IQALUIT, Nvt. – The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, Regional Minister responsible for the Territories, and Member of Parliament for Nunavut, on behalf of Canada’s Environment Minister, the Honourable Jim Prentice, today announced funding from the Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk. In total, $31,700 in federal funding will support environmental action focusing on conservation and protection of species at risk and their habitats, helping to preserve Canada’s biodiversity.

“As part of the International Year of Biodiversity, we are supporting the Resolute Bay Hunters and Trappers association in Nunavut as we work together to learn more about the Peary caribou,” said Minister Aglukkaq. “Caribou are a vital species for Northerners and have a special place in the hearts of all Canadians.”

“This project will help to protect Canada’s rich biodiversity for generations to come,” said Minister Prentice. “The Government of Canada is proud to support the Resolute Bay hunters and trappers organization in Nunavut through the Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk. Your actions, large or small, will help to protect the abundance and variety of life that is part of our natural heritage.”

The goal of the Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk is to contribute to the recovery and protection of species listed as endangered, threatened or of special concern under the Species at Risk Act. 

Projects that will receive funding this year include stewardship actions to conserve habitat for plant species at risk, negotiations with landowners to develop voluntary Land Care Agreements, targeted educational outreach efforts to reduce the entanglement of species at risk in fishing gear, and the enhancement of water quality and aquatic habitat on private lands to benefit aquatic species at risk. They will be undertaken with many partners such as agricultural producers, private landowners, and commercial fishers. These projects will benefit many species at risk, including the north Atlantic right whale, steller sea lion, swift fox, and small white leek.

The Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk is administered by Environment Canada and managed cooperatively with Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Parks Canada Agency. More information on the Species at Risk Act and the Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk can be found on the Internet at: www.sararegistry.gc.ca or http://www.ec.gc.ca/hsp-pih/default.asp?lang=En&n=59BF488F-1.



BACKGROUNDER

Government of Canada's Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk

As part of Canada's National Strategy for the Protection of Species at Risk, the Government of Canada established the Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk. The Habitat Stewardship Program (HSP) is administered by Environment Canada and managed co-operatively with Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Parks Canada Agency. It provides funding to successful applicants who conserve and protect species at risk and their habitats and help to preserve biodiversity.
In 2010-11, the Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk will provide $12.4 million for 228 projects. This investment will leverage an additional $29.8 million from other partners towards these projects, ensuring a total investment of $42.2 million.

The program's objective is to achieve two-to-one supplement on funds that it invests, so that, for every $1 provided by the Habitat Stewardship Program, $2 is raised by project recipients. This supplement can include either financial contributions or in-kind resources such as volunteered labour, products or services.
A variety of recipients are eligible for HSP funding including not-for-profit organizations, Aboriginal organizations, educational institutions, community associations and local groups, private individuals and companies, and provincial, municipal and local governments. Partner funding and other support broaden the scope of projects, improve on-the-ground results, and strengthen public and private collaboration by involving Canadians in stewardship activities for species at risk. The program directs funds where they are needed most - into the hands of those who work to enhance Canada's lands and waters and who care about this country's natural legacy.

Projects funded under the program address both habitat conservation and threat mitigation. To date, they have benefited more than 300 species listed under the Species at Risk Act. The program has established more than 200 partnerships with successful recipients and overall, community involvement and partnerships are the strengths of this Program.

A listing of projects funded is available at http://www.ec.gc.ca/hsp-pih/default.asp?lang=En&n=59BF488F-1 as is more information about this program.