2024-2025 Application Form: Habitat Stewardship Program for Aquatic Species at Risk

Form for applicants to submit a proposal to the Habitat Stewardship Program (HSP) for Aquatic^{Footnote 1} Species at Risk 2024-25 Funding Cycle

Important:

The following form is your application to the HSP for Aquatic Species at Risk. Please refer to the HSP Application Instructions and the Program Guide as you complete this application. If you have questions, please contact the appropriate HSP Regional Coordinator.

Timelines and how to apply

Prior to submitting a complete application to the HSP, applicants are strongly encouraged to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) via email to the appropriate HSP Regional Coordinator. Although the EOI is not mandatory it will give you the opportunity to discuss and receive feedback on your project and to verify that it is aligned with national and regional priorities and program expected results. EOIs are due November 10, 2023 (closing at 11:59 pm for your region).

Applications must be submitted via email to the HSP Regional Coordinator by December 15, 2023 (closing at 11:59 pm for your region).

Please note:

Extensions to the application deadline will not be granted. Applicants are reminded that they should receive a notification of a successful submission within five working days of the submission of their application. Contact your HSP Regional Coordinator if you have submitted an application but have not received this notification.

Unless otherwise indicated, all fields are mandatory. Failure to complete all mandatory fields may result in your application NOT being considered for funding.

A - Full legal name of applicant:

B - Project title (max 15 words):

C - Province(s)/territory(ies) in which the project will be undertaken:

1.1 Project management team and contact information

a) Organization description (max 10 lines):

b) Duly authorized representative:

Name:

Title:

Phone number:

Email:

c) Project manager:

Name:

Title:

Phone number:

Email:

d) Address:

Street:

City:

Province/territory:

Postal code:

Web site (if applicable):

1.2 Organization type and business number

		Federal Business number and/or GST/HST number and/or band number	% GST/HST reimbursable by Canada Revenue Agency	% PST reimbursable by the province
NGO
Indigenous Group
Provincial/Territorial/Municipal/local government
Others (specify):

1.3 Program/project delivery experience

a) Experience in Delivering Stewardship Programs or Projects (max 25 lines):

b) Team Members (max 25 lines):

Name	Title	Experience	Previous HSP project experience?

1.4 Application to other DFO funding programs

a) Has your organization applied to the Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk, Aquatic Ecosystems Restoration Fund, Canada Nature Fund for Aquatic Species at Risk or any other DFO contribution program for your proposed project?

Yes No

b) If applicable, please provide a list of other DFO contribution programs you are applying to:

2.1.1 Project overview (max 1 page):

Type of project:

Overall project purpose:

Location of project:

Species:

Threats:

2.1.2 Project description (max 3 pages):

Activities:

Project timing:

2.1.3 Outcomes description (max 1 page):

Anticipated project benefits/outcomes:

Program expected results:

Performance evaluation:

2.2 Project links to HSP and/or Species at Risk Program Objectives (max 35 lines) :

2.3 Contributions to other projects (max 35 lines):

2.4 Collaboration among multiple stakeholders or partners

Does this project involve collaboration among multiple stakeholders or partners (including Indigenous groups)?

Yes No

If you answered yes, please complete the table below:

Stakeholder/partner	Description of role in project	Confirmed or anticipated

3.1 Project location

Habitat description (ecosystem type)	Latitude (decimal degree format) (e.g. 43.09057)	Longitude (decimal degree format) (e.g. -80.16062)	Specific Location (nearest town or city)

3.2 Importance of site

Does your project address Critical Habitat of SARA-Listed Species (i.e. identified through a recovery strategy for an endangered or threatened species under SARA)?

Yes No

If you answered yes, briefly describe how your project will help improve/maintain the quality of the critical habitat of listed targeted species (max 35 lines):

If you answered no, briefly describe the importance of the site for the target species (max 35 lines):

3.3 Target^{Footnote 2} and benefitting species

a) Target species:

Species name (common and scientific)	Population/DU (if relevant)	COSEWIC status	SARA Schedule 1 Status	Federal Recovery Strategy in place (Y/N)

b) Benefiting Species (max 20):

If applicable, please complete the table below:

Species name (common and scientific)	Population/DU (if relevant)	COSEWIC Status	SARA Schedule 1 Status	Federal Recovery Strategy in place (Y/N)

3.4 Recovery activity experts

Please list all recognized Recovery Experts or the responsible federal, provincial or territorial agency(ies) that were involved in the development of the project, or list the pertinent recovery activities that were considered:

4.1 Links to Recovery Strategies/Action Plans/Management Plans

Does your project focus on the implementation of priority activities described in federal SAR Recovery Documents found in the SARA Public Registry (including Recovery Strategies, Action Plans, and Management Plans)?

