Webinar: Canada Nature Fund for Aquatic Species at Risk (CNFASAR)

Presentation Overview

• Context
• Objectives
• Criteria and priorities
• Priority threats and places
• CNFASAR fund details
• Steps in the CNAFSAR process
• CNFASAR timeline
• Contact information
• Annex 1. EOI guidance
• Annex 2. Habitat Stewardship Program (HSP), the Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk (AFSAR), and the Canada Nature Fund for Aquatic Species at Risk (CNFASAR)
• Annex 3. Actions DFO is seeking to fund under the CNFASAR, in each priority area and to address each priority threat

Context

The Government of Canada has invested $1.35 billion from Budget 2018 in Canada’s Nature Legacy.

DFO’s Ecosystem Management sector received $55 million in Contributions funding over 5 years to contribute to the recovery of aquatic species at risk through the establishment of a new contribution program, Canada’s Nature Fund for Aquatic Species at Risk (CNFASAR).

The Fund seeks to support recovery actions in priority places for aquatic species at risk and to mitigate priority threats, through the engagement of Indigenous organizations, provinces and territories, resource users, local groups, communities, industries and academia.

The Fund aims to improve the sustainability of Canada’s aquatic ecosystems by supporting multi-species and ecosystem approaches to recovery, that focus on seven priority freshwater places and two priority marine threats.

Objectives

CNFASAR aims to slow the decline of aquatic species at risk and enable a leap forward in species recovery through the injection of targeted funding for recovery activities that address priority places and threats.

The objectives of the Fund are to:

• align with the larger, coordinated, and integrated federal approach to conserving biodiversity (i.e., the Nature Legacy for Canada);
• promote strategic and lasting collaboration with Indigenous Peoples, stakeholders, and other interested parties;
• leverage capacity, expertise and resources through collaboration and engagement;
• achieve protection, recovery actions and reporting that support the conservation and stewardship of species at risk; and
• demonstrate outcomes that are transparent, measurable, timely, and align with the Government’s conservation policy priorities.

Criteria and priorities

The Fund is intended to provide targeted, directed funding to organizations and groups with the capacity to recover aquatic species at risk in priority places and address priority threats.

Criteria used to select priority places and threats:

• Presence and status of COSEWIC-assessed or SARA-listed aquatic species at risk
• The key threats to the species and the severity/significance of the threats
• Threat management potential
• Multispecies and ecosystem benefits
• Potential for collaborators, partners, applicants, and leaders
• Results that could be achieved within 2-5 years

Priority threats and places

Two marine priority threats:

1. Fishing interactions - includes entanglements and bycatch of aquatic species at risk (geographic scope: all Canadian oceans)
2. Physical and acoustic disturbance - includes vessel collisions & marine noise (geographic scope: all Canadian oceans)

Seven freshwater priority places:

1. Fraser and Columbia Watersheds Priority Area (BC)
2. Rocky Mountains’ Eastern Slopes Priority Area (AB)
3. Southern Prairies Priority Area (AB, SK, MB)
4. Lower Great Lakes Watershed Priority Area (ON)
5. St. Lawrence Lowlands Priority Area (QC)
6. Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence Rivers Priority Area (NB, NS, PEI)
7. Bay of Fundy and Southern Uplands Watersheds Priority Area (NS, NB)

The CNFASAR funding provides an opportunity to focus on seven freshwater priority places and 2 priority threats in the marine environment

Annex 3 includes tables that describe the kinds of projects that DFO is seeking to fund in each priority area or to address each priority theat. These tables are also available on the DFO website.

CNFASAR fund details

To be eligible, applicants must demonstrate how their projects and associated activities:

• address a CNFASAR priority area or threat, and align with or complement the activities that DFO is seeking to fund;
• target aquatic species listed in Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act, or assessed as at risk by COSEWIC;
• align with existing federal, provincial, or other local plans where recovery measures and priorities have been identified in recovery documentation (i.e., management plans, recovery strategies, and action plans);
• benefit multiple aquatic species at risk; and
• engage a broad number of partners.

