OTTAWA | April 8, 2026 — Following the federal government’s landmark announcement of A Force of Nature: Canada’s Strategy to Protect Nature, Nature Canada is reporting a surge of support from nature groups and supporters. Its Nature Network of over 1,000 local conservation groups, is eager to help bring the plan to life while members and supporters have sent hundreds of hopeful messages addressed to the Prime Minister.

The strategy, unveiled by PM Carney last week, commits $3.8 billion over five years to implement Canada’s 2030 Nature Strategy including the landmark target to protect 30 percent of Canada’s lands and waters by 2030.

The Voice for Nature in Ottawa

As the strategy moves from announcement to implementation, Nature Canada’s role as the voice for nature at the federal level will involve holding the government accountable, connecting decision-makers to knowledge-holders, and demonstrating how much Canadians continue to value nature protection and restoration.

“Decsion-makers in Ottawa rely on Nature Canada to be a conduit to the nature movement. That role as the voice for nature has never been more critical as nature groups navigate shifting federal priorities,” says Emily McMillan, Executive Director of Nature Canada. “We have worked for decades to see this level of ambition. This Action Plan is a testament to the power of collective advocacy and the depth of concern for nature felt in every part of the country. We are hopeful that it marks a permanent shift toward building a stronger, more sustainable country that protects what matters most.”

Mobilizing the Movement

The success of this $3.8 billion investment depends on funding reaching the ground. Nature Canada partners with over 1,000 groups through its Nature Network who are already looking for ways to get involved. Many of these groups were facing shortfalls in capacity and resources and worried that a funding gap might force progress to stall or projects to be cancelled. Hannah Dean, Organizing Director, reports that the renewal of partner work has already sparked hundreds of questions from the field, highlighting the urgent need for clarity on funding roll-outs, timelines, and other implementation concerns.

“Our partners in communities across Canada are ready to turn these federal dollars into real-world nature protection measures for local wetlands, forests, and more,” says Dean. “This funding is a lifeline for biodiversity and the climate resilience projects that are helping our country plan and build for a sustainable future.”

Since the March 31 announcement, Nature Canada has seen an unprecedented response from its membership and individual supporters, too. In just the first 24 hours, the organization received 1,000 “Messages of Hope” from Canadians across the country, which will be hand-delivered to the Prime Minister.

“Our supporters have been banging this drum for a long time,” says Scott Mullenix, Communications Director. “The volume of positive messages shows that nature remains a core part of our national identity and a unifying force for hope. And it should also demonstrate to our leaders that Canadians are paying attention to how nature figures in their policy priorities.”

Indigenous Leadership

Nature Canada joins conservation leaders across the country in celebrating the strategy’s emphasis on Indigenous-led conservation as a priority. The plan includes $231 million for Indigenous Guardians Programs, a move seen as critical for the long-term success of nature protection.

“The true strength of this strategy lies in its recognition that there is no path to 30×30 without Indigenous leadership,” says Ted Cheskey, Naturalist Director at Nature Canada. “By reinforcing the Indigenous Guardians program and supporting efforts such as the work of our partners like the Cree nations around James Bay and the Métis Nation Saskatchewan, the government is investing in the most effective and proven model of stewardship we have.”

Protecting Areas, Building Resilience, and Restoring Iconic Species

Nature Canada supports a variety of program areas that have received government funding from similar programs. We hope that these programs can continue forward with this renewed funding:

• Salish Sea: Protecting habitat for the Southern Resident Killer Whales and the salmon they rely on for survival. Focusing on the preferred food for the Southern Residents and restoring habitat for salmon, will help this iconic species recover. Nature Canada hopes to see progress to address other threats to the Southern Resident population.

• Métis-led Conservation in the Boreal Forest: Sakitawak (meaning Where the Rivers Meet) is a Métis-led effort to protect and restore the remaining healthy forests in Northern Saskatchewan that are also the home of Woodland Caribou. Nature Canada hopes to see renewed funding for this important conservation project.

• Municipal Nature Initiatives: Nature Canada’s municipal work supports partners in municipalities across Canada to protect urban biodiversity and the climate resilience of our communities by certifying Bird Friendly Cities, building nature-based solutions into city planning, and helping towns and cities contribute to the national 30×30 goals.

Upcoming Civil Society Summit and Expert Input:

Nature Canada will host a collaborative nature summit this Spring for ENGO leaders and government decision-makers to help bring the Force of Nature plan to life.

Julia Laforge, Protected Areas Manager, notes that the strategy’s focus on Natural Capital Accounting and the new Expert Taskforce has a lot of potential to address long-standing challenges to conservation efforts.

“When the only value that a tree has is for its lumber, it’s too easy to forget that it also provides clean air, filters water, prevents erosion, is a home for wildlife, and is a source of joy for many,” says Laforge. “Nature can be priceless, and also have an ‘on-paper’ value that allows decision-makers to see the billions of dollars in services that these landscapes provide for free every day.”

It will remain critical that these financing tools continue to be built by consulting with Indigenous leaders and nature advocates.

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For more information:

Scott Mullenix

Director of Communications, Nature Canada

media@naturecanada.ca | 613-366-4776