Yes No

If you answered yes, briefly describe how your project relates to the Implementation of priority activities described in federal recovery strategies, action plans, or management plans (max 20 lines):

4.2 Multi-species projects

If your project targets multiple-species, briefly outline how the project activities will benefit each of the target species towards their conservation or recovery (max 20 lines):

4.3 Addressing threats to species and/or habitats

Do project activities address the impacts of, or respond to, threats to the target species and/or its or their habitat as described in federal SAR recovery documents or COSEWIC Assessment (CA) documents?

Yes No

If you answered yes, please identify the threat(s) to the target species and/or their habitats that will be addressed by the project and include actual content from the federal SAR recovery documents or CA documents (max 20 lines):

Does your proposed project address one or more Regional Priorities for aquatic projects?

Yes No

If you answered yes, please complete the table below:

Regional priority	Project activity

6.1 Project work plan

6.1.1 Annual work plan for 2024-25
Annual work plan for 2024-25
Activity 1: [Title of Activity] Estimated cost HSP: $[numerical amount] Start and end dates: [month-year] General description of the activity: Tasks: Deliverables:
Activity 2: [Title of Activity] Estimated cost HSP: $[numerical amount] Start and end dates: [month-year] General description of the activity: Tasks: Deliverables:
[Add rows as needed]

6.1.2 [Two-year projects] Annual work plan for 2025-26
Annual work plan for 2025-26
Activity 1: [Title of Activity] Estimated cost HSP: $[numerical amount] Start and end dates: [month-year] General description of the activity: Tasks: Deliverables:
Activity 2: [Title of Activity] Estimated cost HSP: $[numerical amount] Start and end dates: [month-year] General description of the activity: Tasks: Deliverables:
[Add rows as needed]

6.1.3 [Three-year projects] Annual work plan for 2026-27
Annual work plan for 2026-27
Activity 1: [Title of Activity] Estimated cost HSP: $[numerical amount] Start and end dates: [month-year] General description of the activity: Tasks: Deliverables:
Activity 2: [Title of Activity] Estimated cost HSP: $[numerical amount] Start and end dates: [month-year] General description of the activity: Tasks: Deliverables:
[Add rows as needed]

6.2 Surveys, inventories and monitoring

If applicable, explain how the survey, inventory or monitoring results would be used to improve the conservation of the species and/or its habitat over the next two years (max 25 lines):

6.3 Project evaluation

Please describe the specific methods (qualitative or quantitative) you would use to evaluate the outcome of your project's activities, such as the improvement your project has made to recovery of your target species at risk (e.g., immediate (6–24 months) and long term outcomes (2–5 years)) (max 25 lines):

6.4 Project legacy

Will the results of the project be sustained over time by your organization or organizations directly involved in implementing project activities? If so, please describe how (max 35 lines):

6.5 Permitting

Does your proposed project require any permit(s) or authorization(s)?

Yes No

If you answered yes, please complete the table below.

Project activity #	Permit or authorization type	Expected date of issue	Issuing authority

7.1 HSP projected expenditures for 2024-25

Expense category	Expense description	$ Requested to HSP



	Total

7.2 [Two-year projects] HSP projected expenditures for 2025-26

Expense category	Expense description	$ Requested to HSP



	Total

7.3 [Three-year projects] HSP projected expenditures for 2026-27

Expense category	Expense description	$ Requested to HSP



	Total

8.1 Sources of support for 2024-25

Organization name, description of activities to be funded and Valuation of Support	$ Value of Federal cash and in-kind support	$ Value of other governmental cash and in-kind support	$ Value other cash and in-kind support	Total $ support	Confirmed Y/N
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (HSP)



Total

8.2 [Two-year projects] Sources of support for 2025-26

Organization Name, description of activities to be funded and valuation of Support	$ Value of Federal cash and in-kind support	$ Value of other governmental cash and in-kind support	$ Value other cash and in-kind support	Total $ support	Confirmed Y/N
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (HSP)



Total

8.3 [Three-year projects] Sources of support for 2026-27

Organization Name, description of activities to be funded and valuation of Support	$ Value of Federal cash and in-kind support	$ Value of other governmental cash and in-kind support	$ Value other cash and in-kind support	Total $ support	Confirmed Y/N
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (HSP)



Total

9 Measuring program performance

Enter planned amounts in the first column.

