The federal government just announced projects that will help Canada meet its international commitment to protect 17 percent of our land and freshwater by 2020. There’s more to do, but this is great news for nature—and for all of us.

The announcement allocates $175 million from its Nature Challenge Fund for 67 conservation projects over four years. This is a major milestone on the path to protecting Canada’s threatened natural areas.

Hundreds of species that call Canada’s natural areas home lack the protections necessary for them to thrive, and this challenge is only getting worse with the effects of climate change and increasing development.

The government received over $800 million in proposals for conservation projects from across the country as part of the Challenge Fund—over four times as much as the government had allocated.

The range and sheer number of proposed projects demonstrate that it is possible to meet and exceed Canada’s protected area commitments.

This progress must continue as the science shows that we need to protect much more than 17 percent of our land and freshwater to restore and sustain healthy natural areas.

Click here for a backgrounder and more details.