Photo: Taylor Roades

Carbon Landscapes

Collectively, we have an opportunity to reimagine how conservation is done in this country. A central focus of this effort must be support for Indigenous-led conservation.

Our approach is:
1
Grounded in respect for Indigenous rights, culture, and traditions
2
Prioritizing Indigenous-led conservation
3
Informed by community knowledge and cutting-edge research
4
Strengthened by philanthropic partnerships and cross-sector collaboration
5
Agile by design

We have a two-track funding strategy:

Note: For 2024, Carbon Landscapes funding will be by invitation only.

1. Research, Convening, and Outreach

We are funding research, convening, and outreach activities in support of:

  • Indigenous-led conservation,
  • Efforts to protect and conserve peatlands, grasslands, and old growth forests, or
  • Strategies to achieve 30×30.

Under this strategy track, funding is geared toward efforts at a federal, provincial, and/or territorial scale, rather than on-the-ground, locally-specific work. Examples of the type of work supported under this strategy include a mix of complementary and often combined activities, such as:

Research:

Producing timely, well-researched, and accessible reports to inform the design of new strategies, policies, and programs.

Convening:

Bringing together community leaders, non-governmental organizations, academics, industry, and government representatives to better link, coordinate, and advance cross-sector efforts.

Outreach:

Communications efforts that strengthen public awareness, understanding, and support for specific policy goals or actions.

2. On-the-Ground Leadership

At present, our funding for on-the-ground leadership activities is largely focused on efforts to plan and establish Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas in two major peatland regions: Hudson Bay Lowlands and the Mackenzie River Basin.

 

Carbon Landscapes Highlights

Significant Milestone Reached for Indigenous-Led Initiative in the Northwest Territories

More
Nature Investment Hub Launched to Grow Conservation Finance in Canada
From The Narwhal: The Future of Conservation in Canada Depends on Indigenous Protected Areas. So What Are They?
The Narwhal Expands Its Coverage of Indigenous-Led Conservation
RAD Network: Catalyzing the Indigenous-Led Conservation Economy
Indigenous-Led Conservation Headlines at COP15
Announcing Recent Metcalf Environment Funding Commitments
Apply to the Public Voice Fund for Government Relations Support for Your Environmental Work
Introducing Metcalf’s Newest Carbon Landscapes Grantees
Canada’s Most Comprehensive National Carbon Map Helps Guide Climate Actions
New Study Showcases the Power of Peatlands as a Global Climate Solution
The Narwhal Launches in Ontario With All-Star Bureau of Journalists
Government of Canada Commits $340 Million to Indigenous-Led Conservation
Tackling Climate Change and Biodiversity Loss With Integrated Solutions
Landmark Study Underscores the Importance of Natural Climate Solutions for Canada
The Narwhal’s Carbon Cache Series Receives a Swell of National Recognition
Government of Canada Announces $3.9 Billion Investment in Nature-Based Climate Solutions
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Recent Grants

Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$90,000
Term
36 months
Learn More
to develop and establish an Indigenous Protected Area in the North French River watershed, located in the heart of Moose Cree’s homeland
2023—2025
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$450,000
Term
36 months
Learn More
to provide renewed support for the Seal River Watershed Alliance to increase staff capacity for negotiations with the provincial and federal governments, complete a wildlife stewardship...
2023—2025
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$450,000
Term
36 months
Learn More
for continued support of the Kitaskeenan Kaweekanawaynichikatek project
2023—2025
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$500,000
Term
24 months
Learn More
Centre for Northern Conservation
in partnership with Indigenous Leadership Initiative (ILI) to provide core support for ILI’s work in supporting Indigenous-led conservation and stewardship efforts across Canada
2023—2024
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$328,650
Term
36 months
Learn More
in partnership with Wolastoqey Nation in New Brunswick to support a joint project enabling both Indigenous and non-Indigenous forest-dependent communities to take concrete steps toward...
2022—2024
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$450,000
Term
36 months
Learn More
in partnership with Mi’gmawe’l Tplu’taqnn and Nature Trust New Brunswick to help build the capacity of Keki’namuanen Msit Wen Wlo’tmnen Nmaqami’kminu Inc., an Indigenous-led...
2022—2024
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$300,000
Term
36 months
Learn More
to help expand The Narwhal’s coverage of Indigenous-led conservation
2022—2024
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$300,000
Term
36 months
Learn More
to launch a national hub on conservation finance
2022—2024
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$50,000
Term
12 months
Learn More
to support research and convening on the topic of conservation finance in conjunction with The Canadian Council on Ecological Areas’ annual gathering
2023
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$50,000
Term
12 months
Learn More
to support the Conservation Through Reconciliation Partnership, housed by the University of Guelph, in convening a two-day gathering to explore what paths need to be created to reconcile...
2023
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$280,000
Term
24 months
Learn More
in partnership with Chiefs of Ontario to support First Nations in their development of capacity to engage on carbon conservation work in Ontario
2022—2023
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$75,000
Term
24 months
Learn More
in partnership with Sc’ianew First Nation to support early-stage capacity building, research, and analysis regarding the feasibility of the Mary Hill Indigenous Protected Area
2022—2023
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$50,000
Term
24 months
Learn More
for Organizing for Change, a MakeWay project, to continue shared strategy work on old growth forests and protected areas in British Columbia
2022—2023
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$250,000
Term
24 months
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in partnership with the Mushkegowuk Council to support the development of an Omushkego Regional Conservation Strategy on Land Use and Climate Change
2022—2023
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$200,000
Term
24 months
Learn More
to support the Conservation through Reconciliation Partnership, housed at the University of Guelph, to explore economic pathways for Indigenous-led conservation
2022—2023
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$150,000
Term
24 months
Learn More
for terrestrial conservation work in Ontario
2022—2023
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$172,775
Term
36 months
Learn More
to help plan and establish an Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area in the Bistcho Lake region of Dene Tha’ territory
2021—2023
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$375,000
Term
36 months
Learn More
in partnership with Katl’odeeche First Nation, Dehcho First Nations, Sambaa K’e First Nation, Ka’a’gee Tu First Nation, Jean Marie River First Nation, NWT Métis Nation, Deninu Kue...
2021—2023
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$225,000
Term
36 months
Learn More
to demonstrate the potential of Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) as a conservation tool for grasslands in the prairie provinces
2021—2023
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$150,000
Term
36 months
Learn More
to support work with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), forestry companies, Indigenous communities, and partner ENGOs to secure protection of FSC candidate sites from logging and mineral...
2021—2023
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$150,000
Term
36 months
Learn More
in support of the Legal Foundations for Indigenous-led Conservation project to be delivered as part of the RELAW (Revitalizing Indigenous Law for Land, Air, and Water) program
2021—2023
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$68,400
Term
12 months
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to support convening and research related to conservation strategies in Canada
2022
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$25,000
Term
12 months
Learn More
to support a three-day gathering focused on Indigenous carbon rights and Indigenous-led conservation, organized by Conservation Through Reconciliation Partnership
2022
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$100,000
Term
24 months
Learn More
to build public awareness and support for strengthened biodiversity legislation in BC
2021—2022
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$275,000
Term
24 months
Learn More
in partnership with BC Assembly of First Nations, to provide resources and support for First Nations in BC who are assessing the feasibility of a forest carbon project in their territory
2021—2022
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$100,000
Term
24 months
Learn More
in partnership with Beaver Lake Cree Nation (BLCN), to support trial preparations over the cumulative impacts of development on Treaty 6 territory
2021—2022
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$200,000
Term
24 months
Learn More
to support policy and science work at three scales – national, global, and in the Hudson Bay Lowlands – related to northern peatlands
2021—2022
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$330,000
Term
36 months
Learn More
to support large-scale outreach, communications, and convening activities related to a landmark study of the mitigation potential of natural climate solutions in Canada
2020—2022
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$30,000
Term
36 months
Learn More
to support communications about the carbon and biodiversity values of the Hudson Bay Lowlands
2020—2022
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$225,000
Term
36 months
Learn More
in partnership with Mushkegowuk Council, to support Council staff as they work to advance Indigenous-led conservation efforts in the region
2020—2022
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$50,000
Term
12 months
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to further develop and refine the carbon buffer forests concept, a proposed new approach to designating lands for restoration and protection
2021
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$75,000
Term
12 months
Learn More
to quantify how old growth forest conservation efforts are compromised by expanded wood pellet production in Canada, with the primary focus on British Columbia
2021
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$100,000
Term
12 months
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in partnership with EnviroEconomics, to identify federal subsidies that harm nature and propose revisions that align with efforts to achieve Canada’s protected areas targets
2021
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$25,000
Term
12 months
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for Organizing for Change, a MakeWay project, to continue shared strategy work on old growth forests and protected areas in BC
2021
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$50,000
Term
12 months
Learn More
for Rainforest Solutions Implementation Project, a MakeWay project, to continue work on old growth forests and to help develop a viable regenerative forestry carbon model and approach for...
2021
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$50,000
Term
12 months
Learn More
