Top 5 Breakthroughs in Boreal Forest Conservation in 2019
December 20, 2019 | BorealConservation.org
Sweeping stretches of the Boreal Forest gained protection this year thanks to the leadership of Indigenous Nations.
And the future looks even brighter. As Canada prepares to meet 2020 conservation targets and commit to new goals for 2030, the Indigenous-led proposals advanced this year will set Canada on a path to international leadership.
Here’s a look at highlights from 2019.
Creation of One of Biggest Protected Areas in Canada
In August, the Łutsël K’e Dene First Nation signed agreements with the Government of Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories to permanently protect 26,376 square kilometres of healthy, intact lands. Called Thaidene Nëné, the area begins 115 miles east of Yellowknife and stretches across broad waves of boreal forest and open tundra.
The entire span of Thaidene Nëné is an Indigenous protected area. Parts of it are also designated as a national park reserve, territorial park and wildlife conservation area. All of it will be co-managed by Łutsël K’e Dene First Nation, with the help of the Ni hat’ni Dene guardians.
Over 10,000 Kilometres Protected along Mackenzie River
The K’asho Got’ine of Fort Good Hope held a signing ceremony in November the Government of the Northwest Territories to protect an area nearly twice the size of Prince Edward Island. Known as Ts’ude niline Tu’eyeta (Ramparts River and Wetlands), it will be a joint Indigenous protected area and territorial park.
Unfolding along the Mackenzie River, Ts’ude niline Tu’eyeta is home to towering cliffs and vast boreal forest. Its wetlands host tens of thousands of migratory birds, including scaup, scoters and green-winged teal. These same wetlands also store close to 1.4 million tonnes of carbon—equivalent to seven years of Canada’s industrial greenhouse gas emissions.
Federal Funding for 27 Indigenous Protected or Conserved Areas
The Government of Canada announced $175 million in funding for a suite of conservation projects in August. These projects will help meet Canada’s commitment to protect 17% of lands by 2020—part of the international effort to reverse dangerous declines in biodiversity.
Twenty-seven Indigenous protected or conserved areas are expected to be established as a result of these funds, safeguarding millions of hectares of boreal forest, wetlands, salmon runs and caribou habitat. The scale and ambition of these proposals confirm that investing in Indigenous-led conservation is the most effective way for Canada to achieve its international biodiversity goals.
Scientists Underscore Value of Indigenous Stewardship
The United Nations released the Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in May. This group of leading scientists found that more than 1 million plant and animal species are facing extinction. Yet the report also identified a vital bright spot: lands and waters managed by Indigenous Peoples tend to be healthier and more vibrant than other areas.
Over 600 Indigenous communities call the Boreal Forest home, and their stewardship is helping keep it intact. In July, a study issued by the University of British Columbia examined data from Canada, Australia and Brazil and found that the number of species are highest on lands managed by Indigenous communities—higher than government-managed national parks and protected areas.
Indigenous Guardians Receive $6.4 Million
Twenty-two Indigenous Guardians programs and networks received $6.4 million in federal funding in July. Indigenous Guardians serve as “moccasins and mukluks” on the ground for communities across the boreal. They manage protected areas, restore animals and plants, monitor development, and preserve cultural sites.
The federal investments were determined by a Joint Working Group made up a majority of Indigenous experts—representing a new, collaborative approach to decision-making with the Government of Canada. Now there are over 60 Indigenous Guardians programs caring for lands throughout the country.
And One More: BC Passes Groundbreaking Law
While British Columbia is home to just a small portion of the boreal, a new provincial law could influence Indigenous-led conservation across the forest. The new legislation, passed in November, will align provincial laws with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. This will create greater “consultation and co-operation” with First Nations on decisions about the land.
Other jurisdictions are considering similar legislation. As UNDRIP gains momentum, more Indigenous Nations will play a greater role in determining the future of their lands—including which areas to protect for future generations.