adherence to the Canadian Land Trust Standards and Practices 2019 and/or Guide des bonnes pratiques en intendance privée: aspects juridiques et organisationnels; and,
- Providing technical support to land trusts with regards to LTCF priorities such as Conservation Planning, Pathway to Target, Record Keeping, and Land Management.
If this support is of interest to you and you have not already done so, we encourage you to contact your regional representative directly:
- Jessica Obodoechi, Education and Training Manager– Ontario Land Trust Alliance (supporting land trusts in Ontario and Atlantic Canada – English speaking)
- Brice Caillié, Director General, – Réseau de milieux naturels protégés (supporting land trusts in Québec and Atlantic Canada – French speaking)
- Paul McNair, Executive Director – the Land Trust Alliance of British Columbia (supporting land trusts in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan)
- Renata Woodward, Executive Director – The Alliance of Canadian Land Trusts (supporting land trusts nationally
Funded Projects
Interactive Map of LTCF Projects Across Canada
Click on each of the provinces to learn about projects that have been supported across Canada » » »

Yukon
There are no projects in this territory.
Northwest Territories
There are no projects in this territory.
Nunavut
There are no projects in this territory.
Newfoundland and Labrador
There are no projects in this province.
Manitoba
There are no projects in this province.
Saskatchewan
There are no projects in this province.
Land Trusts Conservation Fund
Year 1 (2019-2020)
Organization / Organisation | Project / Projet | Province | Program / Programme |
BC Parks Foundation | Princess Louisa Inlet Addition | British Columbia Colombie-Britannique |
NHCP-LTCF Large Grant PCPN-FPOC Subvention Importante |
Bruce Trail Conservancy | River & Ruin Nature Reserve | Ontario | NHCP-LTCF Large Grant PCPN-FPOC Subvention Importante |
Valley East Nature Reserve | Ontario | NHCP-LTCF Large Grant PCPN-FPOC Subvention Importante |
|
Comité regional pour la protection des falaises (CRPF) | Terrain Bergeron | Québec | NHCP-LTCF Small Grant PCPN-FPOC Petite Subvention |
Corridor Appalachien | Protection du mont Foster par l’acquisition de Sud Participation Canada Inc. | Québec | NHCP-LTCF Large Grant PCPN-FPOC Subvention Importante |
Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy | Orlowski-Rankin River |
Ontario | NHCP-LTCF Small Grant PCPN-FPOC Petite Subvention |
Trafelet | Ontario | NHCP-LTCF Small Grant PCPN-FPOC Petite Subvention |
|
Fondation SÉTHY | Don d’une portion d’un terrain en milieu privé dans la tourbière de Saint-Joachim-de-Shefford | Québec | NHCP-LTCF Small Grant PCPN-FPOC Petite Subvention |
Georgian Bay Land Trust | Hudson Easement | Ontario | NHCP-LTCF Small Grant PCPN-FPOC Petite Subvention |
Héritage Plein Air du Nord | Acquisitions famille Parent |
Québec | NHCP-LTCF Small Grant PCPN-FPOC Petite Subvention |
Kawartha Land Trust | Fell Property | Ontario | NHCP-LTCF Small Grant PCPN-FPOC Petite Subvention |
Land Conservancy for Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington | Millen | Ontario | NHCP-LTCF Small Grant PCPN-FPOC Petite Subvention |
Mast van Dongen Nature Reserve | Ontario | NHCP-LTCF Small Grant PCPN-FPOC Petite Subvention |
|
Nature-Action Québec | Consolidation de la protection de la tourbière Red Mill à Trois-Rivières – Acquisition du lot Vaillancourt | Québec | NHCP-LTCF Large Grant PCPN-FPOC Subvention Importante |
Consolidation de la protection de la tourbière Red Mill à Trois-Rivières – Acquisition du lot Béliveau | Québec | NHCP-LTCF Large Grant PCPN-FPOC Subvention Importante |
