How actions by Trump administration are affecting our work

Feb. 26, 2025

Lots is happening in the U.S. these days: How is it impacting global conservation?   

ICFC’s work is being affected in three ways.   

First, a few of our projects have lost co-funding that comes directly from the US government because of the suspension of US foreign aid.  Some of our conservation colleagues (peer international conservation NGOs) are being more affected than ICFC, and all of us have limited ability to make up the difference. 

Second, the depreciated Canadian dollar (due in part to the tariff threats) means that we can do less because our revenue is mostly in Canadian dollars and our expenses are in US dollars. 

Third, local communities that benefited from USAID programs will experience more economic hardship, which is not conducive to protecting nature and the environment. 

This means our work is more important than ever.  As with the pandemic, local organizations and communities are profoundly grateful that our programs and the related livelihood benefits continue through good times and bad.  The same is true with NGOs doing humanitarian work.

More broadly there are short-term and longer-term impacts on global biodiversity conservation: (i) Reduced engagement with CITES means decreased enforcement of anti-wildlife trafficking agreements and efforts to combat illegal trade. (ii) Programs targeting climate adaptation for biodiversity lost funding when the U.S. pulled out of initiatives like the Green Climate Fund. (iii) Withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement affects biodiversity and conservation funding tied to climate resilience. 

Subsequent administrations will likely restore some funding, but a longer-term impact is that the world will have less trust in U.S. international commitments. 

To end on a brighter note, a new bipartisan agency, the US Foundation for International Conservation, was created in December, providing a new avenue for US government support for biodiversity internationally.