Hydro-Québec program for the enhancement of natural environments

• Financial aid can cover up to 100% of project costs for grants under $50,000.
• For grants between $50,000 and $99,999, support is capped at 75% of total project costs.
• For grants of $100,000 or more, maximum assistance is 50% of total project costs.
• For land acquisition projects, the program contributes a maximum of $100,000, with at least 10% of the contribution dedicated to an educational or enhancement component.
• The financial support may be distributed over a period of up to 36 months.

• The applicant must be a public or private organization. Individuals are not eligible.
• For property or servitude acquisition projects, only non-profit organizations with a mission of conservation and protection of Quebec's natural heritage are eligible (with rare exceptions for municipalities under strict conditions).
• The project must focus on the protection, enhancement, or restoration of natural environments, targeting biodiversity conservation and/or public education on local environmental issues.
• The project must take place within the province of Quebec, prioritizing natural environments that provide public accessibility.
• All required documentation must be submitted as specified by the program guidelines at the time of application.

Who is eligible?

• Public organizations
• Private organizations
• Non-profit organizations (for acquisition projects, must have a mission focused on conservation and protection of Quebec's natural heritage)
• Municipalities (acquisition projects only, under strict conditions guaranteeing long-term conservation)

Who is not eligible

• Individuals (private persons) are not eligible.
• Projects related to voluntary (private stewardship) conservation are not eligible.
• Organizations whose projects are strictly recreational, economic, or recurrent in nature are not eligible.
• Projects located on land that is not accessible to the public are not eligible.

Eligible expenses

• Salaries and regular benefits directly attributable to project coordination, supervision, and execution, including related travel expenses.
• Specialized service fees and consultant/expert costs.
• Purchase of materials, tools, and light equipment, as well as rental costs for machinery or equipment needed for the project.
• Transportation, installation of equipment, and other costs directly related to project realization.
• Rental or depreciation costs of IT equipment used for the project (up to 33% of the equipment's value annually for up to three years from the purchase date).
• Administrative and office expenses (e.g., office rental, supplies, stationery, photocopying, telephony, postage, accounting), up to a maximum of 10% of total project expenses.
• For land acquisition projects: purchase price of land or conservation easement, property transfer duties, municipal and school tax adjustments, lease fees, accredited property appraisal costs, surveying costs, legal and notary fees, and consultant support fees for legal processes.
• Contribution to a property management or endowment fund (up to 10% of the fair market value of the property, to a maximum of $30,000).
• Direct expenses and documented in-kind contributions (e.g., volunteer time, loan or donation of equipment or materials essential to project delivery).

Eligible geographic areas

• Québec (entire province)

• Quality and completeness of the application.
• Level of project planning and monitoring mechanisms.
• Applicant's capability to execute and follow up on the project.
• Ecological value of the targeted natural environment.
• Expected economic, social, and environmental impacts of the project.

• A signed agreement with the Fondation de la faune du Québec is required before the project can commence.
• Monitoring and annual reporting obligations may continue up to three years after project completion.
• The grant can offer up to 100% coverage of project costs for funding requests under $50,000.
• For acquisition projects, a management fund transfer report is required one, three, and five years after property acquisition.