Eligible recipients under the Fund include:

• indigenous communities, groups and organizations in Canada; (e.g. Tribal Councils, Governments, watershed or conservation organizations, commercial enterprises, etc.);
• Canadian provincial, territorial, and municipal governments.
• Canadian non-governmental organizations, industry, and their associations;
• community organizations and stewardship bodies (e.g. non-profit organizations situated in municipalities or regions);
• post-secondary academic researchers and institutions.

Eligible activities under the Fund include:

• activities that create, rebuild, restore, and recover habitat for aquatic species at risk;
• activities that mitigate threats to aquatic species at risk or respond to recovery priorities;
• skills development, including management and technical training;
• feasibility and diagnostic studies, planning, environmental evaluations, surveys or mapping;
• stewardship, outreach, & relationship building in support of recovery actions;
• construction, architectural, engineering, design, and maintenance activities;
• necessary research leading to the protection & recovery of aquatic species at risk;
• documentation of Indigenous knowledge related to aquatic species at risk, as part of Indigenous-led projects; and
• monitoring of and reporting on threat mitigation or recovery actions.

Eligible costs under CNFASAR

The following costs are eligible to CNFASAR reimbursement, including:

• training and training materials;
• facility rental, materials and supplies;
• maintenance and repair;
• construction and related costs;
• professional and technical services;
• machinery and equipment purchase or rental (including vehicles);
• hosting of conferences, workshops, meetings, hospitality in compliance with the Directive on Travel;
• purchase or rental of vehicles;
• printing, publishing;
• translation or interpreter costs;
• monitoring and reporting;
• travel based on National Joint Council Directives;
• administrative overhead up to 10% of eligible costs of the project;
• telecommunications, data services;
• postage, parcel post, courier services;
• insurance expenses related to funded activities under your agreement;
• salaries, wages and employer mandatory benefits (not applicable to core staff);
• any GST/HST that is not reimbursable by Canada Revenue Agency, and any PST not reimbursable by the provinces.

Ineligible expenses/activities include:

• land purchase or securement;
• human resource costs for core/salaried personnel;
• research or planning that is not directly related to recovery or threat mitigation work;
• financial audit costs where the recipient wants to audit their own books;
• shoreline stabilization not associated with aquatic species at risk habitat restoration;
• regulatory requirements, such as offsetting and authorizations or permits;
• construction of a replacement boat launch, pier, fishing platform, etc.;
• the installation or relocation of power lines (power lines are considered infrastructure);
• interest fees related to an acquired line of credit;
• decontamination (e.g., sludge removal, capping);
• restoration of habitats in support of the development of new commercial and recreational fisheries; and
• promotional materials.

Note the program allows governments (i.e., Federal, Provincial/Territorial, and municipal) to pay for any of the listed eligible expenditures of a project.

However, no more than 50% of the total funding for a project can come from the Federal government (matching profile 1:1).

For Indigenous recipients, the total Federal government assistance cannot be more than 80% of the total eligible expenditures of a project (matching profile 0.2:1).

Note that Indigenous-led projects will not be administered under the Nature Fund Terms & Conditions, they will be administered under the Integrated Aboriginal Contribution Management Framework (IACMF).

Steps in the CNFASAR process

The program takes into consideration a project’s full lifecycle, which includes:

1. Expression of Interest – Eligible groups submit project applications
2. EOI Review and Approval – All projects are assessed on 3 elements
3. Proposal – Applicants of successful EOIs will be asked to submit full proposals
4. Proposal Review and Approval – Proposals are assessed and approved
5. Contribution Agreement (CA) – Recipients of approved proposals will work with DFO to develop CAs that outline their project's parameters
6. Monitoring and Reporting – Recipients provide regular reports on project progress and outcomes
7. Long-term Sustainability – Following the end of the CNFASAR project, recipients continue maintaining and monitoring project sites

Projects that meet the mandatory criteria will be evaluated on three elements:

1. Biological Benefits: The proposed projects benefits to multiple aquatic species at risk
2. Technical Considerations: Sound budget, project feasibility, expertise of partners

Projects that meet the mandatory criteria will be evaluated on three elements:

3. Preference criteria:
   • clearly demonstrate Indigenous partnerships or leadership in their planning, development, and or implementation.
   • are multi-year projects;
   • promote a legacy by enabling actions to carry on beyond the 4 years for which funding is eligible;
   • support partnerships, relationship building, and the establishment of venues for continued collaboration, and information and knowledge sharing to support recovery actions beyond the 4 years for which funding is eligible; and
   • are between approximately $100,000 and $1,000,000 per year.

