Everyone has an important role to play in biodiversity conservation, conserving and restoring habitat, and protecting and recovering species at risk. That's why the Government of Canada is finding new ways to collaboratively engage across all sectors and governments to help support nature.
Today, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, launched the Conservation Exchange Pilot, an innovative, science-based initiative designed to enable more conservation work in Canada.
Businesses across Canada are reflecting on ways to reduce their carbon footprint and improve environmental sustainability practices, and the Conservation Exchange Pilot presents a voluntary opportunity for them to help conserve nature. For the first time, the Conservation Exchange is applying a science-based certification process that includes a standardized measure of biodiversity benefits to conservation projects. Funding partners will receive a certificate from Environment and Climate Change Canada to recognize their investments in nature.
The first three projects include:
- The Amherst Point Salt Marsh Restoration Project-to transition the landscape from unnatural and highly-modified habitats to richer, naturally-dynamic coastal wetlands. This project is being carried out by Ducks Unlimited Canada and partially funded by Irving Oil Ltd., in Nova Scotia.
- The MacKenzie Creek Restoration Project in Alberta-this watershed-scale restoration project, which will be carried out by Trout Unlimited Canada with funding support from Teck Resources Limited, will address stream health degradation at high-priority sites, and improving and protecting spawning and rearing habitat for Bull Trout and Athabasca Rainbow Trout (endangered).
- Precision conservation agriculture in Manitoba and Saskatchewan-this project involves helping farmers realize biodiversity benefits, including enhanced pollination, by converting areas of marginal cropland to perennial cover. It is being carried out by Ducks Unlimited Canada and supported by Nutrien and Maple Leaf Foods.
