Environmental Trends 2007

Species Conservation

In 1992, Canada became the first industrialized nation to sign the UN Convention on Biological Diversity
Canada ’s Species at Risk Act (SARA) came into force in June 2004.
The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) is an independent body of experts who use scientific, aboriginal, and community knowledge to determine the conservation status of species in Canada.
The Invasive Alien Species Strategy for Canada addresses threats from invasive plants and animals to Canada’s wildlife, forests, fisheries, and resource sectors.
Canada’s Oceans Strategy was developed to understand and protect the marine environment, support sustainable development, and provide international leadership and oceans governance.

The B.C. Conservation Data Centre collects and provides information on plants, animals and ecosystems at risk in B.C.
Strategic Land Use Planning identifies key areas for management and conservation.
The B.C. Wildlife Act was amended in 2004, to allow Cabinet to designate the full range of species provided for in the federal Species at Risk Act, including plants and invertebrates.
In 2004, 39 species (all previously listed by COSEWIC) were identified as Species at Risk under the Forest and Range Practices Act. Plans for forestry and range activities now require greater consideration of these species.
The Mountain Caribou Recovery Implementation Plan, announced in 2007, aims to restore the mountain caribou population to pre-1995 levels.

There are many other initiatives by international bodies, municipal governments, community groups, and volunteers. Here are just a few:

BioDiversity BC, a partnership of governments and non-governmental organizations, produced a report on the Status of Biodiversity in British Columbia in 2007, and is currently developing a Biodiversity Action Plan for 2009.
Nature Canada and Bird Studies Canada
Greater Vancouver Regional District Biodiversity Strategy
Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk
B.C. Trust for Public Lands

Learn more about B.C.’s flora and fauna through local natural history societies or by visiting national, provincial, or regional parks.
Encourage backyard biodiversity. Naturescape British Columbia provides information about how to restore, preserve, and enhance habitat in urban and rural landscapes and yards.
Share your knowledge of and passion for biodiversity with friends, children, and co-workers. Project WILD provides wildlife-focused conservation education for K-12 teachers and their students.
Get involved! Join a local advisory board, wildlife enhancement group, or community planning team. Support groups working on species at risk in British Columbia.
Participate in citizen science projects. Enter bird sightings on eBird, participate in local butterfly counts, Christmas bird counts, BC Frogwatch and Nature Canada surveys.
Never move non-native species, such as fish, frogs, turtles, or problem wildlife to other areas and don’t grow invasive plants in your garden. Remove invasive plants on your property.
Be informed about sustainably-harvested food from the wild, including fish. Buy from local outlets and farms with wildlife-friendly management.
Keep pets from roaming free: dogs, and especially cats, kill birds, snakes and other wildlife.
Be responsible about recreation: respect closed areas and decommissioned roads.
Consider protecting your land for the future with conservation covenants or agreements.

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