CNFASAR timeline

The timeline for this funding cycle is as follows:

• Expression of Interest: due March 22, 2019 23:59 PST
• EOI Review and Approval: March 22 - May
• Proposal development: May - June
• Proposal Review and Approval: June - July
• Confirmation of funded projects: July - August
• Contribution Agreement Negotiations: summer - fall 2019

Contact information

For more information on the CNFASAR…

Further information on the CNFASAR program, as well as the Expression of Interest form and guidelines can be found at: Canada Nature Fund for Aquatic Species at Risk (CNFASAR).

You can also follow us on Twitter at:

• @FishOceansCAN
• #OurNature

Annex 1. Expression of Interest Form guidance

Guidelines for filling out the Expression of Interest

The following slides will provide examples/samples of what is expected in the EoI

Some general guidelines:

• Be concise
• Avoid including attachments
• Provide a clear overview of your project (i.e., it does not have to be exhaustive)
• Describe how your project meets the program’s eligibility criteria and aligns with the program’s priorities.
• Engage DFO regional offices if you have any questions

Project location

Please identify your proposed project location.

• Additional sets of rows should be added for projects with more than one work site.
• The preferred format for identifying a project location(s) is in latitude and longitude decimal coordinates in degrees, minutes and seconds.

Project overview

Please provide an overview of the project including the main goals and objectives.

• Provide an overview of the project including the ecological need for the project and issues you intend to address.
• Identify the project goals and objectives that will be achieved within the timeframe of the project and the expected measurable results. Explain how you will accomplish these goals and objectives.

Proposed activities

Do the project activities align with or complement the activities that DFO is seeking to fund in each priority area or to address a priority threat? (Yes/No?). If yes, please describe the alignment or complementarity.

• Please refer DFO’s Nature Fund webpage for a list of the kinds of activities that DFO is seeking to fund in each freshwater priority area or to address a marine priority threat.
• Please describe how your proposed project aligns with or supports the listed activities.

Target species

Please list the target species and anticipated benefits to these species from the project.

• Please describe how your proposed project benefits each of the species listed in the table. Additional rows can be added.
• The full list of aquatic SARA-listed species and COSEWIC-assessed species that are subject to each marine threat or within each priority area, is included on the Fund website.

Broader initiatives or programs

The intent of this section is to identify overlaps and synergies.

Is your project currently fully or partially funded by the Habitat Stewardship Program (HSP), Coastal Restoration Fund, Aboriginal Funds for Species at Risk, or other DFO or federal funding program (Yes/No)?

If yes, please indicate the specific program and how your proposed project relates to it. In your response, please specify how proposed measures/activities in this project differ from what has received full or partial funding from other programs.

If no, does your project build on work that is or was funded by a DFO funding program, or other federal funds? (Yes/No)?

• Please indicate the specific program or initiative and describe the other funding sources. Clearly describe any overlaps or synergies.

Milestones

Identify milestones (i.e., key stages/activities within a project) and provide a description (including the techniques and/or methods that will be used). Please indicate if the proposed methodology is well-known/well-established, or if it is a new approach.

• Please identify milestones. Activities should be organized in fiscal years and there may be several activities for each fiscal year.

CNFASAR funding request

Enter the amount requested of CNFASAR for each year.

• Please break down the funding by activity or milestone where possible.
• Indicate the CNFASAR funding requested corresponding to each fiscal year.
• It is recommended that applicants consider appropriate funding distributions when developing budgets. For example, depending on the project:
  • 2019-2020 funding may focus on project planning;
  • Years 2020-2021 to 2021-2022 may focus on implementation of recovery measures; and
  • Year 2022-2023 may focus on monitoring

Collaboration among stakeholders and partners

Indicate whether you have confirmed or identified anticipated partners for your endeavor, and provide a short description of the contributions they will make.

