Nature Conservancy of Canada/La Société canadienne pour la conservation de la nature

The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC; French: La Société canadienne pour la conservation de la nature) is a non-profit conservation organization dedicated to protecting Canada’s natural landscapes, biodiversity, and ecosystems. Established in 1962 in Toronto, Ontario, it has become Canada’s leading land conservation charity, safeguarding over 160,000 square kilometers of ecologically significant land and freshwater habitats nationwide[^5^].

History

Founded by a group of naturalists, including ecologist J. Bruce Falls and conservationists Aird Lewis and Dave Fowle, the NCC emerged to address habitat loss through direct, private land acquisition[^2^][^5^]. Inspired by international land trusts, the organization aimed to protect vulnerable ecosystems from development. Its first protected area, Cavan Swamp Wildlife Area (13.4 km²) in Ontario, was acquired in 1968 and remains a critical wetland habitat[^5^].

Mission and Approach

The NCC’s mission focuses on long-term conservation through science-based planning, partnerships, and community engagement. Key strategies include:

• Land securement: Purchasing or accepting donations of ecologically critical areas.
• Stewardship: Managing protected sites to ensure ecological integrity.
• Collaboration: Partnering with Indigenous communities, governments, corporations, and private landowners[^5][^3].
  The organization prioritizes habitats for endangered species, migratory corridors, and climate-resilient ecosystems[^3].

Conservation Impact

Operating in every Canadian province and territory, the NCC has protected diverse landscapes, including:

• Grasslands in Saskatchewan and Alberta.
• Coastal ecosystems in British Columbia and Atlantic Canada.
• Boreal forests and Arctic tundra[^5][^3].
  Its work supports species-at-risk recovery, such as burrowing owls and monarch butterflies, while mitigating climate change through carbon sequestration[^2][^5].

Governance and Recognition

As a registered charity (Business Registration Number: 119246544RR0001), the NCC adheres to rigorous financial and operational standards. It is governed by a national board of directors and supported by regional councils, ensuring localized conservation strategies[^5]. The organization has received international acclaim for its innovative public-private funding models and large-scale habitat protection achievements[^2][^5].

[^2^]: NCC: Our Story
[^3^]: The Nature Conservancy: Canada
[^5^]: The Canadian Encyclopedia

[1] https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/who-we-are/our-mission-vision-and-values/ [2] https://www.natureconservancy.ca/en/who-we-are/impact/our-story.html [3] https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/canada/ [4] https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/who-we-are/our-history/ [5] https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/nature-conservancy-of-canada