Celebrating 25 Years of Action for Biodiversity

Protected and conserved areas provide food and habitat to native wildlife, maintain essential ecosystem services, and provide opportunities for Canadians to connect with the wilderness [ ] 75 Protecting habitats and connecting Canadians with nature Canada is home to approximately 30 per cent of global boreal forest, 20 per cent of freshwater resources, the world’s longest coastline and one of the world’s largest marine territories. All ten provinces, three territories and three oceans of Canada are home to protected and conserved areas, with land conservation efforts shared among all levels of governments, indigenous peoples, and the private sector. Canada’s Target 1 of its Biodiversity Goals and Targets states that by 2020, at least 17 per cent of terrestrial areas and inland water, and 10 per cent of marine and coastal areas will be con- served. In spring 2016, the initiatives Pathway to Canada Target 1 and a five-point plan were put in place to meet these commitments. Canada has made significant progress since the CBD entered into force by increasing the protection of lands and freshwater from 5.8 per cent in 1993 to 10.5 per cent in 2017. The five-point plan for the marine and coastal areas of Canada has led to conservation activity in more than 6.8 per cent of Canada’s coastal and marine areas. In 2017, the country dedicated respectively 10.5 per cent of its terrestrial and inland water and 7.7 per cent of its marine and coastal areas to conservation. Other investments by the govern- ment include the Habitat Stewardship Program (HSP) for Species at Risk, Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk, Interdepartmental Recovery Fund and Ecological Gifts Program (EGP). The Ministry of Fisheries and Oceans Canada has developed scien- tific guidance and criteria for iden- tifying area-based conservation meas- ures in alignment with international guidance under the CBD. Proposed amendments to the Oceans Act and the Canada Petroleum Resources Act will enable the establishment of Inter- im Protection Marine Protected Ar- eas. The development of partnerships with First Nations, Metis Nations and Inuit is integral to these initiatives. Canadians are learning about their natural heritage through various initiatives such as Connecting Ca- nadians to Nature, Learn-to-Camp, Bioblitz Canada 150 and Parks for all. Environment and Climate Change Canada has also launched an initia- tive, Connect Canadians to Nature, in 10 of its National Wildlife Areas. Pronghorn in southern Alberta Canada H aving hosted the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) since 1996, Canada was also the first industrialized country to sign and ratify the CBD. The country’s 2020 Biodiversity Goals and Targets, adopted in 2015, are a result of collaboration between national and subnational governments, as well as key stakeholders including indigenous peoples, non-governmental organizations, the private sector and individuals. Canada’s accomplishments in terrestrial and marine habitat conservation and protection contribute to its commitments to reaching Aichi Target 11. Protected and conserved areas provide food and habitat to native wildlife, maintain essential ecosystem services, and provide opportunities for Canadians to connect with the wilderness. Greg Shchepanek