Ecological corridor initiatives

Funding corridor initiatives

Between 2021 and 2026, the National Program for Ecological Corridors provided funding to several initiatives that aimed to maintain or restore ecological connectivity between protected and conserved areas and other natural habitat. This work:

• contributes to Parks Canada’s goals to halt and reverse biodiversity loss and help species and ecosystems adapt to climate change
• is led by environmental non-profit, non-governmental organizations, Indigenous nations and organizations, and provincial governments

Funding was made available to Indigenous nations and organizations through the Indigenous-Led Area-Based Conservation application process, as well as directed funding. Environmental non-profit organizations were invited to propose projects through a one-time callout for proposals that closed in June 2024. Work by provincial governments with Nature Agreements that identified ecological corridors as a priority was also supported. All funding supported work on the planning, creation, stewardship, management, and monitoring of ecological corridors. Funding has been fully subscribed and no additional proposal intakes are planned at this time.

Ecological corridor initiatives supported by Parks Canada

• Western Canada

  Stewardship of ecological corridors in British Columbia

  Location: British Columbia
  Recipient: Province of British Columbia - Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship

  

  This funding supports a province-wide initiative to advance ecological corridors and connectivity. Large scale nature conservation requires lots of coordination and collaboration. The province will take a coordinating role and will collaborate with partners to develop information and knowledge and deliver results.

  Partners include:

  
  

  • First Nations
  • academics
  • environmental not-for-profit organizations
  • local governments
  • other interested parties

  
  

  Their efforts will focus on areas of shared national, provincial, and Indigenous priority. This includes five National Priority Areas for Ecological Corridors.

  Key activities include:

  
  

  • identifying and mapping corridors with the help of First Nations and scientists
  • monitoring and modelling wildlife species movements and use of landscapes
  • mapping barriers to wildlife movement and high-risk areas for wildlife
  • supporting Indigenous participation in connectivity planning and management
  • developing government policy and guidance that promote more connected landscapes

  
  

  Parks Canada and British Columbia invest more than $8 M to improve ecological connectivity.

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  Indigenous-led West Coast Stewardship Corridor

  Location: British Columbia
  Recipient: T’Sou-ke Nation

  

  This funding supported the Indigenous-led West Coast Stewardship Corridor by enabling:

  
  

  • outreach of First Nations leadership
  • on-the-ground conservation activities
  • youth training
  • mapping
  • regional gathering of Nations whose territories are within the corridor
  • communications plan
  • gap analysis
  • plan for the future of the project

  
  

  This initiative aims to restore and rebalance healthy relationships with the land, waters, plants, animals, people, and Creator. It is grounded in:

  
  

  • the Nuu-chah-nulth guiding principles of:
    • Hishuk’ish tsawalk (interconnectedness)
    • Uu-a-thluk (the responsibility to take care of)
    • ʔiisaak' (respect for all things living and nonliving)
  • the Coast Salish principle of Naut’sa mawt (together as one)

  
  

  This initiative unites Indigenous and non-Indigenous land and water stewards from across the west coast of Vancouver Island. It brings people together to share knowledge and plan for greater ecological, cultural, spiritual, and economic connectivity.

  This project is being carried forward through the Westcoast IPCA Support Program.

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  Indigenous-led cultural and ecological corridor from southern to central Vancouver Island

  Location: British Columbia
  Recipient: IISAAK OLAM Foundation

  

  This project builds on the legacy of the Indigenous-led West Coast Stewardship Corridor by:

  
  

  • sharing knowledge and developing capacity
  • maintaining and restoring ecological connectivity for culturally significant species
  • demonstrating cultural connections
  • doing research that amplifies Indigenous perspectives

  
  

  Core priorities include:

  
  

  • youth engagement
  • economic development
  • cultural revitalization
  • restoration
  • food sovereignty
  • ecological connectivity

  
  

  This project will enhance ecological and cultural connectivity on southern Vancouver Island. It will link many provincial parks, 2 biosphere regions, and a national park reserve.

