Innovative funding models to support Indigenous stewardship of native timber forests has gained significant traction in recent years. These finance and business models, which include diversified funding sources such as conservation trusts, grants, carbon credits, and payments for ecosystem services, have led to positive outcomes in many regions, especially Canada and Australia.
This blog explores these outcomes, the critical need for such funding, and highlights successful examples of Indigenous stewardship of Canadian and Australian native timber forests.
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Positive Outcomes of Innovative Funding
Innovative funding models have facilitated remarkable achievements in forest conservation and community development. Through Coast Funds, Indigenous communities in the Great Bear Rainforest and Haida Gwaii have invested over $118 million in conservation, stewardship, and sustainable economic development projects.
This has led to the creation of nearly 1,300 jobs, the support of 138 businesses, and the implementation of almost 400 research and habitat restoration initiatives.
Similarly, the Aboriginal Carbon Foundation in Australia has enabled carbon farming projects that not only conserve forests but also provide sustainable income streams for Indigenous communities.
These outcomes underscore the transformative potential of innovative funding models. They have helped preserve biodiversity, restore habitats, create meaningful employment opportunities, and strengthen the cultural and economic independence of Indigenous communities.
Why These Funding Models Are Needed
“Lines on a map don’t protect places – people do,” says Doug Neasloss, elected Chief Councillor of Kitasoo Xai’xais Nation, which collaborates with Coast Funds.
“Our community has a vision for stewardship where the wealth of forests, fish, and wildlife will be here forever – and our people will be here forever. To achieve that vision, we’re working with government and philanthropy to secure investments in conservation and stewardship, which creates meaningful employment opportunities for current and future generations.”
The need for these funding models arises from the pressing challenges facing native timber forests and the communities that depend on them.
Traditional logging practices and land management have often led to deforestation, habitat destruction, and the loss of biodiversity.
These impacts are particularly severe for Indigenous communities, who rely on forests for their livelihoods, cultural practices, and spiritual well-being.
The economic security of these communities has frequently been compromised by external pressures and a lack of sustainable economic opportunities.
Innovative funding models address these issues by providing the financial resources needed to implement effective conservation and stewardship programs. They also offer mechanisms for generating long-term revenue, which is crucial for sustaining these programs and ensuring the continued health of forest ecosystems.
“Many of the First Nations we serve in the Great Bear Rainforest and Haida Gwaii have ambitious plans for new Indigenous protected and conserved areas and for growing their Guardian programs,” says Eddy Adra, CEO of Coast Funds.
“To sustain their stewardship programs, First Nations need access to diversified funding sources, including conservation trusts, grants, and carbon credits. Newer tools could also play a role in filling funding gaps, which is why the report considers payments for ecosystem services and novel tools like salmon impact bonds.”
Finance for Forests
Finance for Forests lists numerous opportunities for First Nations to access and develop conservation financing.
Each option is evaluated based on revenue potential, flexibility, impact on a Nation’s self-determination, and support for various project stages.
Recognizing that First Nations often need to combine multiple conservation finance tools, the report features four sample conservation finance portfolios.
These portfolios illustrate how First Nations, or groups of Nations, might assemble financing to cover both short-term conservation and restoration costs and generate long-term revenue for ongoing stewardship.
Coast Funds, an Indigenous-led conservation finance organization serving First Nations in the Great Bear Rainforest and Haida Gwaii, released Finance for Forests, a guide to financing First Nations’ conservation, stewardship, and Guardian programs.
The report addresses a key question facing First Nations and other governments – how can communities conserve forest ecosystems without compromising economic security? – and presents options for financing stewardship and addressing related community priorities.
Examples of Successful Initiatives
These examples from Canada and Australia illustrate the diverse and successful approaches to funding First Nations and other stewardship initiatives focused on native timber forests.
Through innovative financing mechanisms, partnerships, and the integration of traditional knowledge, these projects are achieving significant environmental, economic, and cultural benefits.
The Coast Funds (Great Bear Rainforest)
In British Columbia, Coast Funds has been at the forefront of supporting Indigenous stewardship through substantial investments in conservation and economic development.
The organization’s initiatives have not only preserved vast tracts of forest but also fostered a conservation economy that benefits local communities. Since its inception in 2007, the Indigenous-led organization has invested over $118 million into a variety of projects within the Great Bear Rainforest and Haida Gwaii.
These investments have not only supported 138 businesses but also created nearly 1,300 jobs in coastal communities. This includes the creation of jobs, support for businesses, and the development of Guardian programs that monitor and protect the environment.
