Aboriginal Inland Habitat Program

As of April 1, 2012, Fisheries and Oceans Canada will conclude the Aboriginal Inland Habitat Program.  Although the Program will conclude, work with Aboriginal groups on fish habitat management will continue to be an integral aspect of regular Department business. The Department’s Habitat Management Program will continue to provide Aboriginal groups with information and advice needed to meaningfully engage in the decision-making processes related to the management of fish habitat.

The primary focus of the Aboriginal Inland Habitat Program was to build capacity and to support co-management of fish habitat with Aboriginal Organizations.

The Aboriginal Inland Habitat Program provided funding to Aboriginal groups in the inland provinces - Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec - to enhance participation in the collaborative long-term management of fish habitat.

Developing long-term capacity in fish habitat management

The Aboriginal Inland Habitat Program provided funding to support Aboriginal groups in their efforts to develop long-term capacity to manage fish habitat by:

• encouraging communication and collaboration among communities that share a common watershed;
• supporting Aboriginal communities' understanding and priorities for fish habitat management;
• supporting the training and professional development of new or existing staff; and
• partnering with other government departments and industry to share resources and build capacity.

For more information, please contact:

Dale Nicholson
Regional Director, Ecosystems Management
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Burlington, Ontario L7R 4A6
Ph: 905-336-4637
Fax: 905-336-6285
dale.nicholson@dfo-mpo.gc.ca