Protecting habitats

• Up to 50% of eligible project costs covered for Knowledge and Planning (Axe 1).
• Up to 75% of eligible costs covered for Habitat Protection (Axe 2) and Stewardship (Axe 3).
• Contribution to endowment/management fund cannot exceed 20% of the fair market value of the property, up to a maximum of $150,000.
• General and administrative overhead is limited to 10% of the awarded funding amount.

• The applicant must be a conservation organization based in Quebec, such as a not-for-profit, land trust, or organization with a primary mission of preserving natural environments, as indicated in their founding documents.
• Organizations must have a provision in their bylaws ensuring that, in the event of dissolution, properties will be transferred to another entity with a similar conservation mission.
• Municipalities may be eligible if they clearly demonstrate that conservation use will be guaranteed and maintained in perpetuity (e.g., recognition as a Natural Reserve, conservation servitude, or co-ownership with a conservation NGO).
• The project must focus on the long-term protection of high ecological value habitats, maintenance of habitats for threatened or vulnerable species, or foster connectivity between protected natural areas.
• The project must be located primarily on private land within Quebec and target habitats of high ecological, faunal, or floristic value, or ecological corridors essential for conservation.

Who is eligible?

• Non-profit conservation organizations whose primary mission is the preservation of natural environments
• Land trusts or social utility trusts with objectives focused on natural habitat conservation
• Non-profit legal entities with explicit conservation missions and dissolution clauses directing assets to similar organizations
• Municipalities (if they can ensure long-term conservation purposes, such as through natural reserve recognition or partnership with conservation NGOs)

Who is not eligible

• Companies whose main activity is not the preservation of natural environments (unless they can demonstrate a clear conservation mission in legal documentation).
• Organizations that do not qualify as non-profit conservation organizations, land trusts, or public-interest entities with a primary mission of natural habitat protection.
• Projects for which the acquisition deed has already been signed.
• Projects required by law as compensation for a degraded environment.
• Municipalities are not eligible for management fund support; and projects intending to subsequently transfer property or conservation easements to a municipality or the Quebec government cannot access management funds under this grant.

Eligible expenses

• Salaries and benefits directly related to the project.
• Travel, accommodation, and transport costs necessary for project activities.
• Professional fees for consultants and technical experts, such as legal, surveying, and evaluation services.
• Costs and fees associated with real estate transactions, including acquisition of property titles or conservation servitudes and related taxes (TPS/TVQ not refundable).
• Contribution to a stewardship or endowment fund for long-term site management (subject to a limit of 20% of the property's fair market value, minimum $5,000 suggested).
• Purchase of goods required for project implementation, such as fencing, signage, trail materials, lumber, or related infrastructure components.
• Communication expenses for project promotion, including content creation, production, translation, printing, publication, media relations, and dissemination.
• Non-recoverable GST/PST amounts paid on eligible expenses.
• General administration and overhead fees, up to 10% of the granted financial support (for items like office rental, administrative support, IT, supplies, and professional association memberships as required).
• In-kind contributions (goods or services essential to the project provided without monetary exchange, including volunteer time or donated materials and services).

Eligible geographic areas

• Private lands located within the province of Quebec.

• Relevance to the objectives and priorities of the program, including contribution to the mandate of the Foundation.
• Scope and ecological value of the proposed intervention, such as ecological importance, size, biodiversity, and conservation interest of the targeted territory.
• Pertinence and effectiveness of the proposed activities addressing actual threats and ensuring long-term habitat protection.
• Degree of project planning and quality of the application, including realistic timelines, clear financial tables, and concrete deliverables with evaluation mechanisms.
• Financial dimension, including cost-effectiveness, the extent of anticipated results versus project costs, and level of financial and partnership engagement.

• It is strongly recommended to contact the Rseau de milieux naturels protégés (RMN) for support in project planning and preparation.
• For projects under the ACSQ partnership, supported initiatives must be completed no later than December 15, 2027.
• Partner organizations, such as Conservation de la nature Canada and Ministère de l
  9Environnement, provide important co-financing and may influence funding availability.
• The program requires the submission of certain documents, such as published property deeds and evidence of fund transfers for management funds, after acquisition projects are completed.