The Indigenous Partnerships for Species at Risk (IPSAR), formerly known as the ‘Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk (AFSAR)’, is a Government of Canada program administered by Environment and Climate Change Canada. The program recognizes the important role Indigenous Peoples have in wildlife conservation by supporting Indigenous leadership in the conservation, protection and recovery of species at risk and culturally significant species, and their habitats on Indigenous lands or territories. The program also supports the development of Indigenous capacity to actively participate in the implementation of the Species at Risk Act (SARA). 

The IPSAR supports projects for terrestrial species^{Footnote 1} including birds, land mammals, reptiles, and plants.

Since 2004, more than $56 million has been invested in over 900 Indigenous-led projects benefitting species at risk across Canada.

Explore the Indigenous Partnerships for Species at Risk

Objective

IPSAR provides funding for projects that help conserve, protect, and recover species at risk, culturally significant species, and their habitats. It also provides funding to support the development of capacity to actively participate in the implementation of the SARA. Proposed activities must demonstrate how they help achieve recovery objectives and population goals of target species and must contribute to one or more of the following objectives:

• support and promote the conservation, protection and recovery of target species and their habitats on Indigenous lands or lands where traditional food, social, and ceremonial activities are carried out by Indigenous Peoples
• support the engagement and leadership of Indigenous Peoples in the conservation and recovery of species at risk, their habitats and SARA processes

Apply for funding

The annual IPSAR call for applications for 2025-2026 is open from September 17 to October 30, 2024. The deadline to submit an application is October 30 at 14:00 Eastern Time. Explore the information in this section to learn more about the process.

How to apply for funding

Find out about available funding, eligibility requirements, when the call for applications is open, and how to apply.

Applicant guide

Review step-by-step instructions on how to apply using the online Grants and Contributions Enterprise Management System (GCEMS).

News releases

The IPSAR news releases and announced projects can be found below.

• Government of Canada announces funding for Indigenous communities to protect species at risk and their habitats (June 27, 2024)
• Government of Canada announces funding for Indigenous communities to protect species at risk and their habitats (June 29, 2022)
• Government of Canada announces funding for protection of species at risk and their habitats (December 8, 2021)

Contact Us

For general questions, enquiries, and news about the IPSAR, including funding opportunities, please contact the National IPSAR Office or any of our regional coordinators.

National IPSAR Office
Email: PAEP-IPSAR@ec.gc.ca

New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island
Atlantic IPSAR Regional Coordinator
Email: SCF-ATL.PAEP-CWS-ATL.IPSAR@ec.gc.ca

Quebec
Maxime Chénier
Email: maxime.chenier@ec.gc.ca

Ontario
Danielle Aulenback
Email: danielle.aulenback@ec.gc.ca

Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan
Maggie Glasgow
Email: maggie.glasgow@ec.gc.ca

British Columbia
Gillian Booth
Email: gillian.booth@ec.gc.ca

Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Yukon
Sara Wong
Email: sara.wong2@ec.gc.ca