• Does the project involve or engage Indigenous organizations and other stakeholders (e.g., academia, communities, conservation groups, other levels of government) in the planning, implementation and management of the initiative? If so please provide a short description of the support offered.

Project team experience

Provide details on the qualifications and relevant experience of your project team, in order to demonstrate the group’s experience and capacity to deliver the proposed project. We expect that projects will be multi-partner – please include information on all partners, including each group’s role in the project. Note that preference will be given to projects that include Indigenous partnerships.

• Please provide the details on the qualification and experience of your team relevant to the project proposal. This will be used to demonstrate you group’s experience and capacity to deliver on your initiative.

Promoting a nature legacy

Describe any measures or activities that will be undertaken as part of the proposed project to enable actions to carry on beyond the 4 years for which funding is eligible. For projects that involve construction, please indicate measures and/or approaches to reduce the need for ongoing maintenance.

• One of the goals of the CNFASR is to promote a Nature Legacy. Please describe any measures that will be carried out to ensure on-going sustainable results of the project and its activities beyond the life of this project.

Permits and permissions

Are permits and/or landowner permissions required to complete this project? (Yes/No). If permits and/or permissions are required for your project, please list the necessary permits and/or permissions below.

• If permits (federal, provincial, municipal etc.) or permissions (such as land owner permissions) are required to undertake any of the activities associated with this proposed project, please list them.

Annex 2. Habitat Stewardship Program (HSP), the Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk (AFSAR), and the Canada Nature Fund for Aquatic Species at Risk (CNFASAR)

Habitat Stewardship Program (HSP) / Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk (AFSAR)

• Funds focused on the conservation and recovery of species at risk more generally
• Preference for projects that focus on the implementation of priority activities described in federal recovery documents
• Preference to projects that are multi-species and multi-partner
• Program of general, annual application (not as focused on specific timeframe, area or threat).

Canada Nature Fund for Aquatic Species at Risk (CNFASAR)

• Funds focused on seven freshwater priority places and two marine threats
• Within the priorities, the fund is to be used to support specific recovery and threat mitigation actions that are described on DFO’s website
• The fund is intended to support large, multi-year, multi-species and multi-partner projects

Annex 3. Actions DFO is seeking to fund under the CNFASAR, in each priority area and to address each priority threat

Fishing interactions (entanglement and bycatch)

DFO is seeking to fund measures or activities that reduce fishing interactions with aquatic species at risk such as the following:

• Identification, documentation or monitoring of areas where there is a high likelihood of aquatic species at risk interacting with fishing activities.
• Education and outreach to industry, operators and the public regarding the impacts of fishing interactions on aquatic species at risk and methods to mitigate impacts.
• Support for partnerships, relationship building, and the establishment of venues for continued collaboration, and information and knowledge sharing to support recovery actions beyond the 4 years for which funding is eligible.
• Development, refinement and/or implementation of alternative technologies, best practices or tools to prevent, mitigate or monitor impacts from fishing interactions on aquatic species at risk. This may include a variety of initiatives such as, but not limited to:
  • industry-led measures to find and remove ghost gear;
  • measures to minimize marine mega-plastics from commercial fishing activities (e.g. bait box “liners”, and plastic “strappings” around new fish/shellfish product bags & boxes);
  • methods to accurately update estimates of and measures to reduce “struck and loss” marine mammals at risk during subsistence hunting activities;
  • development or testing of modifications to fishing gear and/or practices to reduce the frequency or severity of interactions with species at risk.
• Necessary or vital research to address key knowledge gaps and better understand how fishing interactions affect species at risk in the marine environment. 