The initiatives have focused on research and habitat restoration, culminating in nearly 400 projects. The Guardian programs, pivotal to these efforts, help maintain ecological health and sustainability.
Tŝilhqot’in Nation’s Dasiqox Tribal Park
Another notable example from British Columbia is the Tŝilhqot’in Nation’s Dasiqox Tribal Park. This park has been developed through a combination of government grants and partnerships with environmental organizations.
The Dasiqox Tribal Park project emphasizes traditional stewardship, aiming to conserve biodiversity while promoting sustainable land use and protecting the cultural heritage of the Tŝilhqot’in people. This initiative has created economic opportunities that align with the community’s environmental and cultural values.
The Nature Conservancy’s Indigenous Guardians Program
The Nature Conservancy’s Indigenous Guardians Program operates across Canada, including regions such as Alberta, British Columbia, and the Northwest Territories.
Funded by multi-million dollar investments from federal and provincial governments, private donors, and international organizations, this program empowers Indigenous communities to monitor and manage their traditional lands, water, and resources.
The program enhances Indigenous leadership in environmental stewardship, crucial for biodiversity conservation.
The Kootenay Conservation Program
In the Kootenay region of British Columbia, the Kootenay Conservation Program has effectively mobilized a mixture of government funding, private donations, and grants from conservation organizations.
This program supports local communities and First Nations in conserving critical habitats and managing forests sustainably.
By fostering collaborative stewardship initiatives and community-based conservation projects, the program strengthens the capacity for sustainable forest management.
The First Nations Carbon Collaborative (FNCC)
Across Canada, the First Nations Carbon Collaborative (FNCC) has been instrumental in developing carbon offset projects. Funded through a combination of carbon offset revenues, federal grants, and partnerships with environmental NGOs, FNCC helps First Nations balance economic development with forest conservation.
By selling carbon credits, they generate revenue while promoting sustainable forest management practices.
Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs)
Various locations across Canada have benefited from the establishment of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs).
These areas are supported by federal and provincial funding, philanthropic contributions, and international support. IPCAs are designed to protect biodiversity, cultural heritage, and traditional knowledge.
They enhance Indigenous governance over traditional territories, support ecological health, and promote sustainable livelihoods.
Bush Heritage Australia’s Indigenous Partnership Program
Bush Heritage Australia’s Indigenous Partnership Program operates in various regions, including the Kimberley in Western Australia and the Northern Territory. This program is funded by donations, government grants, and partnerships with Indigenous organizations.
Working closely with Indigenous communities, the program focuses on protecting biodiversity, restoring native vegetation, and creating employment opportunities through conservation.
Bush Heritage Australia has grown from the first two forest blocks purchased by environmentalist Bob Brown to protect them from logging.
The Aboriginal Carbon Foundation
Another significant Australian example is the Aboriginal Carbon Foundation. Chaired by Professor Marcia Langton, who also holds the Chair of Australian Indigenous Studies at the University of Melbourne, this foundation facilitates carbon farming projects that offer both environmental and economic benefits to Indigenous communities.
Through the sale of carbon credits, these projects provide a sustainable income stream while promoting the conservation and regeneration of native forests. The foundation supports traditional ecological knowledge and practices, ensuring that land management is both culturally appropriate and environmentally effective.
The Yarra Yarra Biodiversity Corridor
The Yarra Yarra Biodiversity Corridor in Western Australia is an ambitious reforestation project involving Indigenous communities. Supported by government funding, private investment, and carbon offset revenues, the corridor aims to restore native vegetation across a vast area.
This project not only enhances biodiversity but also provides employment and training opportunities for local Indigenous people, fostering a deep connection to their land and culture.
Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC)
In Australia, the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC) plays a crucial role nationwide. Funded by the federal government, along with grants and partnerships with private and non-profit sectors, the ILSC supports Indigenous Australians in acquiring and managing land sustainably, including native forests.
Their initiatives promote economic independence, cultural preservation, and environmental stewardship through sustainable land management and conservation projects.
Indigenous stewardship of native forests
The success of these innovative funding models highlights their potential to support Indigenous stewardship of native timber forests. By providing the financial resources needed for effective conservation and stewardship, these models help preserve biodiversity, create sustainable economic opportunities, and empower Indigenous communities.
As the challenges facing our forests and communities continue to evolve, the importance of such funding models will only grow, paving the way for a more sustainable and equitable future.
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