Our Approach
We use a proven “conservation financing” approach to fill key funding gaps that, if addressed, will make it possible to establish new protected areas for the most endangered ecosystems.
At the core of our approach is our work with land-embedded communities, who often hold the keys to unlocking protection for the most endangered ecosystems in Canada.
Who are land-embedded communities?
First Nations, woodlot owners, Métis communities, ranchers — all are examples of land-embedded communities. For generations, these communities have maintained close cultural, economic, and political links to the surrounding public lands (which are also often unceded Indigenous lands). Because of these longstanding linkages, they play a pivotal role in deciding the land uses of their areas, including whether or not new protected areas can be established.
Over the decades, many of these rural communities have had little other option but to pursue jobs and opportunities in the resource-extractive industries more commonplace in their areas.
Our goal:
We will work with and provide the key funding to land-embedded communities so that they can transition into more diversified, resilient economies that thrive with nature so that new protected areas can be established. This approach is known as “conservation financing”.
What is Conservation Financing?
Conservation financing is an umbrella term used to describe the practice of raising and managing funds to support parties, groups, and activities that steward and protect nature. This term has become increasingly important following international negotiations (COP27 and COP15) that highlighted the urgency to address the global funding shortage needed to mitigate the extinction and climate crisis.
Approaches vary from region to region and are often based on geographically specific environmental challenges and socio-political contexts. In Canada, protecting endangered ecosystems will largely involve ensuring that land-embedded communities are supported with conservation financing.
Our goal:
Our conservation financing approach will help land-embedded communities fund the capacity for and stewardship of new protected areas initiatives in their regions. Importantly, we will also help communities develop sustainable economic alternatives in industries that thrive with nature, such as eco and cultural tourism, recreation, clean energy, non-timber forest products like wild mushrooms and berries, sustainable seafood, carbon offsets, and so much more.
Our goal is to ensure that nature is worth more standing.
Three Stages of Support
Partnerships
Our work wouldn’t be possible without fostering meaningful partnerships. We support conservation groups and qualified organizations to engage and collaborate with land-embedded communities in their regions. We also partner with government funding sources that support communities to develop land-use plans, stewardship programs, and conservation-based economies.
Where necessary, we work with land trusts, conservation groups, and governments to help purchase private lands from willing sellers for new protected areas.
Make a donation.
Our donors make this work possible. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to ensure lasting prosperity for communities and endangered ecosystems.
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