Conserving and restoring nature is fundamental to mitigating climate change. Using nature-based solutions will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions while providing benefits for biodiversity and human well-being. Canada is committed to implementing nature-based solutions to help meet its 2030 Paris Agreement emissions reduction target and transition to a net-zero economy by 2050.

Today, the Honourable Anthony Rota, Member of Parliament for Nipissing-Timiskaming revealed the details of a $1.2 million investment over five years to support the Ontario Woodlot Association. Their project is called Enhancing Carbon Capture and Biodiversity in Ontario’s Privately Owned Forests using Best Management Practices Informed by High Resolution Inventory, and part of that project will take place in Mattawa.

Rota says, “Investments to conserve, restore and enhance these vital ecosystems in northern Ontario and increase their resilience will support progress toward the Government of Canada’s targets to address climate change. They also contribute to Canada’s efforts to transition to a net-zero economy by 2050, help stem biodiversity loss and create jobs in the green economy.”

Executive Director of Ontario Woodlot Association John Pineau says, “The Ontario Woodlot Association is grateful to Environment and Climate Change Canada for its support of private forest owners in Ontario, to better manage for climate change, ecosystem resiliency and biodiversity. The Nature Smart Climate Solutions funding will allow us to develop state-of-the-art forest inventories that inform the application of best management practices that enhance carbon storage for many landowners, including our members.”

President of Ontario Woodlot Association Paul Robertson says “Climate change has become a key area of concern for Ontario Woodlot Association members. The funding from Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Nature Smart Climate Solutions Program allows us to work toward both mitigating and adapting at local, regional, and provincial scales. Private landowners across Ontario will gain a better knowledge of the make-up of their forests and will learn new solutions and skills that contribute positively to our era’s greatest ecosystem challenges.”

The Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund (NSCSF) is a $631-million, 10-year fund to support projects that restore and enhance wetlands, peatlands and grasslands that store and capture carbon. Nature-based solutions are actions that conserve, sustainably manage, and restore ecosystems, helping to mitigate the impacts of climate change, build resilience and improve water quality, and provide critical habitat for Canada’s wildlife. 

Quick facts

• Nature-based solutions are defined by the United Nations Environment Assembly as “actions to protect, conserve, restore, sustainably use and manage natural or modified terrestrial, freshwater, coastal and marine ecosystems, which address social, economic and environmental challenges effectively and adaptively, while simultaneously providing human well-being, ecosystem services and resilience and biodiversity benefits.”\
• These ecosystems are also critically important habitat for Canada’s wildlife, including migratory birds and species at risk.
• In 2021, the Government of Canada committed to invest $4 billion over 10 years (2021–2031) in the Natural Climate Solutions Fund, including $631 million in the Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund (NSCSF), led by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). Up to $36.9 million of that total is set aside for Indigenous Partnerships.
• The Government of Canada’s 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan committed an additional $780 million to NSCSF.
• The 41 Nature Smart Climate Solutions projects ECCC is supporting in 2022-23 will receive a total of up to $109 million over the next five years, divided as follows:

• • Up to $97 million will go to 24 Place-Based projects that will conserve about 32,000 hectares, restore up to 5,500 hectares, and enhance the management of about 450 hectares of wetlands, grasslands and forest areas.

• • Up to $3 million will support two Reverse Auction projects: and

• • Up to $9 million will support 15 Sector-Based Policy projects.
• The NSCSF supports Canada’s goal to transition to a net-zero economy by 2050.
• The NSCSF supports Canada’s goal to protect 25 percent of lands and 25 percent of oceans by 2025, and to work towards 30 percent by 2030.

Associated links

• Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund