Ambitious action is needed to protect biodiversity around the world.
In April, the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) announced our largest-ever project to protect private land. Covering nearly 1,500 square kilometres of boreal forest and wetlands in northern Ontario, the Boreal Wildlands marks a monumental shift in how we need to think of conservation in Canada.
Canada has resolved to protect 30 per cent of its lands and waters by 2030, as part of a global goal to protect biodiversity and counter the effects of climate change. Thirty per cent is the minimum, experts say, of what’s needed if we’re to save species on the brink of extinction and leverage nature to store carbon and help buffer us from the most severe impacts of climate change.
The twin crises of rapid biodiversity loss and climate change demand that we do more to protect nature, faster. Because, right now, we’re less than halfway to that 30 per cent goal, and the clock is ticking.
If done right, conservation can have a global impact. For example, the boreal forest that stretches from Newfoundland to the Yukon is the largest intact forest ecosystem on Earth. These trees and wetlands help our planet breathe. That’s why NCC chose to act and protect the Boreal Wildlands, near Hearst, Ontario.
There are so many aspects to effective conservation — from restoration to sustainable use across the landscape, to working in partnership with Indigenous Peoples and local communities. NCC uses an evidence-based approach to conserve nature, protecting lands across Canada that support many species.
As Canada’s leading national non-profit private conservation organization, NCC is committed to playing a central role in the country’s conservation future — for the sake of our communities, our country and our planet. By mobilizing Canadians to join our conservation mission, we will accelerate the pace of conservation of our country’s most important habitats.
And that’s the key: acceleration. Conservation isn’t just for governments, Indigenous communities, non-profits and scientists — it’s something we all need to contribute to. And it’s something we need to do right now. In the past two years alone, NCC has influenced the protection of more than 1 million hectares (almost twice the size of Prince Edward Island), coast to coast to coast. Over the next few years, we will double our impact.
This Canadian Environment Week, accelerating conservation will mean different things to different people. Some will plant native species in their yards and planters to support local biodiversity; many will likely tell their friends about their efforts. Others may donate to protect grasslands, forests, a peat bog or an estuary, and they may inspire others by sharing their generosity on social media. As for myself, I will work with my conservation colleagues across the country to pinpoint effective ways we can protect, restore and conserve hot spots for biodiversity in Canada. Together, we will accelerate the pace of conservation, celebrating our joint values of collaboration and measurable impact.
In the face of rapid biodiversity loss and climate change, nature is our ally. There is no solution to either without nature conservation. When nature thrives, we all thrive.
Dawn Carr is the director of strategic conservation with the Nature Conservancy of Canada