The Atlantic Salmon Conservation Foundation (ASCF) is a non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to improving and strengthening the conservation of wild Atlantic salmon and its habitat in Atlantic Canada and Quebec. It is a trust created by the Government of Canada in 2007 to promote enhanced community partnerships that will contribute to the conservation of wild Atlantic salmon, and salmon habitat In Atlantic Canada and Quebec.

ASCF will strive to be a strong and reliable resource to community-based conservation groups seeking to promote and strengthen partnerships among groups interested in contributing to wild salmon conservation. Partners would include, but not be limited to, community-based conservation groups, First Nations, federal, provincial and municipal governments as well as industrial bodies.

The nine ASCF Board members are volunteers who have agreed to contribute their skills, community leadership and professional expertise to wise investment of the ASCF trust fund in order to assist ASCF in meeting its goals. Board members in 2009 are: Honourable Rémi Bujold, P.C., C.M. (Chair); Joan Marie Aylward; Robert Bishop; Chief David Peter Paul; James Lawley; John LeBoutillier; Denis Losier; Paul Michael, Q.C.; and Katherine Mott.

ASCF sets its goals and priorities with the input and advice of volunteer advisory committees. There are two levels of advisory committee. A central advisory committee will help the Board of Directors develop overall priorities and strategy, as well as provide program delivery expertise. In addition, each province will have an expert advisory committee that will help identify provincial conservation priorities and be responsible for reviewing applications for program funding.

ASCF will provide funding to high quality conservation initiatives consistent with its mandate and identified in watershed management plans prepared by community-based organizations. Funding may be on a one-off project basis, or extend over a period of several years, dependent on the nature of the project. The Foundation will support eligible costs for those projects identified as eligible and contributing to healthy and sustainable wild Atlantic salmon stocks in the Atlantic Provinces and Quebec. Categories of eligible projects, related to watershed planning and management include:

 

The Foundation will consider eligible projects related to watershed planning, including feasibility, engineering and design, implementation, monitoring, or some combination thereof, from the following categories:

• Development of salmon and salmon habitat conservation plans for a watershed or sub-watershed (watershed planning)
• Conservation, rebuilding and restoration of wild Atlantic salmon habitat
• Conservation and restoring of wild Atlantic salmon stocks and populations
• Restoring access of wild Atlantic salmon to salmon habitat
• Public education and awareness of the importance of conservation of wild Atlantic salmon and its habitat

Requests proposals for projects should address the priorities specific to individual provinces, as indicated in the explanatory materials with the application form.

 

All proposals must incorporate a plan of the project outlining the proposed project activities and the benefits of the proposal to the larger watershed, and the relative priority of the proposed project in addressing salmon conservation issues in the watershed.

Yes. Priority for funding will be given to proposals from watersheds with depressed to relatively stable salmon populations, since they are most likely to show improvement or benefit. Lower priority should be given to watersheds with highly depressed salmon populations. Lowest priority should be given to watershed with salmon populations that are at or near extirpation.

Priority consideration will also be given to proposals demonstrating partnership among the eligible groups.

The ASCF program operates on interest revenue generated by the $30 million dollar ASCF trust fund. The Board seeks to provide a fair, balanced and predictable allocation of funding to each province, on an annual basis. The actual level of funding available to a province may, however, vary from year to year according to a variety of factors including interest revenue and changes in conservation priorities.

The ASCF will provide a significant contribution toward to overall cost of approved projects. Awards for individual projects should not be less than $5,000 nor exceed a maximum of $50,000. Please see application form (click here)

The initial call for funding applications will begin 1 November 2009. All proposals for funding must be submitted through the ASCF website. Click here to apply.

Project proposals will be initially reviewed by staff to ensure all required information is provided and that the proposal meets the overall goals and objectives of the ASCF. Once the application is deemed eligible and information complete, it will then be reviewed to ensure provincial priorities are addressed and ranked by the provincial advisory committee. Rankings, funding recommendations and written assessments are then forwarded to the Board for final approval.

Requests proposals for projects should address the priorities specific to individual provinces, as indicated in the application form. (click here to view application form)

 

All proposals must incorporate a plan of the project outlining the proposed project activities and the benefits of the proposal to the larger watershed, and the relative priority of the proposed project in addressing salmon conservation issues in the watershed.

The ASCF trust is professionally managed by recognized national investment management firms. These firms were selected following a rigorous interview and assessment process. The Board will maintain an on-going review of performance to ensure that interest income from the trust is optimized, while being carried-out in accordance with prudent investment principles.

The ASCF Board is interested in partnering with any individual or organization that supports conservation of wild Atlantic salmon and salmon habitat. From time to time the Board will seek to involve interested persons in its advisory structure or other processes that support its mission and goals.

The ASCF offices are located in Fredericton, NB. Please see our web page to contact us for further details. Visitors are welcome to visit by appointment.