By Steven Nitah and Robin Barr
Over the past two decades, Indigenous-led conservation has steadily grown as a powerful force in protecting ecosystems, fostering community resilience, and upholding cultural values. Today, this movement is entering an exciting new chapter through the First 30×30 Program.
Led by Steven Nitah, a former Chief of the Łutsël K’é Dene First Nation and current Canada Lead at Nature For Justice, the First 30×30 Program is a collaboration with the IISAAK OLAM Foundation and Nature Focus Development. The program supports Indigenous governments in developing and stewarding conservation initiatives that center Nature-based Solutions (NbS)—such as forest protection and restoration—that strengthen both biodiversity and community well-being.
At the heart of the First 30×30 Program is a commitment to co-creation. We work in full partnership with Indigenous Nations to design projects that reflect community priorities and advance Indigenous rights. A key goal is to unlock long-term carbon and biodiversity finance to help establish and sustain Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs).
Many Nations have already approached the First 30×30 team, exploring how IPCAs and sustained external funding—spanning 30 years or more—could enhance their sovereignty and reduce reliance on Canadian Crown Government resources. While some communities are early in their IPCA journey, others are already well underway.
Our role is adaptive and grounded in community leadership, centered around three key pillars:
- Collaborative Project Design — We co-develop initiatives in full partnership with Indigenous leadership.
- High-Integrity Standards — Every project is designed to meet rigorous carbon and biodiversity finance benchmarks.
- Equitable Benefit Sharing — We structure Benefit Sharing Agreements to ensure fair and transparent distribution of revenues and resources.
To date, we’ve applied this model through working agreements with 5 Indigenous Nations, and we are actively engaging in discussions with 12 more. Our team brings specialized expertise in each of these areas. Together with our partners, we’re helping to build Indigenous capacity in monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV), ensuring long-term transparency and accountability.
This work is made possible through early-stage investments in relationship-building and project development. We’re grateful for the generous support of partners including the Royal Bank of Canada, Domtar, TELUS, Boreal Songbird Initiative, and others—whose contributions are helping lay the groundwork for enduring, impactful conservation.
A Legacy of Leadership: How First 30×30 Builds on the History of Indigenous-led Conservation
The First 30×30 Program stands on the shoulders of a powerful movement—one that has been evolving for generations and accelerating in recent years.
In 2015, Canada adopted the 2020 Biodiversity Goals and Targets, a national framework to protect nature across the country. Target 1 focused on increasing protection for land and marine areas through networks of protected and conserved places. Crucially, Indigenous leadership helped shape the path forward.
To guide this work, the federal government established an Indigenous Circle of Experts (ICE), including Steven Nitah and Eli Enns(co-founder of the IISAAK OLAM Foundation). The Circle released the landmark “We Rise Together” report—a visionary document that championed Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs) as essential to achieving Canada’s conservation goals. The report was informed by 4 regional and 2 national gatherings that brought together Indigenous conservation practitioners – including land managers, elders and youth. The IPCA movement is a young tree with ancient roots, modern-day IPCA’s were inspired by the work of many First Nations from the 1980’s through to the present, such as the creation of the Thaidene Nëné IPCA in the Northwest Territories, and the Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks and Gwaii Haanas in British Columbia.
Following this report, the Conservation Through Reconciliation Partnership (CRP) was born, uniting Indigenous leaders, researchers, NGOs, and governments in a shared effort to advance Indigenous-led conservation.
As the CRP evolved, it gave rise to the Restore, Assert, Defend (RAD) Network—a growing alliance of Indigenous Guardians, Knowledge Carriers, leaders, and allies. Together, they are building a vibrant and resilient network that provides tools, support, and connection to Nations advancing IPCAs and other Indigenous-led conservation efforts and stewardship efforts.
First 30×30 joins this powerful movement, connecting the growing community and knowledge base to supply the technical and financial resources needed to realize the goals of Indigenous-led Conservation in Canada.
“Around the world, Indigenous Peoples hold the key to achieving the global ‘30 by 30’ vision. In Canada, we’re proud to stand alongside Indigenous leaders who are showing what true stewardship looks like—protecting the land, preserving culture, and shaping a more sustainable future for all.”
Steven Nitah
Managing Director
Nature for Justice Canada