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  North Cascades One River Grizzly Bear–Salmon Project

  Location: British Columbia
  Recipient: Okanagan Nation Alliance

  

  The North Cascades Grizzly Bear–Salmon Connectivity Project is an Indigenous-led conservation program led by the Joint Nations Grizzly Bear Initiative.

  This project advances the conservation and recovery of grizzly bear and salmon populations in the North Cascades. These 2 species are deeply connected to many Nations' cultures and identities. This project focuses on the Skagit River Headwaters. It will enhance ecological connectivity from the Skagit River Headwaters to the Salish Sea Cascadia Watershed.

  The project will support:

  
  

  • identification of climate-informed and climate-resilient ecological corridors for salmon and grizzly bears
  • creation of restoration action plans
  • improved corridor stewardship, monitoring, and management through the Nation Guardians

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  Building collaborative pathways for ecological connectivity in the North Okanagan and Thompson regions

  Location: British Columbia
  Recipient: Thompson-Nicola Conservation Collaborative and Okanagan Collaborative Conservation Program c/o Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association

  This funding advances efforts to maintain, protect, and restore ecological connectivity in the North Okanagan and South Thompson regions. Urban and agricultural development threaten habitat and connectivity in these regions. Natural areas in the North Okanagan and South Thompson provide habitat for culturally important wildlife like mule deer, bighorn sheep, elk, and salmon. These regions are rich in biodiversity including migratory birds and species at risk.

  This project will result in:

  
  

  • corridor mapping and analysis
  • inventory of barriers to wildlife connectivity (e.g. fences, roads)
  • engagement with Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities
  • strengthened relationships with Syilx and Secwepemc Nations
  • support for Indigenous-led knowledge sharing gatherings
  • better information flow to land use decision-makers

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  Radium wildlife overpass

  Location: British Columbia
  Recipient: Province of British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure

  

  This funding supported a small part of the Radium wildlife overpass project. This project is led by the Province of British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.

  Parks Canada supported activities including:

  
  

  • the detailed design of the overpass
  • materials for 6 kilometres of wildlife fencing and gates
  • an agreement with the Shuswap Band to build capacity for fence construction

  
  

  This project will:

  
  

  • protect bighorn sheep crossing the highway
  • reduce habitat separation caused by Highway 93
  • improve ecological connectivity near Kootenay National Park

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  Highway 3 wildlife mitigation

  Location: British Columbia and Alberta
  Recipient: Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative

  

  This funding supports the Highway 3 wildlife mitigation project with:

  
  

  • building wildlife crossings and fencing
  • communications and outreach
  • wildlife research
  • engagement with communities and Indigenous Nations

  
  

  The project will improve ecological connectivity in the Cabinet-Purcell Mountain and Crown of the Continent ecosystems. It addresses the division caused by Highway 3 in the Elk Valley in British Columbia and the Crowsnest Pass in Alberta.

  The Crown of the Continent ecosystem is one of the most important landscapes within the Yellowstone to Yukon region. It provides crucial habitat and connections for grizzly bears, wolverines, and other wide-ranging wildlife between protected areas in the United States and Canada.

  Roads are a barrier to wildlife movement, survival, and genetic diversity. Animal-vehicle collisions on Highway 3 pose a risk to both people and wildlife.

  The provincial governments of British Columbia and Alberta are taking action to solve these problems. Wildlife corridors and crossings are proven to work. They link habitats on either side of the highway. They allow animals to migrate, recolonize, and breed, benefitting biodiversity. They also significantly lower the risk of animal-vehicle collisions by over 80%.

  This project is an important step forward in creating a safer route for people and a more connected landscape for wildlife.

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  Advancing ecological connectivity, corridors and crossings in the Canadian Rockies of southwestern Alberta

  Location: Alberta
  Recipient: Miistakis Institute for the Rockies

  

  This funding supports research, planning, and policy development for wildlife habitat connectivity. It will enhance corridor conservation in southwestern Alberta, including the Crowsnest Pass. This low elevation east-west corridor is important for both wildlife movement and transportation.