Performance Measure	Planned	Actual
Area of aquatic habitat restored (sq. metres/km)	[xxxx]
Number of aquatic species at risk (species or populations) targeted by overall project activities	[xxxx]
Number of aquatic species at risk (species or populations) subject to mitigated impacts from threats	[xxxx]
Number of aquatic species at risk (species or populations) anticipated to have trends consistent with population and distribution objectives in recovery strategies and action plans	[xxxx]
Number of actions implemented from recovery documents for aquatic species at risk (species or populations), including from area or threat-based plans	[xxxx]
Number of reports (e.g. studies, surveys, inventories, and research reports) completed	[xxxx]
Number of non-indigenous partners engaged and involved in the project (the Recipient and DFO must not be counted as partners)	[xxxx]
Number of indigenous groups involved as partners	[xxxx]
Number of outreach events conducted (presentations, workshops etc.)	[xxxx]
Number of actions likely to continue to occur beyond the Habitat Stewardship Program	[xxxx]
Number of jobs created	[xxxx]

Arctic

Kristie Pearce
Telephone: 431-334-7210
Email: DFO.HspOpr-PihRop.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Gulf

Jackie Walker
Telephone: 506-377-8263
Email: DFO.HspGlf-PihGlf.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Maritimes

Lisa Paon
Telephone: 902-483-5495
Email: DFO.HspMar-PihMar.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Newfoundland and Labrador

Andy Porter
Telephone: 709-687-2951
Email: DFO.HspNfl-PihTnl.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Ontario and Prairie

Kristie Pearce
Telephone: 431-334-7210
Email: DFO.HspOpr-PihRop.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Pacific

Athen Yuen
Telephone: 778-955-8334
Email: DFO.HspPyr-PihRpy.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Quebec

Élyse Leduc
Telephone: 438-340-9834
Email: DFO.HspQc-PihQc.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Appendix 1: Regional priorities
Region	Species	Areas	Threats
Newfoundland and Labrador	Wolffish Species (Northern, Spotted, Atlantic) Leatherback and Loggerhead Sea Turtle Large Whale Species (Blue Whale, Fin Whale, North Atlantic Right Whale) Atlantic Salmon (South Newfoundland population) Banded Killifish	N/A	Fisheries Interactions (i.e. bycatch, entanglements) Vessel Interactions (i.e. ship strikes, acoustic disturbances) Pollution and Pathogens Habitat Alteration Migration Barriers
Maritimes	Atlantic Salmon (Inner Bay of Fundy population) Atlantic Whitefish Leatherback and Loggerhead Sea Turtle Whale Species (North Atlantic Right Whale, Blue Whale) Lake Utopia Rainbow Smelt	N/A	Habitat alteration and degradation, including climate change impacts Invasive and introduced species Fishery interactions (includes entanglement, bycatch and incidental catch) Vessels and vehicles interactions Acoustic disturbance
Gulf	Atlantic Salmon Brook Floater Wolffish species Leatherback Sea Turtle Whale species (North Atlantic Right Whale, Blue Whale, Fin Whale)	N/A	Interactions with Vessels and Vehicles Acoustic Disturbances Fishery Interactions: Bycatch and Entanglement Habitat Alteration and Degradation Invasive and Introduced Species
Quebec	St. Lawrence whales at risk (Beluga whale, Blue whale, North Atlantic right whale, Fin whale and Harbour porpoise) All freshwater fishes of interest to the Quebec Recovery Team “l'équipe de rétablissement des cyprins et petits percidés du Québec” (Sand Darter, Northern Sunfish, Cutlip Minnow, Channel Darter, Bridle Shiner, Grass Pickerel, Northern Brook Lamprey and Silver Lamprey) Copper Redhorse Sharks and Skates (Atlantic White Shark, Atlantic Blue Shark, Atlantic Spiny Dogfish, Channel Darter, Atlantic Basking Shark, Thorny Skate, and Smooth Skate, Laurentian-Scotian population) St. Lawrence diadromous species (Atlantic salmon and American eel)	Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence (including all its tributaries) St. Lawrence Lowlands (see map for the delimitation of the territory), in particular, but not limited to, the Richelieu River watershed	Anthropogenic disturbance associated with commercial shipping, whale watching and touring, or recreational boating (e.g., approach, noise, collision, wake, spill) Bycatch, entanglement in fishing gear, recreational and commercial fishing pressures on aquatic species at risk and the availability of their prey Habitat destruction and degradation (e.g., destruction of seagrass beds, bank artificialization, wave action, soil compaction or erosion, alteration of shorelines and riparian buffers, water contamination) Aquatic invasive species affecting aquatic species at risk and their habitat
Ontario and Prairie (Ontario)	Redside Dace Pugnose Shiner Pugnose Minnow Black Redhorse SARA-listed Freshwater Mussels	Lake St. Clair and contributing watersheds Lake Erie and contributing watersheds Lake Ontario and contributing watersheds Lake Huron and contributing watersheds Lakes and contributing watersheds of Upper (western) St. Lawrence River	Sediment/nutrient, contaminant loading Habitat destruction/ alteration Altered flows, water levels, or coastal process Barriers to fish passage
Ontario and Prairie (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta)	Bigmouth Buffalo Lake Sturgeon Southern Prairie Species (Western Silvery Minnow, Rocky Mountain Sculpin, Plains Sucker) Alberta Native Trout (Athabasca Rainbow, Westslope Cutthroat, Bull) Mapleleaf	Peace/Slave River Basin North and South Saskatchewan River basin Southern Prairie Region (Milk River, St. Mary River, Qu'Appelle River) Winnipeg/Red/Assiniboine River Basin East Slopes Rocky Mountains	Habitat loss, destruction and degradation Fish species with potential for introgression with native species Disease and pathogens Restrictions/barriers to movement Loss of Indigenous Knowledge specifically related to aquatic species presence and utilization of important habitats (i.e., habitats used for feeding, spawning, nursery, overwintering, or as a migratory corridor)
Arctic (Northwest Territories and Nunavut)	Dolly Varden (Western Arctic) Beluga (Cumberland Sound) Bull Trout (Western Arctic) Arctic Marine Fish Arctic Marine Mammals	Foxe Basin/ Hudson Bay/Hudson Strait Mackenzie River tributaries/Peel River System Beaufort Sea/Amundsen Gulf Queen Maud Gulf to Lancaster Sound Baffin Bay/Davis Strait	Loss of Indigenous Knowledge specifically related to the utilization of important habitats (i.e., habitats used for feeding, spawning, nursery, overwintering, or as a migratory corridor) Anthropogenic disturbance associated with shipping, small crafts, industry and other activities Struck and loss of marine mammals Impacts of disease, introduced and non-introduced species Impacts of climate change, including habitat impacts
Pacific	Cetaceans assessed as at risk by COSEWIC White Sturgeon Northern Abalone Endemic freshwater species assessed as at risk by COSEWIC Sharks assessed as at risk by COSEWIC	All aquatic habitat (marine and freshwater) within DFO Pacific Region	Fisheries interactions (including incidental/bycatch, entanglements, illegal harvest, prey availability) Physical and acoustic disturbance (vessel based) Habitat degradation and fragmentation (aquatic and riparian) Water quality, including contaminants Aquatic invasive species