|
Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust | Beeton Heritage Forest | Ontario | NHCP-LTCF Large Grant PCPN-FPOC Subvention Importante |
Kamstra | Ontario | NHCP-LTCF Small Grant PCPN-FPOC Petite Subvention |
|
Ontario Farmland Trust | Robson | Ontario | NHCP-LTCF Small Grant PCPN-FPOC Petite Subvention |
Copeland | Ontario | NHCP-LTCF Small Grant PCPN-FPOC Petite Subvention |
|
Ontario Nature | Lake Gananoque & Lost Bay | Ontario | NHCP-LTCF Large Grant PCPN-FPOC Subvention Importante |
Regroupement pour la pérennité de l’île Verte | Projet Grenon | Québec | NHCP-LTCF Small Grant PCPN-FPOC Petite Subvention |
Southern Alberta Land Trust Society | Paton | Alberta | NHCP-LTCF Large Grant PCPN-FPOC Subvention Importante |
Bar15Ranch | Alberta | NHCP-LTCF Large Grant PCPN-FPOC Subvention Importante |
|
Thames Talbot Land Trust | Protection of high priority lands in Skunk’s Misery Natural Area | Ontario | NHCP-LTCF Large Grant PCPN-FPOC Subvention Importante |
The Couchiching Conservancy | Pitts Acquisition Project | Ontario | NHCP-LTCF Large Grant PCPN-FPOC Subvention Importante |
The Whitney Wetland Nature Reserve | Ontario | NHCP-LTCF Small Grant PCPN-FPOC Petite Subvention |
|
The Land Conservancy of British Columbia | Clearwater Ancient Swamp and Wildlife Corridor | British Columbia Colombie-Britannique |
NHCP-LTCF Large Grant PCPN-FPOC Subvention Importante |
The Nature Trust of British Columbia | Princeton Grasslands – Phase 1 | British Columbia Colombie-Britannique |
NHCP-LTCF Large Grant PCPN-FPOC Subvention Importante |
Columbia River Wetlands – Edgewater | British Columbia Colombie-Britannique |
NHCP-LTCF Small Grant PCPN-FPOC Petite Subvention |
|
The Nature Trust of New Brunswick | Extending Minister’s Face Nature Preserve on Long Island | New Brunswick Nouveau-Brunswick |
NHCP-LTCF Large Grant PCPN-FPOC Subvention Importante |
Nova Scotia Nature Trust | Lime Hill Conservation Lands Expansion | Nova Scotia Nouvelle-Écosse |
NHCP-LTCF Large Grant PCPN-FPOC Subvention Importante |
Year 2 (2020-2021)
Organization/Organisation | Project/Projet | Province | Program/Programme |
Bruce Trail Conservancy | Cannings Falls Nature Reserve | Ontario | NHCP-LTCF Large Grant PCPN-FPOC Subvention Importante |
BC Parks Foundation | Ballenas-Winchelsea Archipelago (West Ballenas addition) | British Columbia Colombie-Britannique |
NHCP-LTCF Large Grant PCPN-FPOC Subvention Importante |
Corridor appalachien | Consolidation du noyau de conservation du mont Chagnon – Projet 1 | Québec | NHCP-LTCF Large Grant PCPN-FPOC Subvention Importante |
Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy | Bartram | Ontario | NHCP-LTCF Small Grant PCPN-FPOC Petite Subvention |
Hobson Little Pike Bay | Ontario | NHCP-LTCF Small Grant PCPN-FPOC Petite Subvention |
|
Fiducie de conservation des écosystème de Launaudière | Acquisition de la propriété Boulanger | Québec | NHCP-LTCF Small Grant PCPN-FPOC Petite Subvention |
Acquisition de la propriété Rouleau | Québec | NHCP-LTCF Small Grant PCPN-FPOC Petite Subvention |
|
Georgian Bay Land Trust
|
Rose Island Nature Reserve | Ontario | NHCP-LTCF Large Grant PCPN-FPOC Subvention Importante |
Project 2 | Ontario | NHCP-LTCF Small Grant PCPN-FPOC Petite Subvention |
|
Halpenny Easement | Ontario | NHCP-LTCF Small Grant PCPN-FPOC Petite Subvention |
|
Habitat Acquisition Trust | Coastal Douglas Fir Parkland Expansion | British Columbia Colombie-Britannique |
NHCP-LTCF Large Grant PCPN-FPOC Subvention Importante |
Island Nature Trust | Fortune Bridge – Penny’s Point Natural Area | Prince Edward Island Île-du-Prince-Édouard |
