Canadians enjoy rich natural landscapes from coast to coast to coast. This country is home to one quarter of the Earth's wetlands and boreal forests; one fifth of its fresh water; the longest coastline in the world; and important habitats for birds, fish, and mammals.
Today, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, commended the Capital Regional District on Vancouver Island for its contribution to conservation in Canada. They have officially recognized all 33 of the regional parks under their jurisdiction in the Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database. Now, as part of Canada's national conservation network, the combined area represents 13,329.75 hectares, or 133.3square kilometres, which is roughly equivalent to 33 Stanley Parks.
Science shows that conserving and restoring nature is vital to halting and reversing biodiversity loss, protecting species at risk, and fighting climate change. That is why the federal government has set the goal of conserving 30 percent of Canada's land and water by 2030 and is working with partners across the country to achieve it.
Some of these partners include other governments, Indigenous groups, and environmental non-government organizations. By working together to recognize more conserved areas in the national database, Canada will continue to have a clearer-and more complete-picture of the conservation network across the country.
The Capital Regional District is a trailblazer for reporting their locally-protected and conserved areas directly in the national database. They are a prime example of how local governments can make meaningful contributions to national and international conservation targets. The future depends on everyone working together to act now.