  Project activities include:

  
  

  • road ecology research to support wildlife mitigation planning along Highway 3
  • mapping of an ecological network that shows where corridors are most needed
  • creation of tools that help local governments include ecological connectivity in planning processes

  
  

  Road ecology research includes using remote cameras and GPS collars. These devices will track wildlife movement and behaviour near the highway. Tracking data will confirm the effectiveness of existing wildlife mitigations. The data will also help inform the best locations for future mitigations.

• Prairies

  Métis-led Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area for ecological connectivity with Elk Island National Park

  Location: Alberta
  Recipient: Otipemisiwak Métis Government of the Métis Nation of Alberta

  

  This funding helped purchase 157 acres of land in Strathcona County, Alberta and establish a Métis-led Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA). The funding also supports baseline monitoring for land stewardship.

  The land features shoreline along North Cooking Lake and contains a mix of forest, wetland, and open grassland habitat. It is located within the Cooking Lake Moraine. This area is internationally known for its highly productive wetlands. The land is a critical corridor for wildlife movement across the landscape. It is used by white-tailed deer, moose, elk, beaver, porcupine, grouse, and a variety of waterfowl and songbirds.

  This IPCA improves the ecological connectivity between federal and provincial parks. It also connects protected areas and privately owned conservation areas within the Beaver Hills Biosphere Reserve. It will support Métis Citizens’ connection with the land and participation in stewardship.

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  Xa Deze (Martineau River) Corridor

  Location: Alberta and Saskatchewan
  Recipient: Cold Lake First Nations

  

  This funding supports work in the Xa Deze (Martineau River) Cultural and Ecological Corridor project area. It advances the conservation of cultural and ecosystem values and ecological connectivity. It elevates Cold Lake First Nations’ role in their Denne Ni Nennè (traditional territory) through partnerships with industry and government.

  The project will improve and maintain ecological connectivity between the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range and Meadow Lake Provincial Park. It will also connect Cold Lake and Primrose Lake, which are 2 of the largest lakes of the region.

  This project applies Dene laws to shape management planning. It also enables cultural values to inform land management.

  Project activities include:

  
  

  • community and stakeholder engagement
  • environmental site analyses for birds and bats
  • traditional use studies and mapping
  • hydrological studies
  • forest management planning
  • ecological corridor planning and development
  • re-affirmation of creation mechanisms
  • establishment ceremony

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  Pronghorn Xing (Crossing) and the assessment of functional ecological corridors in the grasslands of Alberta and Saskatchewan

  Location: Alberta and Saskatchewan
  Recipient: Alberta Conservation Association

  

  This funding supports pronghorn movement and migration research in Alberta and Saskatchewan. Pronghorn is an iconic prairie species that depends on native grassland habitat. It often migrates long distances between seasonal ranges. Industrial and residential development have reduced and fragmented native grassland habitat. As this loss continues, it is important to maintain pronghorn migration routes between protected prairie habitats. The Trans Canada Highway intersects many of these migration routes. This blocks pronghorn movement and increases the risk of wildlife-vehicle collisions.

  This project will identify the best locations for crossing structures along the Trans Canada Highway. These structures will help pronghorn and other species cross this major road.

  Project activities include:

  
  

  • putting GPS collars on 100 pronghorn
    • these collars will track the animals' movements over several years
    • the data will show where the animals are most often trying to cross the highway
  
  
  • using remote cameras to track other species at potential crossing sites, including:
    • deer
    • reptiles
    • birds

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  Identifying priority areas for Indigenous-led caribou habitat connectivity conservation in Clearwater River Dene Nation’s traditional territory

  Location: Saskatchewan
  Recipient: Clearwater River Dene Nation

  This funding supports efforts to conserve caribou habitat connectivity. These efforts will help identify possible locations for area-based conservation measures.