NHCP-LTCF Small Grant PCPN-FPOC Petite Subvention |
Vernon | Prince Edward Island Île-du-Prince-Édouard |
NHCP-LTCF Small Grant PCPN-FPOC Petite Subvention |
|
Nature-Action Québec
|
Acquisition Brouillette | Québec | NHCP-LTCF Small Grant PCPN-FPOC Petite Subvention |
Consolidation de la protection du Mont Yamaska – Acquisition Senay | Québec | NHCP-LTCF Small Grant PCPN-FPOC Petite Subvention |
|
Nova Scotia Nature Trust | Blue Mountain Wilderness Connector | Nova Scotia Nouvelle-Écosse |
NHCP-LTCF Large Grant PCPN-FPOC Subvention Importante |
Project 2 | Nova Scotia Nouvelle-Écosse |
NHCP-LTCF Small Grant PCPN-FPOC Petite Subvention |
|
Ontario Farmland Trust | Hudson Property | Ontario | NHCP-LTCF Small Grant PCPN-FPOC Petite Subvention |
rare Charitable Research Reserve
|
Southgate Property | Ontario | NHCP-LTCF Small Grant PCPN-FPOC Petite Subvention |
Reiner Property | Ontario | NHCP-LTCF Small Grant PCPN-FPOC Petite Subvention |
|
Darmon | Ontario | NHCP-LTCF Small Grant PCPN-FPOC Petite Subvention |
|
Southern Alberta Land Trust Society
|
Project 1 | Alberta | NHCP-LTCF Large Grant PCPN-FPOC Subvention Importante |
Project 2 | Alberta | NHCP-LTCF Large Grant PCPN-FPOC Subvention Importante |
|
Southern Interior Land Trust Society | Bighorn Sheep Grassland – PH ll | British Columbia Colombie-Britannique |
NHCP-LTCF Small Grant PCPN-FPOC Petite Subvention |
Thames Talbot Land Trust | Meadow Woods | Ontario | NHCP-LTCF Small Grant PCPN-FPOC Petite Subvention |
Five Points | Ontario | NHCP-LTCF Small Grant PCPN-FPOC Petite Subvention |
|
The Land Conservancy of British Columbia | Millstream Creek Watershed | British Columbia Colombie-Britannique |
NHCP-LTCF Large Grant PCPN-FPOC Subvention Importante |
The Nature Trust of British Columbia
|
Salmon River Estuary-Tidal Slough | British Columbia Colombie-Britannique |
NHCP-LTCF Large Grant PCPN-FPOC Subvention Importante |
Princeton Grasslands-Phase ll | British Columbia Colombie-Britannique |
NHCP-LTCF Large Grant PCPN-FPOC Subvention Importante |
|
Marsden | British Columbia Colombie-Britannique |
NHCP-LTCF Small Grant PCPN-FPOC Petite Subvention |
|
Breton Island | British Columbia Colombie-Britannique |
NHCP-LTCF Small Grant PCPN-FPOC Petite Subvention |
|
The Nature Trust of New Brunswick
|
Creating a network of protected areas in Bocabec, NB, by protecting properties in the vicinity of Caughey-Taylor Nature Preserve | New Brunswick Nouveau-Brunswick |
NHCP-LTCF Small Grant PCPN-FPOC Petite Subvention |
Project 2 | New Brunswick Nouveau-Brunswick |
NHCP-LTCF Small Grant PCPN-FPOC Petite Subvention |
|
Thunder Bay Field Naturalist Club | Granite Point Nature Reserve Addition | Ontario | NHCP-LTCF Large Grant PCPN-FPOC Subvention Importante |
Year 3 (2021-2022)
This list will be updated as funding agreements are signed
Organization/ Organisation |
Project/ Projet |
Province | Program/ Programme |
Appalachian Corridor | Projet 1 | Québec | NHCP-LTCF Large Grant PCPN-FPOC Subvention Importante |
Denman Conservancy Association | Pickles | British Columbia Colombie-Britannique |
NHCP-LTCF Large Grant PCPN-FPOC Subvention Importante |
Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy | Heaven’s Gate | Ontario | NHCP-LTCF Large Grant PCPN-FPOC Subvention Importante |
Ontario Nature | MacSorely | Ontario | NHCP-LTCF Large Grant PCPN-FPOC Subvention Importante |
Galiano Conservancy Association | Galiano | British Columbia Colombie-Britannique |
NHCP-LTCF Large Grant PCPN-FPOC Subvention Importante |
Nova Scotia Nature Trust | Port la Tour | Nova Scotia Nouvelle-Écosse |
NHCP-LTCF Large Grant PCPN-FPOC Subvention Importante |
