FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
APRIL 16, 2026
Southern Ontario, Canada — Today, Carolinian Canada and the Conservation Impact Bond (CIB) Leadership Team are announcing the launch of the first tranche of the Zone Impact Bond III (ZIB III), the third phase of Canada’s award-winning Conservation Impact Bond. The ZIB III aims to enhance 1000 hectares (2471 acres) for climate-resilient, healthy landscapes across the Carolinian Zone, one of the most biodiverse and threatened regions in the country.
Stretching from Toronto to Windsor, the Carolinian Zone is home to over 40% of Canada’s species at risk and supports millions of people, communities, and industries. Yet decades of habitat loss, fragmented ecosystems, and underfunded conservation systems have placed increasing pressure on the land. ZIB III responds to this urgency by accelerating nature-based solutions—restoring wetlands to reduce flooding, forests to store carbon, and ecological corridors to protect biodiversity.
“We are excited to launch the third offering of the CIB, an international award-winning model bringing a practical vision to meet the big challenges of climate, ecosystems and regenerative economies at a pivotal time in history" –Michelle Kanter, Executive Director, Carolinian Canada
The CIB is a conservative finance model that brings together Indigenous leaders, habitat stewards, investors, outcome funders, and researchers to deliver measurable results. Grounded in Ethical Space and a Two-Eyed Seeing approach, the model integrates Indigenous Knowledge and Western science to guide restoration efforts and evaluate outcomes. By aligning capital with verified ecological results, the CIB enables funding to flow when it is needed most to unlock immediate action on the ground.
ZIB III builds on proven success. Previous phases of the CIB have enhanced over 284 hectares of habitat, engaged thousands of people, created green jobs, and strengthened community connections to the land. The model has demonstrated that conservation finance can deliver not only environmental impact, but also social, cultural, and economic benefits across communities.
"This work is about restoring relationships to the land, to each other, and to ways of knowing that have always guided how we care for the land. By centering Indigenous leadership and creating ethical space, the Conservation Impact Bond is helping to move reconciliation into action in a meaningful and lasting way.” –Sam Whiteye, Indigenous Leadership Director, Carolinian Canada
With projects ready to begin this spring, Carolinian Canada is calling on foundations, governments, corporations, and community partners to step forward as “Accelerators.” Their commitments will trigger upfront investment, enabling Indigenous stewards and habitat partners to begin restoring landscapes immediately – delivering results that are faster, larger, and more coordinated than traditional funding approaches.
“Together, we can scale nature-based solutions, mobilize new investment, and restore the landscapes that sustain us,” said the CIB Leadership Team. “This is an opportunity to seed change and bring hope to the land—for communities today and future generations.”
“The Conservation Impact Bond demonstrates what’s possible when we align capital with a shared vision to achieve nature-based outcomes. By bringing together diverse partners across sectors, we’re not only restoring habitat, we’re building a more coordinated, effective system for investing in nature at the scale this moment demands.” –Aiden Mauti, Carolinian Canada Secretary and CIB Leadership Team
"Through the Conservation Impact Bond, we've been able to advance on-the-ground work at the St. Williams Conservation Reserve, including seed sourcing and tallgrass habitat improvement. This work is helping rebuild native plant communities and improve habitat for species at risk in a meaningful and lasting way. The model has also supported partnerships that contribute to hands-on stewardship." –St. Williams Conservation Reserve Community Council
For more information or to request an interview, please contact: media@carolinian.org.
About the Conservation Impact Bond (CIB):
The Conservation Impact Bond is an award-winning, pay-for-success financing model that accelerates the restoration of climate-resilient healthy landscapes. By blending public, private, and philanthropic capital, the CIB supports Indigenous leadership, strengthens local economies, and delivers measurable outcomes for biodiversity, climate resilience, and community well-being.
About Carolinian Canada:
Carolinian Canada is a network of leaders growing a green future with healthy landscapes in the spirit and practice of reconciliation. Together we save wildlife, water and way of life for thriving, resilient communities. CarolinianCanada.ca/cib