  Project activities include:

  
  

  • Project activities include:
    • habitat assessments
    • mapping
    • community engagement
    • training opportunities in the local community
• Ontario

  Delineation and connectivity enhancements of an ecological corridor in the Sault Ste. Marie and Garden River National Priority Area

  Location: Ontario
  Recipient: Ontario Nature

  

  This funding supports improvements to the mapping and connectivity of an ecological corridor near Sault Ste Marie. This project will enhance ecological connectivity among many rivers, lakes, and provincial parks in the region.

  Project activities include:

  
  

  • regional partnership forums that support the long-term stewardship of the corridor
  • mapping opportunities for creating an ecological corridor
  • field assessments with local Indigenous communities and stewardship organizations that will
    • provide information on species and habitat
    • identify barriers to connectivity
  • Selecting corridor governance and management approaches for the coming years, including:
    • roles and responsibilities
    • goals and objectives
    • priorities

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  Wahkohtowin Height of Land Ecological Corridor

  Location: Ontario
  Recipient: Wahkohtowin NFP Inc (Chapleau Cree, Missanabie and Brunswick House First Nations)

  

  This project will engage regional rightsholders and stakeholders in creating an ecological corridor. The corridor will restore connectivity across the traditional territories of Brunswick House First Nation, Chapleau Cree First Nation, and Missanabie Cree First Nation.

  This project seeks to improve cultural and structural linkages along the Missinaibi River. The river is an important traditional travel route. It is also one of the longest undeveloped rivers in Ontario. This project supports efforts to conserve Indigenous-led Conservation areas and other key areas slated for timber removal. Wahkohtowin will achieve this through enhanced participation in the forest management planning process.

  Protected forest habitats are critical for the continued harvesting of plants and medicines. They promote the growth and recovery of animal populations that are vital for community food subsistence practices.

  Key project activities include:

  
  

  • identification of corridor boundaries
  • creation of a project governance structure
  • assembly of a corridor leadership team
  • Land Tenure Holding Study
  • private land acquisition
  • capacity building for cultural value monitoring by community members

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  Activating Big Picture ecological corridor opportunities in Ethical Space

  Location: Ontario
  Recipient: Carolinian Canada Coalition

  

  This project takes place in the Carolinian Zone. It focuses on the north shore of Lake Erie and the Niagara Escarpment.

  The work updates and expands a landscape scale vision called the Big Picture. It seeks to connect many small isolated protected areas and key unprotected wetlands. It promotes regional conservation and stewardship across many scales. It brings together a strong coalition of partners and includes Indigenous leadership.

  Carolinian Canada Coalition will renew the Big Picture vision through planning and monitoring. They will hold Ethical Space for Two-Eyed Seeing. They will work with partners and landowners to advance connectivity conservation over 200 hectares of land. They will achieve this using:

  
  

  • mapping
  • habitat restoration
  • stewardship
  • securement
  • conservation bonds
  • easements
  • band council resolutions

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  Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark System ecological corridor pilot program

  Location: Ontario
  Recipient: Royal Botanical Gardens

  

  The Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark System is a voluntary alliance of land-owning agencies in Hamilton and Burlington, Ontario. This is one of Canada's most biodiverse and urbanized regions. Partners and neighbouring landowners are working together to improve wildlife movement.

  Between 2022 and 2024, EcoPark System partners carried out a 15-month ecological corridor pilot program. Program deliverables included:

  
  

  • land securement
  • ecological restoration
  • recovery and remediation
  • education
  • research
  • landowner outreach

  
  

  These efforts improved ecological connectivity among and within partner owned properties.

  Partner agencies include:

  
  

  • Bruce Trail Conservancy
  • City of Burlington
  • City of Hamilton
  • Conservation Halton
  • Halton Region
  • Hamilton Conservation Authority
  • Hamilton Naturalists’ Club
  • McMaster University
  • Royal Botanical Gardens

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  Building the Highlands Corridor to connect 3 provincial parks in Central Ontario

  Location: Ontario
  Recipient: Haliburton Highlands Land Trust

  

  This project supports work towards creating the Highlands Corridor. It is a collaborative effort by Haliburton Highlands Land Trust, industry, outdoor recreation organizations, and government.

