Natural Heritage Conservation Program — Ducks Unlimited Canada
Skip to main content

How our work impacts conservation across Canada.

Impact Areas

Approaches

Services

Read some of our Stories

Where we’re working on the ground from coast to coast.

Regions

Provinces

We need your help to protect our water, wildlife, and wetlands. Here’s how you can make an impact.

Ways to Give

Get Involved

More

Find more ways to help

Natural Heritage Conservation Program

Protecting critical habitat in some of Canada’s most beloved landscapes

Ducks Unlimited Canada

As Canadians, we have the privilege of enjoying a country rich in natural landscapes. This includes the wetland and grassland habitats DUC works to protect.

The biodiversity found in these areas are fundamental to our way of life and are worthy of focussed conservation efforts to ensure they remain for generations to come.

The Natural Heritage Conservation Program (NHCP) is a commitment to create healthier habitats for species at risk and to improve Canada’s natural environment. DUC is proud to be a trusted delivery partner that’s helping the Government of Canada deliver this program. Together, we’re finding new ways to protect our lands, waters and wildlife.

Burrowing owl
Burrowing owl © DUC / Darin Langhorst

Natural Heritage Conservation Program projects conserved by DUC

This project was undertaken with the financial support: Environment and Climate Change Canada

Featured work

Ducks Unlimited Canada Celebrates Habitat Secured on Howe Island

Ducks Unlimited Canada Celebrates Habitat Secured on Howe Island

This 133-acre (54-hectare) property is located where Lake Ontario meets the St. Lawrence River, a region that hosts up to 40,000 waterfowl at any one time during peak migration.

Learn more
St. Luke’s Marsh: a coastal gem, protected in perpetuity

St. Luke’s Marsh: a coastal gem, protected in perpetuity

Part of an extensive system of waterfowl habitats around the lower Great Lakes, St. Luke’s Marsh and other coastal wetlands are among the most significant migratory stopover areas on the continent

Learn more
Bobolink
Bobolink © DUC / Jeope Wolfe

Supporting biodiversity and species at risk

At least seven species at risk are benefiting from habitat protected by DUC through the Natural Heritage Conservation Program.

  • Least Bittern
  • Bobolink
  • Eastern Meadowlark
  • American Badger (Western)
  • Barn Swallow
  • Burrowing Owl
  • Red-headed Woodpecker
Natural Heritage Conservation Program

Natural Heritage Conservation Program

The Government of Canada’s Natural Heritage Conservation Program is a unique public-private partnership to support new protected and conserved areas by securing private lands and private interests in lands. The program is managed by the Nature Conservancy of Canada. Federal funds invested in the program are matched with contributions raised by NCC and its partners, Ducks Unlimited Canada, and the country’s land trust community.

Read the announcement