Natural Heritage Conservation Program
The Natural Heritage Conservation Program (NHCP) is a unique partnership that mobilizes Canadians to conserve and care for nature. First launched in 2007 as the Natural Areas Conservation Program, the partnership is a model of collaborative conservation. It brings together individuals, Indigenous communities, industry and other levels of government to create lasting conservation solutions.
The program is administered by the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC), with contributions from partners like Ducks Unlimited Canada and the country’s land trusts. Wildlife Habitat Canada administers the land trust portion of the program, the Land Trust Conservation Fund. NCC works with the program partners to identify land for conservation and raises the funds to match the government’s investment, with contributions from other sources.
Since 2007, this partnership model has achieved great things for conservation in Canada. NCC and program partners have protected and conserved more than 8,400 square kilometres of ecologically sensitive land, which provides habitat for more than 250 species at risk. This was accomplished with more than $500 million invested by the Government of Canada and $1 billion in matching funds from NCC and other program partners — a total of more than $1.5 billion in conservation outcomes.
In the most recent program year (April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024), NCC, Ducks Unlimited Canada and more than 20 regional land trusts conserved more than 38,000 hectares. A federal investment of $30 million was matched with nearly $83 million provided by individuals, corporations, foundations and other levels of government.
Comment fonctionne le PCPN?
Le PCPN, d’abord lancé sous le nom de Programme de conservation des zones naturelles, est un modèle de conservation collaborative. Il est mis en œuvre par Conservation de la nature Canada (CNC), Canards Illimités Canada, Habitat faunique Canada, en collaboration avec des organismes de conservation locaux et régionaux.
CNC et ses partenaires de programme tirent parti du financement du gouvernement fédéral pour obtenir des contributions équivalentes de la part de propriétaires fonciers, d’entreprises, de sociétés, de fondations, de particuliers et d’autres ordres de gouvernement afin d’amplifier l’investissement du Canada dans la nature.
En protégeant les fondements écologiques de notre économie, de nos collectivités et de notre bien-être, le PCPN aide CNC et ses partenaires à assumer la responsabilité que nous avons envers la nature, les uns envers les autres, et envers les générations futures.