ECCC Renews Support for FLA’s Work in BC’s Grasslands
Farmland Advantage (FLA) is pleased to announce that the Government of Canada, through Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), will continue to provide funding for Farmland Advantage until March 2025.
“Protecting nature has never been more important than it is right now as Canada commits to protecting 30% of lands and waters by 2030. Partnerships with the agricultural community are essential to the conservation and protection of habitat for species at risk. The Government of Canada is pleased to support Farmland Advantage through the Priority Places program. Through collaboration, we can protect nature and fight biodiversity loss in British Columbia and across Canada.”
ECCC has committed $445,000 in funding, under the Species at Risk Partnerships on Agricultural Lands (SARPAL) and Priority Places Programs. Support from ECCC is focused on habitat enhancement and conservation on farmland for the benefits of species at risk.
“We are pleased ECCC has decided to continue their support for IAF’s Farmland Advantage. FLA is doing important work on BC grasslands, and we are pleased to be able to work collaboratively with the federal government to continue enhancement work on these critical habitats.”
ECCC began their support of Farmland Advantage in 2020, when they funded FLA to complete a pilot project focusing on grasslands in BC. Through this work Farmland Advantage has protected over 160 acres of grasslands to date.
Work being completed on grasslands is focused on habitat enhancement and conservation on farmland for the benefit of species at risk. FLA provides farmers with a modest incentive payment in exchange for improving or maintaining ecological services on their farm. Farms with critical habitat within the Dry Interior Priority Place are invited to participate, and then FLA monitors and measures the ecological value of the habitat enhancement over time.
