Through Partnership 2016-2017
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2016-2017 CONSERVATION IMPACT THROUGH PARTNERSHIP THE NATURAL AREAS CONSERVATION PROGRAM TABLE OF CONTENTS About the Nature Conservancy of Canada The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is Canada’s leading national, private land conservation organization. We protect and care for our most ecologically significant lands and waters and the species they sustain. Our science-based conservation planning process drives our work. We partner with individuals, governments, Indigenous communities, corporations and others to achieve durable conservation solutions. We secure properties through donation, purchase, conservation agreement and the relinquishment of other legal interests, and manage them for the long term. Since 1962, NCC and our partners have helped conserve more than 1.1 million hectares (2.8 million acres) of ecologically significant land from coast to coast. A Partnership for Conservation 03 Natural Areas Conservation Program 04 10 Years of NACP Success 05 Species at Risk 06 Connecting Protected Areas 08 Migratory Bird Habitat 10 Projects Conserved Under the Natural Areas Conservation Program 12 Water 14 Grasslands 16 Forests 18 Supporting the Land Trust Community 20 Caring for the Future 22 2 NACP IMPACT REPORT 2016-2017 A PARTNERSHIP FOR CONSERVATION This year, as we measure The Government of the impact of the Natural Canada is proud to Areas Conservation partner with the Nature Conservancy of Canada Program (NACP), we’re (NCC) to conserve lands taking a moment to look that protect and preserve back on what has been our biodiversity. accomplished under this Canada is blessed with unique public-private natural wealth that has partnership. After 10 shaped our culture and years, we’re pleased to communities — from be able to celebrate the abundant and clean water, conservation of more to fresh air, vast lands and incredible coasts. This than 430,000 hectares year, as we celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation, (1 million acres) of significant habitat, which sustains 198 we also celebrate our country’s majestic environment, and COSEWIC-assessed species at risk. reaffirm our commitment to preserving our natural heritage for generations to come. The NACP continues to encourage private land conservation in Canada. It supports and complements existing conservation Our government supports the Nature Conservancy of Canada programs in Canada and North America. It is helping build through the Natural Areas Conservation Program, and does this by providing funds that are then matched by NCC partners and an integrated network of protected areas across the country, donors. Significant areas of land have been protected through providing species with the natural corridors that are so vital this program. to their ability to adapt to climate change. Today, 81 per We also partner with the Nature Conservancy of Canada and cent of properties conserved under the program lie within other organizations on the Ecological Gifts Program, which two kilometres of national parks, provincial parks or other provides tax incentives for donations of ecologically sensitive conservation areas. land to qualified recipient organizations. These programs complement one another and help facilitate significant Partnership is at the heart of the NACP’s success. Individual contributions to our conservation goals, and we could not do it donors, landowners, communities, Indigenous partners, industry, without partners like NCC. and provincial and municipal governments have all come On behalf of Environment and Climate Change Canada, I would together through the NACP to achieve common conservation like to congratulate the Nature Conservancy of Canada and its goals. The NACP is a win for nature and a win for Canadians. partners for their continuing achievements in conservation and The impact of the Government of Canada’s contributions to environmental stewardship. the NACP cannot be overstated. Donors are encouraged by how far their dollar or gift of land goes when it is leveraged with the government’s investment through the program. The Honourable Catherine McKenna, PC, MP Minister of Environment I want to thank the Government of Canada and our partners at and Climate Change Environment and Climate Change Canada for their continued Government of Canada investment and support. I am deeply appreciative of our donors across the country who make it possible for us to build a natural legacy for our children and grandchildren. Yours in nature, John Lounds | President and CEO Nature Conservancy of Canada NATURECONSERVANCY.CA/NACP 3 NATURAL AREAS CONSERVATION PROGRAM The Natural Areas Conservation Program (NACP) is a unique public- private partnership to accelerate and increase the volume of private land