The Northwest Territories Cumulative Impact Monitoring Program is providing $1.7 million in 2021/22 to support 28 monitoring and research projects. Funding recipients include Indigenous governments and organizations, universities, and territorial and federal government departments.

“The assessment of cumulative effects is needed to determine the overall health of our land and water,” said Shane Thompson, NWT’s Minister of Environment and Natural Resources. “The cumulative impacts monitoring and research projects funded this year cover a wide range of topics and will help decision-makers at all levels make informed decisions for the territory and for residents.”

Shane Thompson, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources for Northwest Territories.

This year, there are nine new projects starting, receiving approximately $600,000 in funding. Of the 28 projects receiving funding, three are focused on Indigenous knowledge, 24 are science focused and two combine Indigenous knowledge and science. All of these projects address key cumulative impact monitoring priorities for caribou, water, and fish. Results will provide valuable knowledge for resource managers, governments, and communities to inform decision-making.

Project overview:

  • $1.7 million in funding will be distributed to 28 monitoring and research projects.
  • 9 new projects are starting in 2021/22, 10 are mid-term, 9 are in the final year and 2 have been withdrawn due to COVID-19.
  • Recommendations on project funding were made by a steering committee comprised of representatives from Indigenous governments and organizations, co-management boards and territorial and federal governments.

For more information about the Northwest Territories Cumulative Impact Monitoring Program, click here.

For more information about funded projects, click here.

Project example:

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Boots on the Ground – Traditional Knowledge Monitoring of Caribou

Caribou are essential to the way of life of Indigenous northerners. With the recent decline in the Bathurst caribou herd, having the best possible traditional, local and scientific information is necessary to help us understand the cumulative impacts that may have led to this change.

Featured image from Government of NWT.

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