  This ecological corridor initiative will:

  
  

  • enhance ecological connectivity between 3 provincial parks
  • improve climate change resilience
  • maintain biodiversity
  • support private landowners through a Partners in Conservation program
  • advance the protection of 8,500 hectares of Crown land as a Conservation Reserve
  • support the acquisition and protection of 121 additional hectares

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  Restoring ecological connectivity within the Frontenac Arch region through Ethical Space and co-governance

  Location: Ontario
  Recipient: Frontenac Arch Biosphere Network

  This funding sustains a resilient ecological network across the Frontenac Arch region. This region is very important for north-south animal migration on the continental scale. All project participants will receive training in Ethical Space and Two-Eyed Seeing. Indigenous partners will be actively engaged in the project. This will ensure common goals and ethical governance. The project will also identify and map key linkages through partner participation and collaboration.

• Quebec

  Hundred Acre Wood

  Location: Québec
  Recipient: Action Chelsea for the Respect of the Environment (ACRE)

  

  This funding supported the purchase of the Hundred Acre Wood property next to Gatineau Park. ACRE is working to maintain the ecological connectivity of the park by connecting it to other core habitat. The Hundred Acre Wood property is a forested area that is a key part of the North-East Ecological Corridor identified by Gatineau Park.

  The corridor is home to 10 bird species at risk and many mammal species of interest. These species include:

  
  

  • white-tailed deer
  • snowshoe hare
  • Canada lynx
  • American marten
  • American black bear
  • partridge

  
  

  ACRE is a non-profit organization made up of concerned citizens that:

  
  

  • works towards an environmentally healthy community
  • protects the ecological integrity of the Municipality of Chelsea and others around Gatineau Park
  • manages 11 conservation properties
  • secured lands in 3 of the ecological corridors identified by Gatineau Park

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  Sustainability of the Plaisance-Tremblant corridor connectivity plan

  Location: Québec
  Recipient: Ducks Unlimited Canada

  This project aims to enhance ecological connectivity in the Plaisance-Tremblant area.

  This area is rich in biodiversity. It is home to many plant and wildlife species in a precarious situation.

  The project will result in:

  
  

  • acquisition and conservation of at least 75 hectares of land
  • research to embed connectivity into stakeholder practices and policies
  • clear and recognized governance for all corridor stakeholders
  • implementation of a connectivity plan

  
  

  This project will benefit more than 30 organizations that have been working together since 2019. These organizations work across 6 sectors (research, environment, agriculture, forestry, land use, government). They are united by their pursuit of a shared goal of connectivity in the area.

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  Ecological connectivity around La Mauricie National Park

  Location: Québec
  Recipient: Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC)

  

  This funding supported the protection of 2 essential natural habitats for at-risk wood turtles in the Mauricie region. These properties are covered in forested riversides and wetlands. They offer much-needed habitat for wood turtles to feed and find mates. The 2 sites are linked to La Mauricie National Park and other areas protected by the NCC. This connectivity allows wood turtles and other animals to migrate through the region and meet their survival needs.

  This project was made possible by the participation of:

  
  

  • Government of Québec
  • Construction DJL Inc
  • Government of Canada
  • Fondation de la faune du Québec
  • United States Fish and Wildlife Service

  
  

  NCC is the country’s unifying force for nature. It uses large-scale, permanent land conservation to solve the twin crises of rapid biodiversity loss and climate change. With nature, NCC is building a thriving world.