Central Okanagan Land Trust | Parkland | British Columbia Colombie-Britannique |
NHCP-LTCF Large Grant PCPN-FPOC Subvention Importante |
Ontario Farmland Trust | Douglas-Bourgeois Property | Ontario | NHCP-LTCF Small Grant PCPN-FPOC Petite subvention |
Ontario Farmland Trust | Farrow Property | Ontario | NHCP-LTCF Small Grant PCPN-FPOC Petite Subvention |
Mississippi Madawaska Land Trust | Ramsay Nature Reserve | Ontario | NHCP-LTCF Small Grant PCPN-FPOC Petite Subvention |
Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust | Windy Reach | Ontario | NHCP-LTCF Small Grant PCPN-FPOC Petite Subvention |
Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust | Fern Hill Farm | Ontario | NHCP-LTCF Small Grant PCPN-FPOC Petite Subvention |
Thunder Bay Field Naturalists Club | Pictured Lake Addition | Ontario | NHCP-LTCF Small Grant PCPN-FPOC Petite Subvention |
Huronia Land Conservancy | Marshall Nature Reserve | Ontario | NHCP-LTCF Small Grant PCPN-FPOC Petite Subvention |
Thames Talbot Land Trust | Wachner Nature Preserve | Ontario | NHCP-LTCF Small Grant PCPN-FPOC Petite Subvention |
Comité régional pour la protection des falaises (CRPF) | Terrains Arcaro 2021 | Québec | NHCP-LTCF Small Grant PCPN-FPOC Petite Subvention |
Kawartha Land Trust | Nogies Creek Wetland | Ontario | NHCP-LTCF Small Grant PCPN-FPOC Petite Subvention |
Kawartha Land Trust | Weldon Wetland | Ontario | NHCP-LTCF Small Grant PCPN-FPOC Petite Subvention |
rare Charitable Research Reserve | Edgewood | Ontario | NHCP-LTCF Small Grant PCPN-FPOC Petite Subvention |
Thames Talbot Land Trust | Prairie Remnant | Ontario | NHCP-LTCF Small Grant PCPN-FPOC Petite Subvention |
The Nature Trust of New Brunswick | Cork MacDonald | New Brunswick Nouveau-Brunswick |
NHCP-LTCF Small Grant PCPN-FPOC Petite Subvention |
Regroupement pour la pérennité de l’ile Verte | Projet Chouinard | Québec | NHCP-LTCF Small Grant PCPN-FPOC Petite Subvention |
Conservation des vallons de la Serpentine | Bolduc-Casavant | Québec | NHCP-LTCF Small Grant PCPN-FPOC Petite Subvention |
Year 4 (2022-2023)
This list will be updated as funding agreements are signed.
Organization/ Organisation |
Project/ Projet |
Province | Program/ Programme |
Nature Trust British Columbia | Saturna Island Bluffs | British Columbia Colombie-Britannique |
NHCP-LTCF Large Grant PCPN-FPOC Subvention Importante |
Salt Spring Island Conservancy | Creekside Rainforest | British Columbia Colombie-Britannique |
NHCP-LTCF Large Grant PCPN-FPOC Subvention Importante |
Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy | Green Point (addition south) | Ontario | NHCP-LTCF Large Grant PCPN-FPOC Subvention Importante |
Southern Alberta Land Trust Society | Copithorne/Morkin Farms/Kumlin | Alberta | NHCP-LTCF Large Grant PCPN-FPOC Subvention Importante |
Western Sky Land Trust | Will Farms Ltd. | Alberta | NHCP-LTCF Large Grant PCPN-FPOC Subvention Importante |
Thames Talbot Land Trust | Five Points Forest – Charlton nature reserve | Ontario | NHCP-LTCF Large Grant PCPN-FPOC Subvention Importante |
Raincoast Conservation Foundation | KELÁ_EKE Kingfisher Forest | British Columbia Colombie-Britannique |
NHCP-LTCF Large Grant PCPN-FPOC Subvention Importante |
Kiyooka Land Trust Foundation | Robson Valley Riparian Wetlands | British Columbia Colombie-Britannique |
NHCP-LTCF Large Grant PCPN-FPOC Subvention Importante |
Conservation Lakefield | Vieille Forêt Lakefield | Québec | NHCP-LTCF Large Grant PCPN-FPOC Subvention Importante |
Action Chelsea Respect for the Environment | Forêt Jolicoeur-McMartin | Québec | NHCP-LTCF Large Grant PCPN-FPOC Subvention Importante |