As you know, all too well, human activity has severely altered most landscapes on Earth. Species populations are collapsing. As many as a million species worldwide are heading towards extinction. Over half the planet’s species of fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals have declined since 1970.

Our goal is to reverse direction and restore life on our planet. And, Nature Canada is here to insist on action from our leaders who have set goals to protect 25% of land, water and ocean by 2025 and 30% by 2030.

Given time, and support, nature can heal. Imagine renewed wetlands, rivers, grasslands and forests. Now is the time to save and protect our nature and wilderness. Here in Canada, you’ll find 10% of the world’s forests, 20% of the world’s freshwater, 24% of the world’s wetlands and more shoreline than any country. And with more wild spaces protected, we can nurture the health of our most cherished species, by bringing at-risk species back to healthy populations, or reintroducing species where they have gone extinct.

Your gifts to Nature Canada are a way for you to take action and support nature-based solutions to climate change. Right now, our world is facing twin environmental crises: mass loss of biodiversity and climate change. Our Nature Restoration Fund is a way for you to confront both these crises in a concrete and connected way.

We know that our Nature Canada community has always been involved in personal actions to restore nature. We know many of you choose native plants for your garden or terrace, plant trees and also take action in your community like removing invasive plants, cleaning up shorelines or joining in a community garden.

Your individual actions are amplified here at Nature Canada as we are inspired by you to advocate for increased protections for wildlife and wilderness. With your support, we’ll restore threatened habitats, advocate for the creation of new protected areas and develop species recovery plans for Canada’s species at risk.

You and other Nature Canada supporters are part of a major nature restoration project— Nature Restoration Fund. From today until August 31, 2020, your gifts will be matched, dollar for dollar, now up to $100,000!

Today, we are also thrilled to announce funding—thanks to caring Canadians like you!—for our first 2 pilot restoration projects through the Nature Restoration Fund.

Project 1: Bumblebee Gardens!

Did you know that 1 in 4 bumblebee species in North America are collapsing? It’s true, and other pollinators face a similar situation. This project will inspire planting flowers and creating habitat features to improve bumblebee health and promote recovery of their falling populations.

Project 2: Bird Boxes!

Bird populations are also in dramatic decline across our continent, with more than ¼ of birds having disappeared in the last 50 years. Building nest boxes provides nesting habitats for threatened species. Participants will identify a species of interest, learn about their life cycle and unique challenges they face. Participants will construct and monitor their nest box and share their findings.

You—or other nature lovers in your life—might be interested in learning how you can dedicate your terrace, backyard, garden or other restoration projects to our Nature Restoration Fund. Join now to Grow Green @ Home.

To all our amazing supporters who have given so generously, thank you. Your gifts are already at work for nature in your province and across Canada. If you haven’t yet given, or if you are inspired to give again, that means even more critical nature restoration will happen immediately.