to continue reporting on nature-based climate solutions in Canada
2021
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$35,000
Term
12 months
Learn More
in partnership with Smart Prosperity Institute, to help launch a new National Nature Investment Hub to facilitate the growth of public and private investments in nature protection and...
2021
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$110,000
Term
12 months
Learn More
to kick-start a set of facilitated discussions and strategy sessions with an overarching goal of accelerating conservation progress in Canada
2021
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$45,000
Term
12 months
Learn More
to work with the Gwich’in Tribal Council, to advance planning and establishment of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas within privately held Gwich’in settlement lands in the Yukon
2021
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$15,000
Term
12 months
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to support the Target 1 Funders Collaborative
2021
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$28,589
Term
12 months
Learn More
to support convening and strategy work with partners working to advance terrestrial conservation in the Hudson Bay Lowlands
2021
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$80,000
Term
24 months
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to develop policy briefs with specific advice to the federal government on how to advance biodiversity aspects of nature-based climate solutions
2020—2021
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$60,000
Term
24 months
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to build the case for the federal government to establish a ‘Forest Carbon Economy Fund’ in Canada, with a goal to unlock significant financing for community-based forest stewardship in...
2020—2021
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$30,000
Term
24 months
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to support a collaborative funding approach to northern terrestrial and marine conservation initiatives
2020—2021
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$100,000
Term
24 months
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to support local organizing around nature-based climate solutions in communities across Canada
2020—2021
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$100,000
Term
24 months
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to help launch Public Voice Fund
2020—2021
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$70,000
Term
24 months
Learn More
to support The Conservation through Reconciliation Partnership staff and partners to create a number of capacity building tools to support Indigenous communities interested in advancing...
2020—2021
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$105,000
Term
24 months
Learn More
to continue to advance recommendations from the Logging Scars report and other related policy priorities
2020—2021
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$90,000
Term
24 months
Learn More
using advanced geospatial tools, including high resolution remote sensing data and machine learning algorithms, to produce a national carbon map that accurately identifies and quantifies...
2020—2021
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$150,000
Term
36 months
Learn More
to help establish a network of new protected areas based on areas of importance to the Crees of Eeyou Istchee
2019—2021
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$375,000
Term
36 months
Learn More
in collaboration with Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation, to build the case for a widespread transition to a lower-carbon agriculture in Canada, with a particular focus on upcoming reviews...
2019—2021
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$150,000
Term
36 months
Learn More
to help establish an Indigenous Protected Area to conserve the Seal River watershed. This project is guided by an Agreement in Principle between Sayisi Dene First Nation, Northlands Dene...
2019—2021
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$150,000
Term
36 months
Learn More
to support Nitaskiinan, a 3-year project to propose a new Indigenous Protected Area in the traditional homeland of Ininiwak (Cree People) from five First Nations in northeastern Manitoba....
2019—2021
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$15,000
Term
12 months
Learn More
to support the Target 1 Funders Collaborative
2020
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$55,000
Term
12 months
Learn More
to build the organizational capacity of Farmers for Climate Solutions, a recently launched coalition of farmers, farm organizations, and their partners who are working in common cause to...
2020
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$75,000
Term
24 months
Learn More
to help ensure that new forest carbon accounting rules and related policies in Canada do not incentivize negative impacts on biodiversity or climate action
2019—2020
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$100,000
Term
24 months
Learn More
to help develop and establish an Indigenous Protected Area in the North French River watershed or kâhpânayâw sîpiy in Cree, meaning meandering river, located in the heart of Moose Cree...
2019—2020
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$50,000
Term
24 months
Learn More
to organize a conservation finance conference in 2020 with a goal to showcase practical approaches to mainstreaming conservation finance in Canada
2019—2020
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$149,570
Term
24 months
Learn More
in collaboration with Compost Council of Canada, to produce a comprehensive report on the status of soil carbon sequestration efforts in Canada’s managed soils and a practical toolkit to...
2019—2020
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$100,000
Term
24 months
Learn More
in partnership with Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation, to help establish an Indigenous Protected Area in the Fawn River Watershed
2019—2020
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$225,000
Term
36 months
Learn More
in partnership with Lutsel K’e Dene First Nation, K’atl’odeeche First Nation, Dehcho First Nations, Sambaa K’e First Nation, Ka’agee Tu First Nation, Jean Marie River First...
2018—2020
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$25,000
Term
12 months
Learn More
to support the Nature-Based Climate Solutions Summit, a two-day national gathering in Ottawa organized by a collection of Canada’s leading nature and conservation organizations. The...
2019
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$47,500
Term
12 months
Learn More
in partnership with Smart Prosperity Institute and in collaboration with Nature United, to research successful and emerging conservation finance tools and assess their applicability in...
2019
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$10,000
Term
12 months
Learn More
to support time-sensitive mapping and travel expenses
2019
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$200,000
Term
24 months
Learn More
in partnership with The Nature Conservancy Global Lands & Carbon Science Teams, to convene some of North America’s leading scientists, along with policy makers in government who...
2018—2019
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$40,000
Term
12 months
Learn More
in partnership with Poplar River First Nation, to assess the potential of a carbon management and benefits sharing agreement between the Government of Manitoba and Poplar River First...
2018
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$25,000
Term
12 months
Learn More
to support planning, organizing, and delivering The Nature of Climate Change, national gathering of Canada’s major conservation organizations with a specific focus on widening and...
2018
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$63,250
Term
12 months
Learn More
in partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and led by Dr. Risa Smith, Co-Chair of IUCN’s Protected Areas Climate Change Specialist Group, this...
2018
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$66,000
Term
12 months
Learn More
led by Dr. Faisla Moola of the Department of Geography, Environment, and Geomatics to investigate how Indigenous-led, nature-based carbon sequestration efforts align with more universal...
2018
Initiative
Carbon Landscapes
Amount
$36,275
Term
12 months
Learn More
to synthesize the state of knowledge related to carbon values and valuation processes in unmanaged forests, with a focus on Ontario and Quebec, which contain significant peatlands and where...
2018
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