Top 5 Breakthroughs in Conserving the Boreal Forest in 2020
December 18, 2020
It’s been a tough year in many ways. Yet amid the challenges presented by COVID-19, several bright spots emerged. Across the Boreal Forest, Indigenous Nations and their allies made sweeping gains in sustaining the lands, waters and natural systems we all depend on.
This progress held new significance this year.
The natural world provided solace to people staying close to home during 2020. Whether it was bird watching from the window or walking through the forest, many Canadians said the pandemic increased their interest in conserving lands and waters. And nearly three in four Canadians said they support federal investment in Indigenous-led conservation—including Indigenous Guardians and Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas—to help create a more sustainable future for Canada.
These highlights demonstrate the power of Indigenous stewardship to help conserve the Boreal Forest and the communities it sustains.
Canada to Protect 30% of lands by 2030 in partnership with Indigenous Peoples
Prime Minister Trudeau singled out the leadership of Indigenous Peoples in meeting Canada’s bold new goal of protecting 30% of lands by 2030. He made this announcement at a special session of the United Nations in September when Canada joined the High Ambition Coalition of countries working to sustain biodiversity. Canada will meet this bold target, the Prime Minister said, “the way we’ve worked on it so far, which is working with Indigenous Peoples who need to be partners in protecting the land, who understand how important it is to be good stewards of these lands and these waters that sustain us.”
Indigenous Protected & Conserved Areas like Ts'udé Nilįné Tuyeta, in the Northwest Territories, are helping Canada meet biodiversity goals. Photo: Pat Kane
Cree Nation Government protects nearly 40,000 sq km
Closing out the year with a burst of good news, the Cree Nation announced in December it is protecting a total of 23% of the Eeyou Istchee James Bay Territory in partnership with the Quebec Government. Now about 40,000 sq km—roughly the size of Switzerland—of rich boreal forest lands will be sustained. This Indigenous-led conservation, rooted in the knowledge of land users and trappers, will ensure animals, plants, healthy lands, and clean waters remain for future generations.
More than 25 Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area projects move forward
Despite the challenges of COVID-19, over two dozen Indigenous Nations advanced the creation of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas. They hosted community meetings, held planning sessions, and drew from elders’ knowledge to advance their visions for conserving the land. The projects, funded in 2019 through the Government of Canada’s Nature Fund, will protect tens of thousands of square kilometres of boreal forest lands and waters.
10 new Indigenous Guardians programs launch, bringing total to more than 70
In July, 10 new Indigenous Guardians programs received funding through the Indigenous Guardians Pilot Program. Indigenous Guardians are trained experts who help restore wildlife, conduct research, sustain cultural sites, and manage Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas. Valerie Courtois, the director of the Indigenous Leadership Initiative, said this latest investment “means more guardians will be shaping the future of their nations, and more lands and waters will be managed for the benefit of all."
Over 50,000 supporters join new Land Needs Guardians campaign
In January, the Land Needs Guardians campaign launched to celebrate the work of Indigenous Guardians and call for long-term investments in Guardians programs and Indigenous-led stewardship. Guardians are helping address climate change and sustain biodiversity throughout the Boreal Forest, and their proven success has generated broad support. Since the kickoff event in Ottawa—attended by Ministers, Members of Parliament and Indigenous leaders from across the country—over 50,000 people have joined the campaign to honour Guardians’ conservation leadership.