Physical & Acoustic Disturbance (vessel collisions & marine noise)

DFO is seeking to fund measures or activities that contribute to mitigating physical and acoustic disturbances such as the following:

• The detection and monitoring of aquatic species at risk (including development, testing and/or implementation of technologies for detection of the presence/location of aquatic species),
• The development of tools and/or practices to disseminate information to industry or operators about species presence and/or potential interactions with aquatic species at risk.
• Education and outreach to industry, operators and the public regarding the potential impacts from physical and acoustic disturbance on aquatic species at risk in the marine environment and methods to mitigate these impacts.
• Support for partnerships, relationship building, and the establishment of venues for continued collaboration, and information and knowledge sharing to support recovery actions beyond the 4 years for which funding is eligible.
• Development, refinement, testing, or implementation of technologies, techniques, best practices or tools that could reduce impacts from physical and acoustic disturbance resulting from human activities on aquatic species at risk.
• Necessary or vital research to address key knowledge gaps and better understand how acoustic disturbances affect species at risk in the marine environment.

Columbia and Fraser Watersheds (BC)

DFO is seeking to fund measures or activities such as the following:

• Multi-species/ecosystem approaches to mitigate key threats to aquatic species at risk and their habitats (as identified in COSEWIC assessments and SARA recovery documents) and build lasting capacity and collaborations for future recovery efforts.
• Improvements in freshwater and tidal habitat quality and quantity where needed for SARA-listed and COSEWIC-assessed SAR recovery, including improvements to spawning habitats, etc. (e.g., water flow, riparian restoration, sediment control, light pollution).
• Management and mitigation of industrial activities, and monitoring of long-term outcomes for SAR in freshwater and tidal habitats.
• Targeted outreach to improve public awareness of SAR and their habitat requirements, promote recreational fishing regulations and tourism best practices, promote catch reporting (e.g., iREC, creel surveys, etc.), and increase stewardship activities that address key threats to species at risk.
• Support for partnerships, relationship building, and the establishment of venues for continued collaboration, and information and knowledge sharing to support recovery actions beyond the 4 years for which funding is eligible.

Eastern Slopes of the Rockies (AB)

DFO is seeking to fund measures or activities such as the following:

• Identification of local threats to species and habitats (i.e. surveys, inventories, monitoring)
• Activities that assist with recovery of populations within their historical range (i.e. re-establish populations, increase current population levels, distribution and connectivity)
• Management and reduction of the footprint of anthropogenic activities (i.e. manage effects of resource extraction, land & water use)
• Restoration or mitigation of threats to habitat (i.e. improve riparian habitat, remove anthropogenic barriers, install bridges/other structures to keep anthropogenic activities out of the water, install fencing/off-site watering stations to keep animals out of the water, etc.)
• Protection, recovery and re-establishment of native trout species at risk from non-native trout (i.e. targeted removal or suppression of non-native trout, installation of barriers to prevent non-native trout access)
• Targeted outreach to improve awareness and increase opportunity for stewardship/partnership activities (e.g. presentations to environmental non-government organizations, recreational fishers, Indigenous groups, etc.)
• Support for partnerships, relationship building, and the establishment of venues for continued collaboration, and information and knowledge sharing to support recovery actions beyond the 4 years for which funding is eligible.

Southern Prairies (AB, SK, MB)

DFO is seeking to fund measures or activities such as the following:

• Identification of local threats to species habitats (i.e. surveys, inventories, monitoring).
• Restoration or creation of suitable habitat in key areas (i.e. removal of non-functioning anthropogenic barriers, reinforcement of riparian areas/water banks to reduce sedimentation into the water, ensure access to critical habitat areas, etc.).
• Remediation or mitigation of threats to habitat (i.e. improve fish passage through/around water control structures, build bridges/other structures to keep anthropogenic activities out of the water, install fencing/off-site watering stations to keep animals out of the water, etc.)
• Development and implementation of targeted plans to protect/mitigate species at risk from aquatic invasive species (e.g. Zebra Mussel)
• Targeted outreach to improve awareness and increase opportunity for stewardship/partnership activities (presentations to environmental non-government organizations, recreational fishers, Indigenous groups, etc.).
• Support for partnerships, relationship building, and the establishment of venues for continued collaboration, and information and knowledge sharing to support recovery actions beyond the 4 years for which funding is eligible.

