Protecting nature is an essential part of addressing biodiversity loss and fighting climate change. Here in Canada and around the world, we need transformative action to protect natural ecosystems now and in the future. Conserving and recovering species at risk and their habitats is a vital way to work towards a healthy environment.

Today, Marc Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt and Parliamentary Secretary for the Minister of Official Languages, announced on behalf of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, $123,475 in funding over three years, for Bat Research and Monitoring within Wahnapitae First Nation. This project is one of 33 new and ongoing local conservation projects that received funding under the Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk.

Today’s investment in Wahnapitae First Nation will be used to undertake surveys for at-risk bat species to address key knowledge gaps, and determine habitat and land use in order to form a local Protection and Recovery Strategy on Wahnapitae First Nation lands, north of Sudbury, Ontario. The activities will take place in boreal forest habitat with exposed rock structures.

This project targets three Species at Risk Act-listed species, which are: Little Brown Myotis (Endangered), Northern Myotis (Endangered) and Tri-coloured Bat (Endangered). The project activities will target these species at risk by conducting acoustic monitoring surveys and analyzing the results to fill knowledge gaps on the range and extent of these species, including the location of hibernacula and maternity roosts.

Under the Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk, Environment and Climate Change Canada funds Indigenous nations, organizations, and/or individuals protecting habitat vital to the survival of Canadian species at risk.

The key objective of the Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk is to enable Indigenous Peoples’ participation in the implementation of the Species at Risk Act. The Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk supports a range of conservation actions related to the identification, protection, and recovery of species at risk and their habitat.

This program is helping Canada work toward protecting 25 percent of lands and 25 percent of oceans by 2025 and 30 percent of each by 2030. In addition, Canada is committed to working to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030 and to achieve a full recovery for nature by 2050. Supporting Indigenous leadership in conservation is essential to achieving these targets. 

From December 7 to 19, 2022, Canada is pleased to welcome the Parties to the United Nation’s Convention on Biological Diversity in Montréal, Québec, for COP15, which will focus on the negotiation of a new Global Biodiversity Framework. Canada will take a strong leadership role along with international partners in championing both the development of an ambitious framework with clear targets and actions and that acknowledges the important role Indigenous peoples and communities play in conservation and biodiversity.

Quotes

“Protecting Canada’s rich biodiversity for the benefit of Canadians today and for future generations is a goal that we can achieve by working with individuals and communities. The Government of Canada is proud to support Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk conservation projects funded in 2022–23, which will support the survival of iconic Canadian species now and for generations to come, and support Indigenous leadership in nature conservation.”

– The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

“Today’s funding will provide an opportunity for Wahnapitae First Nation to address gaps in key knowledge areas and ultimately develop a Recovery Strategy on Wahnapitae First Nation lands. This project will be essential in protecting three endangered species in our community. This is one of 33 conservation projects that have received more than $3.7 million in funding over the next three years to protect species at risk.”

– Marc G. Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt and Parliamentary Secretary for the Minister of Official Languages

Quick facts

• The Government of Canada is investing more than $3.7 million in funding over the next three years through the Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk to support 33 conservation projects across Canada.
• From its inception in 2004 to 2022, the Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk has supported approximately 1,330 projects by providing more than $50 million in funding.
• Indigenous Peoples are recognized worldwide as the protectors of nature, with Indigenous Peoples’ territories containing as much as 80 percent of the world’s remaining forest biodiversity.

Associated links

• Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk
• Government of Canada announces funding for Indigenous communities to protect species at risk and their habitats
• Species at Risk Act
• SARA Public Registry
• Conservation funding success stories: Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk

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Contacts

Matthew Ierino

Special Assistant

Marc Serré

705-507-2416

[email protected]