Date modified:: 2023-10-20

2024-2025 Application Form: Habitat Stewardship Program for Aquatic Species at Risk

Important:

On this page

Timelines and how to apply

Please note:

Propose a new project

1 Applicant information

1.1 Project management team and contact information

b) Duly authorized representative:

c) Project manager:

d) Address:

1.2 Organization type and business number

1.3 Program/project delivery experience

1.4 Application to other DFO funding programs

2 Overview and project description

2.1.1 Project overview (max 1 page):

2.1.2 Project description (max 3 pages):

2.1.3 Outcomes description (max 1 page):

2.4 Collaboration among multiple stakeholders or partners

3 Proposal background

3.1 Project location

3.2 Importance of site

3.3 TargetFootnote 2 and benefitting species

a) Target species:

b) Benefiting Species (max 20):

3.4 Recovery activity experts

4 National priorities

4.1 Links to Recovery Strategies/Action Plans/Management Plans

4.2 Multi-species projects

4.3 Addressing threats to species and/or habitats

5 Regional priorities

6 Work plan

6.1 Project work plan

6.2 Surveys, inventories and monitoring

6.3 Project evaluation

6.4 Project legacy

6.5 Permitting

7 Project budget and expenditures

7.1 HSP projected expenditures for 2024-25

7.2 [Two-year projects] HSP projected expenditures for 2025-26

7.3 [Three-year projects] HSP projected expenditures for 2026-27

8 Project support

8.1 Sources of support for 2024-25

8.2 [Two-year projects] Sources of support for 2025-26

8.3 [Three-year projects] Sources of support for 2026-27

9 Measuring program performance

Appendix 1: Regional coordinators

Arctic

Gulf

Maritimes

Newfoundland and Labrador

Ontario and Prairie

Pacific

Quebec

Appendix 2: Regional priorities

3.3 Target^{Footnote 2} and benefitting species