Lower Great Lakes Watershed (ON)

DFO is seeking to fund measures or activities such as the following:

• Activities to reduce non-point source pollution (i.e., nutrient and sediment loading, contaminants/toxic substances) and improve habitat quality and quantity for aquatic SAR.
• Development of best management practices that address threats such as sediment, nutrient and contaminant loading, increased stream temperatures, flow alteration etc.
• Implementation of BMPs and other on-the-ground stewardship activities (e.g., riparian planting and restoration, wetland restoration and creation, barrier removal, creation of sediment traps, fencing of livestock out of riparian area).
• Research to identify threats and threat thresholds for aquatic SAR and their habitats (siltation, anoxia, thermal stress etc.) to inform ecosystem-based recovery actions.
• The establishment of aquatic SAR monitoring programs to track any improvements in their habitat and populations as a result of BMP implementation and other on-the-ground stewardship activities.
• Targeted outreach to improve awareness and increase opportunity for stewardship/partnership activities (presentations to environmental non- government organizations, Indigenous groups, etc.).
• Support for partnerships, relationship building, and the establishment of venues for continued collaboration, and information and knowledge sharing to support recovery actions beyond the 4 years for which funding is eligible.

St Lawrence Lowlands (QC)

DFO is seeking to fund measures or activities such as the following:

• Development and implementation of measures to reduce nutrient, pesticide and sediment inputs in aquatic systems.
• Development and implementation of measures to improve agricultural practices and better management of municipal wastewater including awareness of key stakeholders.
• Research on the effects of contaminants on aquatic SAR to improve decision-making for contaminant management and to limit their impacts
• Restoration of the quality of degraded aquatic and riparian habitats, including water flow management, improved fish free passage, shoreline restoration, sediment control, etc.
• Development of indicators and monitoring plans for monitoring populations of species at risk and their habitat.
• Conservation and protection of aquatic and riparian habitats in particular to ensure the sustainability of restored habitats including measures to increase the area of preserved or protected riparian strips.
• Management and reduction of the footprint of anthropogenic activities (i.e., manage the effects of resource extraction and land and water use).
• Development and implementation of targeted plans for better control of invasive species affecting aquatic SAR including awareness and research required to develop these plans.
• Support for partnerships, relationship building, and the establishment of venues for continued collaboration, and information and knowledge sharing to support recovery actions beyond the 4 years for which funding is eligible.

Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence Rivers (NB, NS, PEI)

DFO is seeking to fund measures or activities such as the following:

• Improve and restore freshwater and estuarine habitat, improve fish passage and spawning habitat, and engage resource users for long-term improvement of aquatic ecosystems.
• Restoring habitat affected by fragmentation and degradation, through means such as the removal/alteration of barriers to fish passage (culverts, barrier removal, flow alteration), mitigating bank erosion, planting native plants, stream bank stabilization and creation of cold water habitat.
• Land use issues can be addressed through education and engagement with local groups and organizations to promote best management and land stewardship practices.
• Prevention, surveillance/early detection, response and control management measures to protect waterbodies from the introduction and spread of invasive species (does not include eradication).
• Monitoring of the habitat enhancement and conservation of species at risk will be over 2-5 year periods by measuring the effectiveness of habitat restored/improved, monitoring the connectivity restored and the usage of habitat by the target species.
• Support for partnerships, relationship building, and the establishment of venues for continued collaboration, and information and knowledge sharing to support recovery actions beyond the 4 years for which funding is eligible.

Bay of Fundy & Southern Uplands Watersheds (NB, NS)

DFO is seeking to fund measures or activities such as the following:

• Improvement of fish passage in priority locations of importance to multiple species at risk; including assessing dams, aboiteaux and other barriers for their restoration potential and restoring fish passage to mitigate threats due to dams and barriers.
• Improvement of degraded freshwater, riparian, and estuarine habitat in key areas that are important to multiple species at risk and develop improved land use practices to prevent future habitat degradation.
• Activities to support the establishment of self-sustaining populations of Atlantic Whitefish, whose entire global range is found within this priority area; specifically range expansion, aquatic invasive species control, and re-establishing anadromy are activities that are needed to meet recovery objectives.
• Support for partnerships, relationship building, and the establishment of venues for continued collaboration, and information and knowledge sharing to support recovery actions beyond the 4 years for which funding is eligible.