conservation. In addition, the program supports the implementation of stewardship actions on conserved lands and provides capacity development support within Canada’s land trust community. The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) administers the This direct conservation action has been made possible program, securing ecologically significant lands with the thanks to the investment to date of $300 million† by participation of Ducks Unlimited Canada and other land Environment and Climate Change Canada — an investment trusts and conservation organizations. Habitat protected that has been matched by more than $580 million in contributions of donated land and funds from Canadians at large, the private sector and provincial governments. The NACP is on track to achieve $1 billion of conservation investment in Canada by 2020. In the most recent program year — April 2016 to March 2017 — nearly 12,000 hectares (29,653 acres) of habitat was conserved, based on a federal investment of $22.5 million and matched by $47 million from non-federal sources. The NACP protects habitat for many of Canada’s most threatened species, such as wolverine, burrowing owl and whitebark pine. The program has now secured habitat for 198 COSEWIC*-assessed species at risk. Target 1 of the 2020 Biodiversity Goals and Targets for Canada calls for 17 per cent of our terrestrial areas and inland waters and 10 per cent of our coastal and marine areas to be conserved through networks of protected areas and other under the NACP connects or enhances corridors to existing effective area-based conservation measures by the end of protected areas, such as national parks, national wildlife the decade. The NACP encourages Canadians to directly areas and migratory bird sanctuaries. contribute to our national goals. Launched in 2007, the NACP has made a tremendous In the following pages you will learn more about the Natural contribution towards expanding Canada’s network Areas Conservation Program’s highlights in the past year, and of protected areas. As of March 31, 2017, Canadians its decade of impact in some of our country’s most important contributing through the program have helped conserve natural habitats. Join us in celebrating 10 years of success. more than 430,000 hectares (1 million acres) across the † country. That’s an area equivalent to two-thirds the size of May 2007 to March 2017 Banff National Park. *Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada 4 NACP IMPACT REPORT 2016-2017 $880 10 YEARS OF NACP SUCCESS $800 Cumulative Hectares (in thousands) Federal Investment (in millions) Matching Funds Raised (in millions) $700 Total Investment (in millions) $600 $580 $500 $527 $400 430 ha 369 ha $300 $340 $300 $200 $177 $100 $134 $187 89 ha $43 $0 2007 2012 2017 A 2017 independent evaluation of the Natural Areas Conservation Program found that it: - is managed efficiently and effectively; - provides value for money, through a 2:1 match for every federal government dollar provided; - produces high-quality and durable conservation solutions; - encourages Canadians to conserve together; and - is directly aligned with NCC and Government of Canada priorities, roles and responsibilities, including helping Canada achieve its international obligations under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity as well as its species at risk obligations. NATURECONSERVANCY.CA/NACP 5 SPECIES AT RISK The bobolink has one of the longest migrations of any In March 2017, NCC announced the conservation of a North American songbird, travelling 20,000 kilometres 37-hectare (90-acre) property in the heart of the Osoyoos to and from South America each year. In the summer it Oxbows property. The new conservation area is the latest breeds in open areas across much of southern Canada and addition to a complex of conservation lands that run parallel the northern United States. to the highway between Osoyoos and Oliver. While walking along BC’s Okanagan River, visitors may be This property is an example of how the NACP is conserving able to catch a glimpse of a bobolink in its only breeding important habitat for species across Canada. Since 2007, the location in the Okanagan Valley. Considered a birder’s program has enabled the conservation of habitat for more paradise, the Osoyoos Oxbows property, located along the than 198 COSEWIC-assessed species at risk. These include Okanagan River, fosters habitat that is recognized as an some of Canada’s most endangered and iconic species, such Important Bird Area for many species, and contains some of as grizzly bear, mountain caribou and eastern grey wolf. the last remaining marshes in a once-thriving wetland area. Private land conservation expands the Government of Canada’s efforts to conserve important habitat for species at risk. Projects such as the Osoyoos Oxbows ensure Canada’s