New environmental monitoring and research projects funded in the NWT

Press Release

Seven new environmental monitoring and research projects are receiving funding through the Northwest Territories Cumulative Impact Monitoring Program (NWT CIMP).

Every year NWT CIMP funds environmental monitoring and research projects which aim to provide valuable scientific and traditional knowledge for resource managers, governments and communities to use when making decisions.

This year, seven new projects are receiving multi-year funding. Over the next three years these projects will be delivered in partnership with Indigenous governments and organizations, Canadian universities and territorial and federal government departments. Total funding for the seven projects is $407,000.

The projects range from linking traditional knowledge to the management of the Bathurst caribou herd, to better understanding changes in aquatic environments and fish habitat.

Quote

“Our government is committed to responsible management and stewardship of the NWT land and environment based on good scientific evidence. These monitoring and research projects target key knowledge gaps for caribou, water and fish. This knowledge is essential for making sure our natural environment remains healthy for current and future generations.”

– Robert C. McLeod, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources

Quick Facts

NWT CIMP is an environmental monitoring program focused on understanding environmental trends and the cumulative environmental impacts of human and natural changes in the NWT.
The goal of the program is to provide information to NWT resource managers, governments and communities for decision-making.
NWT CIMP is currently focused on caribou, water and fish, three valued components decision-makers agree are of critical importance to NWT residents.
Each year, NWT CIMP funds approximately 30 scientific and Traditional Knowledge projects (totalling approximately $1.7M), which generate new information about caribou, water and fish while providing community training and capacity building opportunities.
A Steering Committee of Indigenous governments and organizations and territorial and federal governments guides the program and makes recommendations on project funding.
A list of projects funded from 1999-2020 can be found online.

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