Atlantic Salmon Conservation foundation announces $300,000 first round of funding applications

Fredericton, N.B. - The Atlantic Salmon Conservation Foundation (ASCF) is “open for business,” Rémi Bujold, the foundation's chairman, has declared.

Established in February 2007, the foundation is now set for its first round of funding applications. A total of $300,000 will be awarded in 2008.

The Atlantic Salmon Conservation Foundation is a volunteer, non-profit, charitable organization that was established with the goal of helping to achieve healthy and sustainable wild Atlantic salmon stocks in Atlantic Canada and Québec. Funded with a start-up grant of $30 million through agreement with the Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, the foundation has created a trust fund to promote and strengthen partnerships among groups working to conserve wild Atlantic salmon.

Conservation projects and program administration will be financed from interest earned by the trust fund.

“The foundation wishes to fund high-quality initiatives focused on conservation of wild Atlantic salmon and salmon habitat, as presented by partnerships among groups working at the watershed level,” Bujold explained. “By working with volunteer conservation groups, First Nations, municipalities, industrial bodies and others, we hope to identify and support creative, relevant and suitable initiatives to preserve this important resource.”

Categories of eligible projects include: development of salmon and salmon habitat conservation plans for a watershed or sub-watershed (watershed planning); conservation, rebuilding and restoration of wild Atlantic salmon and salmon habitat; restoring access of wild Atlantic salmon to salmon habitat; and public education and awareness of the importance of conservation of wild Atlantic salmon and its habitat.

All proposals for funding will be submitted through the ASCF website www.salmonconservation.ca), which will provide a complete application environment. Applications from conservation groups, Aboriginal organizations, municipalities and industrial bodies in the Atlantic Provinces and Quebec will be accepted. All eligible applications will be reviewed by the Foundation’s provincial advisory committees to ensure that provincial priorities are addressed.

“The Foundation seeks to provide a fair, balanced and predictable allocation of funding to each province on an annual basis,” said Bujold. “It will be a reliable and long-term supporter of salmon conservation by community partners.”

The deadline for applications is April 30 at 5 p.m. EST. Successful applicants will be notified no later than mid-June to allow adequate lead-time for summer and fall activity.

For more information on the Atlantic Salmon Conservation Foundation, visit the website at www.salmonconservation.ca or contact the foundation at 506-455-9900 or chasesa@salmonconservation.ca.