On March 6, the Honourable Nathalie Provost, Secretary of State (Nature), on behalf of the Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature, marked the 25th anniversary of the Government of Canada’s longest-running species at risk program by announcing up to $5.2 million in funding through the Habitat Stewardship Program (HSP) for Species at Risk.

Since 2000, the HSP has invested more than $241 million in over 3,800 conservation projects that protect and recover species at risk and their habitats, helping Canada advance its biodiversity and conservation priorities.

For the 2025-2026 funding cycle, this $5.2 million investment will support 31 conservation projects across Canada, empowering communities, individuals, and non-governmental organizations to take action to safeguard at-risk species in their regions.

The stewardship projects supported through this investment demonstrate the diversity of conservation work happening nationwide, including the following:


Rivershed Society of BC is receiving $404,884 for a five-year program to restore vital riparian habitat for at-risk species in the Bell Slough area of Chilliwack, British Columbia. The project aims to improve water quality, stabilize stream banks, and enhance natural vegetation. The project partners with Cheam and Sqwá First Nations and local landholders through a co-designed approach that integrates Traditional Ecological Knowledge and language. Restoration efforts include removing invasive species, planting native vegetation, creating wetlands, and building riparian buffers. The project also offers community education focused on Indigenous food systems, land stewardship, and cross-cultural learning.
Conseil régional de l’environnement du Centre-du-Québec is receiving $59,000 for a two-year project to protect and recover five species at risk, including the bobolink, Eastern meadowlark and chimney swift. Project activities include conducting inventories, delivering awareness and education initiatives, improving habitat and implementing threat mitigation measures in several municipalities in the Centre-du-Québec region of Quebec.
Université du Québec en Outaouais is receiving $143,039 for a five-year project aiming to protect and support the recovery of the Blanding’s turtle by understanding and addressing barriers to the recruitment of the species in Outaouais, Quebec. It will mainly target nest predation, a key threat identified in the species’ recovery strategy, by monitoring nesting sites and using telemetry to track female turtles. By mitigating this threat, the initiative seeks to enhance survival and promote long-term population growth.
Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan is receiving $332,350 for a five-year project to work with landowners and First Nations in southern Saskatchewan to develop and adapt site-specific management plans aimed at protecting plant species at risk in sand dune and native prairie ecosystems. Through annual site assessments, the project will update plans to reduce threats such as invasive species and implement best management practices to improve habitat conditions. This ecosystem-based approach will support the recovery of plant species at risk and strengthen conservation efforts on private and First Nations lands.

By working with these partners and many others, the Government of Canada is making real progress in protecting species at risk and conserving the habitats they depend on.