NWT: Our Land for the Future

This Indigenous-led conservation initiative supports long-term, large-scale protection of lands and inland waters in the Northwest Territories.

Overview

Known as NWT: Our Land for the Future, this initiative supports long-term, large-scale protection of lands and inland waters in the Northwest Territories.

It will help protect new and existing conserved areas in the territory including some of the world’s most intact boreal and tundra ecosystems. Over time, it aims to conserve and steward up to 380,000 square kilometers of lands and inland waters in the Northwest Territories, with a goal of protecting more than 2% of Canada in new terrestrial areas over the longer term. This represents a significant contribution to Canada’s goal of conserving 30% of lands and waters by 2030.

Who is involved

NWT: Our Land for the Future is a Project Finance for Permanence initiative, to bring together partners from Indigenous, federal, and territorial governments, as well as charitable organizations, including:

• more than 20 Indigenous Governments and organizations in the Northwest Territories
• Environment and Climate Change Canada
• Government of the Northwest Territories
• private philanthropies, The Metcalf Foundation, The Waltons Trust, and other organizations represented by The Pew Charitable Trusts

Goals and activities

Indigenous-led stewardship is central to achieving the goals of this initiative which include:

• protecting lands and waters
• preserving biodiversity
• supporting thriving cultures
• building community capacity
• contributing to healthy and equitable economies

Indigenous communities across the Northwest Territories will support these goals through many conservation and cultural revitalization activities, including:

• identifying and establishing new Protected Areas
• investing in ongoing stewardship of lands, including through expanding Indigenous Guardians programs
• environmental monitoring and climate change research
• on-the-land, cultural and Indigenous language revitalization activities
• sustainable community economic developments for conservation-related purposes

Status

In July 2025, partners signed the grant agreement for NWT: Our Land for the Future securing $300 million from the Government of Canda and $75 million from private donors—along with the commitments needed to begin on-the-ground work.

In the coming months, NWT: Our Land for the Future will begin delivering on its full vision, advancing conservation, stewardship, and economic developments that will benefit current and future generations.

Latest news

• Canada signs $300 million grant to launch one of the world’s largest Indigenous-led land conservation projects
• Landmark Indigenous-led conservation agreement reached to protect nature and people in the Northwest Territories
• Canada reaches historic milestone on Indigenous-led land conservation in the Northwest Territories
• Major Milestone Reached in Indigenous-Led Initiative to Sustain Lands and Support Community Economic Development Across the NWT — Indigenous Leadership Initiative
• Protecting more nature in partnership with Indigenous Peoples