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What We Do
Habitat Stewardship in the Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys, wetland restoration project 2015/2016
We support conservation initiatives for wildlife and their habitats. Our grant program has been providing funds that support habitat restoration, enhancement and protection all over Canada since 1985.
Our mandate is to provide financial assistance to conservation projects and initiatives related to waterfowl and migratory birds’ management based on our agreement with Environment and Climate Change Canada.
We are members of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan and strive to improve and enhance the state of migratory birds and their habitats in Canada.
As members of various international and national conservation committees and councils, our aim is to impact the decisions that directly affect biodiversity in wildlife and habitats as part of the solutions to climate change.
Projects in Action
Wildlife Habitat Canada has provided over $62 million in grants to more than 1,600 habitat conservation projects across Canada since the development of the program in 1985. Our work with communities, landowners, governments, non-government organizations and industry has leveraged additional funds for conservation issues, roughly $150 million invested.
Our grants are divided into four separate categories
Conservation Networking Grants
(Wetland Education and/or Hunter Recruitment/Education)
Advocacy for Wildlife
Wildlife Habitat Canada is actively involved in providing sound counsel and collaboration on a number of committees and national councils for the betterment of conservation policy in Canada and North America.
North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP)
An international partnership to conserve waterfowl populations and sustainable landscape.
North American Wetlands Conservation Council (NAWCC) – CANADA
Provides leadership in wetland policies and implementation of NAWMP
The Green Budget Coalition
Presents analysis and recommendations for the most pressing environmental issues in Canada
The Canadian Wetlands Roundtable
The partnership of ENGOs and the government focused on implementing a National Wetland Conservation Strategy through policy development
North American Bird Conservation Initiative (NABCI Canada)
Coordinated efforts and management of initiatives to ensure the protection and restoration of North America’s birds and their habitats
The Canadian Habitat Joint Ventures
The four Canadian Habitat Joint Ventures integrate planning, science, governance, partnerships and management to achieve NAWMP goals in Canada through a programmatic approach.
Prairie Habitat Joint Venture »
Eastern Habitat Joint Venture »
Pacific Birds Habitat Joint Venture (PBHJV) »
The Canadian Intermountain Joint Venture (CIJV) »
Wetlands and Waterfowl
At WHC, we consider wetlands to be some of the most productive ecosystems on the planet.
Through advocacy and our grant program, our conservation efforts are focused on the future of waterfowl and other migratory birds and their habitats.
As a part of an on-going partnership with ECCC, we invest funds from the Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp to protect and conserve wetlands and waterfowl.
What is a wetland?
- Wetlands are land that is temporarily or permanently covered with shallow water. Types of wetlands include marshes, swamps, and bogs, each with its own defining characteristics.
- Wetlands are sometimes referred to as “nature’s kidneys” because they filter the excess nutrients, sediment and pollutants from our water.
Did you know...?
- Canada is home to 23% of the world’s wetlands, which cover 14% of the country’s land area.
- The Prairie Pothole Region, approximately 715 000 km² of land stretching across the southern Prairie provinces and across the Dakotas, Iowa, Minnesota and Montana, is some of the most productive habitat for waterfowl in North America. Millions of waterfowl breed in the area annually.
- Wetlands are able to store excess water which reduces the risk and severity of flooding. Wetlands slow the flow of the water; store excess water then release this water back into the ground where it becomes a source of drinking water for people. 5 Things You Should Know About Wetlands
- In the last 100 years, most of wetland losses globally are due to draining activities to convert land for agriculture or development. Astonishing Facts About Wetlands
- Coastal wetlands act as a natural protective buffer from extreme weather systems such as hurricanes. Inland wetlands act as a natural sponge, absorbing and storing excess rainfall. During the dry season, they release the stored water, delaying the onset of droughts and reducing water shortages. Wetlands Day
- Wetlands are amongst the earth’s top carbon stores. By conserving and restoring wetlands we can reduce carbon emissions and increase our capacity to adapt to climate change. Why Wetlands Matter
Importance of wetlands
- improve water quality by filtering sediments and pollutants;
- reduce flood damage and erosion by slowing run-off and absorbing the impact of high water levels and large waves;
- provide important food and habitat for many species of wildlife;
- slow the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere by retaining carbon;
- offer recreational opportunities for hunting, fishing and birdwatching.
Wetland loss
Waterfowl
Wildlife Habitat Canada works to ensure that the protection of migratory birds and waterfowl remains a vital part of conservation efforts in Canada.
What is a Waterfowl?
Waterfowl is the general term used for members of the Anatidae family, which is made up of ducks, geese and swans.
A Waterfowl is a bird that frequents water and is distinguished from an upland bird or shorebird.
Did You Know?
- A century ago the overuse of natural resources was the norm. The growing demand for birds exceeded what their populations could sustain. In response, the conservation movement started and one of the first international treaties on wildlife conservation was born.
- Since its signing in 1916, the Canada-United States Migratory Birds Convention has aimed to regulate the hunting of birds and ensure the preservation [of such birds] as are useful to man or are harmless.
- 2016 marked the centennial of the Convention for the protection of migratory birds. The Migratory Birds Convention laid the foundation for the conservation of birds that migrate across international borders.
- Legislation enacted in 1917 implemented the Convention in Canada by protecting migrating birds for their nutritional, social, cultural, spiritual, ecological, economic, and aesthetic value.
The Prairies support the highest density of breeding waterfowl in Canada and provide critical stopover sites for migrating waterfowl and shorebirds.
In the Eastern Boreal forest, waterfowl and other water bird populations have increased slightly relative to 1970.
Some species, such as the Hooded Merganser, Sandhill Crane and Canada Goose, have shown substantial increases of more than 100%.
Other species, such as the American Bittern and Common Goldeneye, have declined strongly.
The Western Boreal forest plays a critical role in supporting continental bird populations of many species of songbirds, water birds and waterfowl.
In drought years, many of the ducks that typically breed in the Prairie Region move to the Western Boreal.
Wildlife Values Report
In 2020, Colorado State University, with the support of a team of international investigators, embarked on a research initiative leading a global assessment of peoples’ values toward wildlife – the Global Wildlife Values effort. Data was collected via online surveys administered in 9 provinces in 2021. The Canadian Wildlife Values Report is a cumulative presentation of the research findings, produced in collaboration by Colorado State University, the Canadian Wildlife Directors Committee and Wildlife Habitat Canada.
The long-term objective of this study is to collect values information to explain the social context of wildlife management and what informs people’s attitude and approach to conservation. Understanding the wildlife values will “help in addressing the growing social conflict over wildlife-related issues, inform policy solutions, facilitate collaborative conservation efforts, and aid in the overall planning for the future of wildlife conservation and management within and across nations.”
Primary Topics
- Canada’s Wildlife Values
- Mutualist, Pluralist, Traditionalist and other perspectives
- Understanding Change in Wildlife Values
- The influence of modernization and urbanization
- Perceptions of the Environment
- Prioritization of environmental protection
- Attitudes towards Wildlife Management
- Range in support for wildlife management action
- Participation in Wildlife-Related Recreation
- Involvement in hunting, fishing, and other outdoor activities
- Trust in Government Authorities
- Confidence in the Canadian Government to care for the wellbeing of wildlife