News release

Funding Announced for Wildlife Conservation

Natural Resources (to July 2018)

Nine projects focusing on wildlife conservation have been approved for funding under the Habitat Conservation Fund by Natural Resources Minister Tim Olive. Money for the Habitat Conservation Fund is generated through the required purchase of a $2 Wildlife Habitat Stamp on all hunting licences in Nova Scotia.

"All of the money collected in this fund is used for habitat conservation," said Mr. Olive. "This fund provides an excellent opportunity for organizations or individuals outside of government to access funding to assist with the work they are doing in support of wildlife habitat."

This is the program's second year and nine projects, totalling $120,753, have been approved. The project applications were reviewed and recommended by an independent board of directors, consisting of members from hunter, naturalist and academic associations.

"This special fund was developed with the support of the hunting community," said Tony Rodgers, executive director of the Nova Scotia Federation of Anglers and Hunters. "Last year the board recommended nine projects, all of which benefited wildlife habitat."

The primary goal of the fund is to assist with programs that protect and enhance wildlife habitats. Projects may be funded up to 75 per cent on a cost-shared basis and must fall into one of four categories: purchase of land for the benefit of wildlife, habitat improvement, wildlife habitat research and related education programs.

Successful recipients of funding for 2002 and their projects are:

  • Making Nova Scotia's Lakes Loon Friendly (Year 2), Bird Studies Canada
  • Forest Legacy Project (Year 2), Nova Scotia Nature Trust
  • Private Land Habitat Conservation Project, Ducks Unlimited Canada
  • Adopt-A-Class Field Days Program, Ducks Unlimited Canada
  • Coastlines Natural History Column, Ecology Action Centre
  • Benefits and Risks of Agro-ecosystem Management to Grassland Birds in Nova Scotia, Joseph Nocera
  • Kings County Riparian Fencing Project, Friends of the Cornwallis River
  • American Marten and Canada Lynx Population Recovery on Cape Breton Island, Wildlife Conservation Society
  • Ecology of Bats in Nova Scotia, Hugh Broders (project deferred for 2002)

Applications for 2003 can be submitted to the Department of Natural Resources wildlife division between Dec. 1 and Jan. 31, 2003. Submission guidelines and application forms can be obtained from any Department of Natural Resources office or on the Web site, at www.gov.ns.ca/natr/wildlife/habfund .