Parks Canada contributes another $1 million to support ecological corridors in Canada

Little Saskatchewan River corridor project will improve connectivity between Riding Mountain National Park and the Assiniboine River

WINNIPEG, MB, Nov. 29, 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, Terry Duguid, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and Special Advisor for Water, announced nearly $1 million in funding to support an ecological corridor initiative in Manitoba.

Funded by Parks Canada’s National Program for Ecological Corridors, this project will advance a collaborative approach by municipal governments, willing landowners, and Indigenous groups to elevate conservation planning and Indigenous stewardship in the heartland of Manitoba. The project aims to create a belt of greenspace along the Little Saskatchewan River, from Riding Mountain National Park to the Assiniboine River, that is managed for connectivity while ensuring sustainable development and livelihoods for decades to come. It will also improve water quality in local river systems and help maintain species at risk.

Today’s announcement builds on last week’s announcement where Parks Canada committed nearly $6 million in funding to ecological corridor projects across Canada. These projects are being led by environmental non-profit, non-governmental organizations who will also provide more than $7.2 million of in-kind and monetary contributions to advance on-the-ground connectivity work in 9 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

“To me, few places are more special than Riding Mountain National Park and the Assiniboine River. Manitobans have asked our government to conserve these places and our beautiful province. Today’s announcement does just that: an ecological corridor initiative– in partnership with local first nations, landowners, and local governments – to safeguard the southwest of our province. The corridor 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.”

Terry Duguid

Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and Special Advisor for Water

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.

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