Habitat Glossary
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Ecological connectivity refers to the ability of wildlife species to move within their range. Thus, a landscape characterized by high ecological connectivity favors the movement of species across the territory.
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Functional diversity is the diversity of functional traits (or biological characteristics) of species found in a given area.
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The notion of resilience refers to the capacity of a natural environment to recover from a disturbance, so as to maintain the ecological functions it provided in its initial state.
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Ecosystem services are the benefits rendered by nature through the functioning of natural ecosystems. Some services, such as carbon sequestration and storage, help to regulate the climate, while others, such as filtering pollutants or supplying drinking water, ensure the well-being of the population.
These services are numerous, and it is possible to assign a monetary value to some of them to reflect the value that nature brings to society.
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Nature-based solutions are all actions that use nature to combat biodiversity loss and climate change. They aim to protect nature, manage it sustainably and restore natural or modified ecosystems.
Examples include reforestation, forest protection, afforestation of riparian strips and protection of wetlands.
Our Nature-based Solutions, in line with international recommendations (UN, COP 15), aim to solve societal challenges while having a positive impact. Defined by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as actions to protect, sustainably manage and restore ecosystems in order to respond effectively to social challenges while promoting human well-being and biodiversity, they receive only 3% of global climate funding. Yet, according to IUCN, they could cover 30 to 40% of the climate mitigation needs to meet the Paris Agreement targets.
Financing directory
This directory brings together a wide range of funding programs designed to help you carry out sustainable land-use planning projects, enhance and conserve natural environments and biodiversity, or manage urban or natural forests.
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In February 2024, the Quebec government launched the "Accelerating Local Climate Transition (ATCL)" program. This program offers an investment of $500 million over 5 years to Quebec municipalities that commit to implementing a Climate Plan on their territory. ATCL is part of the Plan for a Green Economy 2030, the framework policy launched by the government in 2020, which sets out the roadmap for the fight against climate change in Quebec over the next 10 years.
To qualify for funding, municipalities are required to submit a Climate Plan to the government via their MRC. This document must be created in consultation with local stakeholders and reflect the needs of the entire territory concerned.
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The OASIS program aims to provide financial support to municipal organizations and aboriginal communities to help them plan and carry out greening projects that will enable them to better adapt their environment to the impacts of climate change.
The program supports greening projects that will reduce the impact of heat waves and torrential rains, two weather phenomena that are becoming increasingly frequent as a result of climate change.
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PRAFI aims to increase the safety of people and the protection of property from flooding in built-up areas. It also aims to increase the resilience of communities and ecosystems in the face of intensifying risks due to climate change.
It has four components:Establishment of project offices for planning the development of flood-prone areas on the scale of certain watersheds;
Continuation of flood hazard mapping work carried out under the eight financial assistance agreements, based on a standardized methodology;
Support for resilient developments in the built environment;
Support for the relocation of areas at high risk of flooding.
Municipal organizations can apply for financial assistance to support resilient developments or building relocation projects.Resilient development component
Community resilience and relocation component
- Program Guide - Flood Resiliency and Adaptation Program - Resilient Development Component - -
Through the Green Municipal Fund, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities funds initiatives to help Canadian cities and communities conduct feasibility studies for bold environmental projects to reduce GHG emissions and protect air, water or soil quality.
Your study may compare different options or assess the ability of an option to create transformative changes in the energy, transport, waste, water or land use sectors (or a combination of these sectors).
The grant can be up to $175,000 and cover up to 50% of eligible costs.
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In 2018, the Government of Canada established the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF) and committed $2 billion to the fund over 10 years. The funds are invested in structural and natural infrastructure projects to increase the resilience of communities that are affected by natural disasters triggered by climate change.
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The $631 million fund supports projects that result in greenhouse gas reductions and increased carbon sequestration through the conservation, restoration, or improved management of wetlands, grasslands, or forests.
Projects should focus on the conservation, restoration and improved management of important habitats for migratory birds, species at risk and other species of cultural and/or socio-economic importance to local communities.
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The Programme de restauration et de création de milieux humides et hydriques (wetlands and waterways restoration and creation programme), which has a three-year duration, aims to finance pre-feasibility studies and the concrete implementation of functional and sustainable wetlands and waterways restoration and creation projects (MHH). It includes two components
Component 1 - Support for a pre-feasibility study for a project to restore or create a MHH
Component 2 - Support for MHH restoration or creation projects.
Eligible amount depending on the component:
Component 1: The maximum financial assistance granted is $20,000 per project selected for regional county municipalities (RCMs) where financial contributions have been made to the Fund.
Component 2: The maximum financial assistance granted is $1 million per project selected and varies according to the amounts available in the MRC.
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The Municipal Biodiversity Fund is a tool that enables municipalities/cities to contribute effectively to major environmental challenges by carrying out projects to protect and improve natural environments on their territory.
On a voluntary basis, each municipality/city in Quebec is invited to contribute to the Fund:
By paying a maximum amount equivalent to $1 per household or tax unit per year into a fund set aside for it.
By using the accumulated funds to carry out projects to protect natural environments in collaboration with local partners.
Several types of projects are eligible for this fund, including the development of conservation plans for natural environments and preliminary studies for protection and restoration.
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Environment and Climate Change Canada established the Environmental Damages Fund (EDF) to restore the environment and conserve wildlife and habitats in a cost-effective, technically feasible and scientifically sound manner. The money invested is used to fund projects that focus on these pillars:
Improving the quality of the environment;
Research and development on land reclamation;
Education and awareness of issues affecting the health of the natural environment.
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This Fund supports projects that use natural or hybrid approaches to protect the natural environment, foster healthy and resilient communities, and contribute to economic growth and job creation. Projects must fall into one of the four categories listed below:
Development or restoration of green spaces (urban forests, green roofs, community parks and gardens, etc.);
Construction or restoration of naturalized water retention systems (naturalized stormwater ponds, wetlands and coastal restoration);
Naturalized water diversion or infiltration (e.g., living dikes, rain gardens, bioswales or permeable ground cover);
Natural or hybrid infrastructure that promotes biodiversity and connectivity.
Municipalities, Aboriginal recipients, not-for-profit organizations and private for-profit organizations, working in collaboration with another eligible public recipient, are eligible to participate in the program.
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This financial assistance program aims to support municipal organizations in Greater Montreal in order to continue the implementation of the Green and Blue Network on the metropolitan territory. It aims to prioritize projects that contribute to achieving the metropolitan objectives identified in the Metropolitan Land Use and Development Plan (PMAD), which was the subject of consultations with the 82 municipalities of the Community.
The financial contribution can be up to the equivalent of two thirds (2/3) of the eligible expenses of a project.
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The Fondation de la faune du Québec can help you with your wildlife habitat conservation, development or enhancement projects through one of its many financial assistance programs. Each year, the Foundation subsidizes an average of 400 new projects.