Environment and Climate Change Canada

Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk

Program Summary

The Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk (AFSAR) plays an important role in the recovery of species at risk on Indigenous lands by encouraging meaningful involvement of Indigenous Peoples and communities in the implementation of the Species at Risk Act. Funds are allocated to projects that protect habitat and contribute to the recovery of species at risk, as well as to projects that prevent other species from becoming a conservation concern.

The fund supports Indigenous organizations and communities across Canada in building their ability to participate in the protection and recovery of species at risk, preventing species from becoming a conservation concern, and recovering and protecting important habitat on Indigenous lands and waters.

Funding under AFSAR is separated into two streams:

  • The AFSAR Species at Risk (SAR) Stream focuses on projects addressing the recovery of species at risk listed on Schedule 1 of SARA; and
  • The AFSAR Prevention Stream focuses on projects addressing other species, beyond those listed on SARA, to prevent them from becoming a conservation concern.

Eligible Recipients

  • Indigenous associations/organizations
  • Territorially based Indigenous groups
  • District councils/Chief and council
  • Traditional appointed advisory committees
  • Indigenous corporations
  • Tribal councils
  • Indigenous partnerships and groups
  • Indigenous school authorities
  • Indigenous cultural education centres
  • Indigenous land/resource management authorities
  • Indigenous cooperatives
  • Indigenous societies
  • Indigenous boards and commissions
  • Other organizations (Indigenous and non-Indigenous) if mandated by one of the above eligible recipients

Funding is Canada-wide. Projects must take place on:

  • Reserves and Lands set apart for the use and benefit of Indigenous Peoples under the Indian Act or under section 91 (24) of the Constitution Act, 1867;
  • Other lands directly controlled by Indigenous Peoples (e.g., Métis Settlement lands, and land claim/treaty settlement lands), and lands set aside in the Yukon and Northwest Territories pursuant to Cabinet Directive, circular No.27;
  • Lands and waters where traditional activities (harvesting or other) are carried out; and
  • Federal waters.

Application Deadline

The application submission period for projects commencing in 2023-2024 is now closed..

Contact

For general ECCC or Canadian Wildlife Service inquiries, please contact 1-800-668-6767 or ec.enviroinfo.ec@ec.gc.ca.

If you have any further questions, please contact us at AFSAR-FAEP@ec.gc.ca or contact your regional AFSAR coordinator. Please note that regional AFSAR coordinators are available to answer questions during regular business hours, local time.

AFSAR Regional Coordinators

New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island
Tania Morais
Email: Tania.Morais@ec.gc.ca
Telephone: 506-224-0279

Quebec
Jordan Drapeau
Email: jordan.drapeau@ec.gc.ca
Telephone: 418-563-5397

Ontario
Renee Turza
Email: renee.turza@ec.gc.ca
Telephone: 416-739-5897

Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan
Carmen Callihoo-Payne
Email: carmen.callihoo-payne@ec.gc.ca
Telephone: 780-721-5914

British Columbia
Jenna Bedore
Email: jenna.bedore@ec.gc.ca
Telephone: 604-343-0634

Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Yukon
Dawn Andrews
Email: dawn.andrews@ec.gc.ca
Telephone: 867-444-0531