Environmental Trends 2007

Ecosystems

Taking Action: What is Being Done About It? What Can You Do?

Government Initiatives

Provincial Land Use Planning is a vehicle for identifying and protecting ecosystems in different regions of the province.

Many local governments are applying “smart growth” principles to regulate development through regional growth strategies, official community plans and zoning bylaws.

Federal Species at Risk Act provides protection for species at risk including protecting critical habitat.

Partnerships and Other Initiatives

• Stewardship Canada (See their set of practical guides on land stewardship in B.C.).
• NatureScape BC
• BirdLife International
• Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society
• Grasslands Conservation Council of British Columbia
• Habitat Conservation Trust Fund
• Wildlife Habitat Canada
• World Wildlife Fund Canada

Land Trusts and Conservancies

These non-profit organizations often work in partnership with governments, businesses and other organisations to achieve shared conservation goals. The Land Trust Alliance of BC provides support to land trusts and conservancies. Larger trusts in B.C. include:

• The Nature Trust of British Columbia
• The Land Conservancy of British Columbia
• The Nature Conservancy of Canada
• Ducks Unlimited

The BC Trust for Public Lands is a partnership between government and conservation agencies to secure and manage ecologically sensitive lands and to plan for biodiversity.

Photo credit: Ministry of Transportation

What can you do?

• Practice good environmental stewardship on your land or property: The Stewardship Centre for British Columbia publishes a series of stewardship guides.

• Join a local conservation organization and volunteer time to help protect or restore ecosystems.

• Donate money or land to a land trust (see above). Several established trusts operate nationally, provincially, and locally.

• Create a conservation covenant with a local land trust or government through Environment Canada’s Ecological Gifts Program.

• Reduce your personal impact on ecosystems:
  • Drive less: walk, take public transit, join a car pool, ride a bicycle, or buy a fuel-efficient vehicle.
  • Reduce consumption and disposal of unnecessary goods.
  • Recycle materials, conserve energy and water, and reduce waste.
  • Support “green” businesses and buy certified products. For a list of programs that identify forest products from sustainably managed forests, see forestry certification programs.
  • Support and encourage sustainable practices at work or school.

For detailed information, including graph data, see In-Depth Report [pdf].