Clare Wark WWF-Canada Carbon Sampling Work In Peawanuck

WWF-Canada’s IPCA Support Fund

WWF-Canada is introducing a new Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA) Support Fund to support First Nation, Inuit, and Métis communities and organizations as they consider, establish, or maintain IPCAs in Canada.

Background

To halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030 and secure the climate benefits of healthy ecosystems, Canada needs more protected areas. But a large proportion of the ecologically rich lands and waters in Canada are found on First Nation, Inuit, and Métis lands. WWF-Canada recognizes that Indigenous communities that choose to consider or engage in Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area designation processes require a wide range of support and resources.

The WWF-Canada Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCA) Support Fund will provide funding from $50,000 to $150,000 per year for up to three years to support Indigenous communities and organizations to consider, establish or maintain IPCAs, including overcoming hurdles and supporting capacity for long-term implementation of Indigenous knowledge and priorities in the context of IPCAs in Canada.

Examples of activities supported by the WWF-Canada IPCA Support Fund include:

  • Community discussions of interest in, or approach to, creating an IPCA.
  • The role of IPCAs in community well-being and nature and climate improvements.
  • How to increase connectivity among IPCAs and with other conservation areas.
  • Early-stage community consultation and land-use planning to assist with the delineation of an IPCA.
  • Opportunities for knowledge exchange across generations, among different Indigenous communities, and between Indigenous knowledge and western science practitioners (“two-eyed seeing”).
  • Securing resources to support long-term IPCA management and monitoring based on First Nation, Inuit, and Métis priorities and knowledge.
  • New, sustainable, and complementary community-based social, economic and environmental opportunities for and by Indigenous communities.
  • Other priorities as identified by First Nation, Inuit, and Métis communities that support the intention of the IPCA Support Fund

Eligibility

The IPCA Support Fund is open to all First Nation, Inuit, and Métis communities, organizations, and rights-holders within Canada. While projects may include non-Indigenous partners, they must be Indigenous led. 

If you have questions or would like to be contacted for updates to the WWF-Canada IPCA Support Fund, please email [email protected]