To Conserve the Boreal Forest, Support More Indigenous Guardians

 

March 10, 2020 I Boreal Conservation

Taku River Tlingit Land Guardian monitors for invasive species.

The Boreal Forest is the largest intact forest left on the planet. Stretching from the Yukon to Newfoundland and Labrador, it is one of the few places where you can still fly for hours over unbroken waves of spruce, vibrant wetlands and clear blue lakes. The boreal is a stronghold of nature.

Yet keeping it healthy requires the work of people. In the era of climate change, increased pressure from development and mounting extinctions of animal and plant species, we need people on the ground caring for the boreal. We need people to monitor caribou herds, safeguard nesting grounds for migratory birds and conserve fully functioning lands into the future.

In many regions of the forest, this vital work is being done by Indigenous Guardians. Now a new campaign called Land Needs Guardians has launched to celebrate and support this work.

Indigenous Guardians are trained experts who manage the land on behalf of their communities. They restore animals and plants, manage protected areas and monitor and implement environmental protection plans on development projects. Their work is guided by Indigenous and western science and shaped by Indigenous knowledge of the boreal that has been built over thousands of years.

Research confirms that Indigenous stewardship is one of the most effective models for sustaining lands for generations to come. The United Nations Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services found that more than 1 million plant and animal species are facing extinction. Yet the report also identified an important ray of hope: lands managed by Indigenous Peoples tend to be healthier and more vibrant than other areas.

A University of British Columbia study from 2019 came to similar conclusions. Researchers compared data from Canada, Australia and Brazil and found that the number of birds, mammals and reptiles were highest on lands managed by Indigenous communities.

Indeed, the traditional territories of Indigenous Peoples hold 80% of the planet’s remaining biodiversity

These places are healthy, in part, because Indigenous values nurture a relationship between people and the land. It’s about connection. As Elders often say: “Take care of the land, and the land takes of us.”

Many Indigenous Nations in Canada are honouring their connection to the land by establishing Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas—places that sustain salmon, moose, waterfowl, clean water and huge storehouses of carbon. Indigenous Guardians help provide the ongoing management for these protected areas.

This combination of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas and Indigenous Guardians programs has far-reaching benefits. Canada pledged to protect 25% of lands by 2025.The biggest, most ambitious plans for conserving lands are coming from Indigenous Nations across the Boreal Forest. Supporting these proposals will bring Canada close to meeting its conservation goals.

Right now, there are about 60 Indigenous Guardians programs in operation. More programs across the country would keep more boreal lands healthy and vibrant.

The Land Needs Guardians campaign launched in January to generate broad support for and long-term investments in Guardians programs. Click here to join the movement and help advance Indigenous stewardship across the Boreal Forest.