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  Consolidation of the Forillon Ecological Corridor

  Location: Québec
  Recipient: Nature Conservancy of Canada

  

  The Forillon Ecological Corridor maintains ecological connectivity in the Gaspé Peninsula. This forested corridor connects Forillon National Park with large public forests. On its own, Forillon National Park is too small to ensure the long-term health of some of its wildlife populations. Species like the American marten and the Canada lynx need increased connectivity with the surrounding landscape. The park is surrounded by private lots and Route 197. These form a barrier to the safe passage of animals in and out of the park. The corridor is important for wildlife movement and security. It also makes it easier for species to migrate and adapt to climate change.

  This funding supports:

  
  

  • assessment of conservation needs within the corridor
  • research and knowledge gathering to maintain and improve connectivity in the area
  • education, citizen science, and monitoring with communities and landowners

  
  

  Work involves collaboration with local partners including:

  
  

  • Forillon National Park
  • City of Gaspé
  • Ministère des Transports et de la Mobilité durable
  • Nation Micmac de Gespeg

  
  

  The Forillon Ecological Corridor project is part of the Québec Ecological Corridor Initiative. This initiative provides a collective approach to the protection of biodiversity and ecological corridors. It is made up of 10 organizations from across Quebec. It is also supported by around 100 experts and stakeholders.

• Atlantic Canada

  Connecting Chignecto: Ecological corridor protection, improvement and stewardship between Sa' qewi-ilnuwey Awti (Big Salmon River IPCA) and Chignecto Isthmus Wilderness Area

  Location: New Brunswick
  Recipient: Birds Canada

  This funding supports ecological connectivity efforts in the Chignecto Isthmus. Activities include:

  
  

  • Indigenous Knowledge land-use guidance
  • land acquisition and protection of 200 acres of land
    • this land will be owned and stewarded to improve connectivity by Amlamgog First Nation
  • species monitoring and movement research
  • monitoring of culturally and ecologically significant areas within the corridor
  • a stakeholder and public engagement strategy
    • the strategy features a map of key areas for maintaining ecological connectivity

  
  

  The project will benefit a network of Indigenous and non-Indigenous partners working to enhance connectivity in this region. This region is internationally recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. It provides habitat for over 44 species at risk and 250 species of conservation concern.

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  Connecting protected areas: Ecological corridor creation through private land steward engagement in Kespukwitk/Southwest Nova Scotia Priority Place and Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve

  Location: Nova Scotia
  Recipient: Mersey Tobeatic Research Institute

  

  This funding supports the creation and stewardship of 3 ecological corridors within the Mi’kmaq district of Kespukwitk and the UNESCO Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve.

  The ecological corridors will tackle habitat fragmentation and ecological reserve islands through private land steward engagement. They will increase ecological connectivity between natural habitats including:

  
  

  • Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site
  • Tobeatic Wilderness Area
  • provincial protected areas
    • nature reserves
    • working forestland
    • conservancy lands

  
  

  Activities include corridor planning, creation, and stewardship and management.

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  Mi’kmaq-led biocultural corridor project and our responsibility to Msit no’kmaq in Unama’ki

  Location: Nova Scotia
  Recipient: Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources (UINR)

  

  Led by UINR, this project supports ecological and biocultural connectivity between the Kluskap Indigenous Protected and Conservation Areas, Bras d’Or Biosphere Region, and Cape Breton Highlands National Park. UINR has been championing the concept of connectivity since 2008. Connectivity is consistent with many Mi’kmaw guiding principles.

  The foundation of UINR’s work is decision making with:

  
  

  • Netukulimk (responsibility to future generations)
  • Etuaptmumk/Two-Eyed Seeing (using both western science and Mi’kmaw knowledge)

  
  

  This project builds on a previous UINR study. This study found that biocultural connectivity extends beyond ecological connectivity. It also includes the historical and on-going relationships between people and nature, between the Mi’kmaq and the land from which they sprouted (wejisqualia’tiek).

  The project will result in:

  
  

  • development of Biocultural Corridor Stewardship Plan
  • development of a long-term monitoring plan
  • increased opportunities for regional connectivity with First Nations in the Wabanaki Forest