Nine corridor projects will receive funding to improve
connectivity and conserve biodiversity in priority areas across
Canada
GATINEAU, QC, Nov. 22,
2024 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is committed to protecting biodiversity
and conserving 30 per cent of land and inland waters and 30 per
cent of marine and coastal areas by 2030. But to be most effective,
these protected areas must be properly connected to ensure species
can move freely, interact, and find food and suitable habitat.
Today, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment
and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada,
announced nearly $6 million in
funding to support nine corridor projects to enhance ecological
connectivity in priority areas across Canada.
Funded by Parks Canada's National Program for Ecological
Corridors, these projects align with the program's objective to
catalyse corridor initiatives by partners to maintain and restore
ecological connectivity between protected and conserved areas as
well as areas of natural habitat.
These projects are being led and partially funded by
environmental non-profit, non-governmental organizations who will
provide more than $6.6 million of
in-kind and monetary contributions, in addition to the $5.7 million being contributed by the National
Program for Ecological Corridors to advance on-the-ground
connectivity work in 8 of the 23 national priority areas for
ecological corridors. These areas were identified by Parks Canada
in collaboration with a diverse range of partners, experts,
stakeholders, and the public, using national-scale data and several
scientific assessment methodologies. The priority areas indicate
where ecological corridors would be most impactful toward achieving
a well-connected network of protected and conserved areas.
Parks and protected areas in Canada are part of "nature-based solutions"
that help nature and people adapt to climate change. These places
conserve biodiversity, protect ecosystem services, connect
landscapes, take up and store carbon, build knowledge and
understanding, and inspire local action to reduce habitat
fragmentation.
By investing in new and innovative programs like Parks Canada's
National Program for Ecological Corridors, the Government of
Canada, in collaboration with the
provinces, territories, and Indigenous governments across the
country, is fulfilling its commitment to halt and reverse
biodiversity loss by 2030 and achieve a full recovery of nature in
Canada by 2050.
Quote
"As an integral part of nature-based solutions to climate
change, ecological corridors strategically located in priority
areas across Canada will greatly
improve the connectivity between protected and conserved areas,
allowing species to move and interact freely on the landscape.
These corridors will help stop biodiversity loss and contribute to
achieving the recovery of nature by 2050. By investing in key
programs like Parks Canada's National Program for Ecological
Corridors, our government continues to strive toward our ambitious
target to protect 30 per cent of lands and waters in Canada by 2030."
The Honourable Steven Guilbeault
Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister
responsible for Parks Canada
Quick Facts
- Guided by western and Indigenous science and local
perspectives, Canada is committed
to conserving 30 per cent of lands, freshwater, and oceans by
2030.
- Ecological corridors deliver many benefits beyond biodiversity
conservation and climate change adaptation. They contribute to
sustainable livelihoods for local communities, they increase
opportunities for people to connect with nature, and they promote
human-wildlife coexistence.
- Launched in 2022, Parks Canada's National Program for
Ecological Corridors promotes the creation of ecological corridors
in key areas across Canada.
- National priority areas for ecological corridors in
Canada are connectivity
conservation 'hotspots' where ecological corridors can have the
biggest impact toward sustaining biodiversity and ecological
functions into the future.
- Parks Canada's National
Program for Ecological Corridors supports Indigenous leadership by
recognizing Indigenous stewardship values as a priority goal for
corridors. The program also supports Indigenous-led pilot projects
and other projects that are engaging and collaborating with local
Indigenous communities on the stewardship of these lands.
Related Documents
- News Release: Parks Canada and partners work to restore
ecological connectivity in the Frontenac Arch region through
ethical space and co-governance
- News Release: Parks Canada and partners work to restore
ecological connectivity in northern Ontario
- Backgrounder: List of the nine selected projects for funding
across Canada by province
Related Links
- Parks Canada
- Parks Canada National Program for Ecological Corridors
- Ecological connectivity at Parks Canada
SOURCE Parks Canada (HQ)
