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Ontario's proposal to expand our system of protected and conserved areas by adding 10,324 hectares is great news. While not showcased in the summaries, several areas are crucial for supporting species at risk, include candidate Key Biodiversity Areas, and serve as vital links in wildlife corridors. About half of these are also in southern Ontario, one of Canada’s crisis ecoregions. Many of the new sites in southern Ontario were the result of private land securement that was completed over a decade ago and they should have been added to our parks system much earlier. This also highlights that the dedicated and determined conservation efforts of so many groups often don’t show up on the public radar for years. How can we accelerate the development of our network of provincially protected and conserved areas? 1. Remove Barriers and Support Indigenous-led Conservation: Enhance support and capacity-building for Indigenous-led conservation efforts, particularly in northern Ontario. 2. Strengthen Capacity for Private Land Conservation: Boost the capabilities of organizations facilitating private land donations and purchases, especially in southern Ontario. 3. Introduce Provincial Tax Incentives for Land Conservation: Implement provincial income tax incentives similar to the federal EcoGifts program, encouraging landowners to donate lands for conservation purposes. Provincial income tax incentives are provided for mineral exploration (SK,MB) and logging (BC) and should be expanded to promote nature conservation. https://lnkd.in/gyHhhJ8D

Dozens of states across the country, including Virginia, are stepping up with innovative solutions to conserve lands and waters, protecting natural resources and wildlife for future generations. As momentum builds nationally to address the impact of climate change and stop the alarming loss of natural areas, a new report from the Center for American Progress and the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators reviews a variety of land conservation policy models that have been adopted at the state level—from the tried and true to creative new approaches—highlighting recent examples of each. “While recent state actions are encouraging, more is still needed,” said Drew McConville, senior fellow at the Center for American Progress and co-author of the report. “As the pace of nature loss and species extinctions grows, scaling up the impact will require even more committed leadership and deeper investment from governors and legislators, as well as effective support from Congress and federal agencies.” Read the report: “State Policy Leadership To Conserve Nature: A Guide to Innovative Land Conservation Policy Tools Being Deployed by State and Territorial Governments Across the Country” by Drew McConville, Kate Burgess, and Mariel Lutz - https://lnkd.in/essp2gtn

🌊 Happy World Rivers Day! 🌍 Today we celebrate World Rivers Day, a time to recognize the importance of our rivers and the vital role they play in our ecosystems. It’s also a perfect moment to honor Theodore Roosevelt’s remarkable contributions to the conservation of our waterways. 🏞️ TR’s Conservation Legacy: Theodore Roosevelt, one of America’s greatest conservationists, understood the critical importance of preserving natural resources, including rivers. His efforts led to the protection of numerous waterways and the establishment of policies that have safeguarded these vital ecosystems for future generations. 🌊 Protected Rivers and Areas: Roosevelt’s conservation efforts had a significant impact on preserving rivers and their surrounding environments. Here are a few examples: • Niobrara River, Nebraska: The Niobrara Scenic River, later protected due to its unique ecological value, benefited from Roosevelt’s early conservation advocacy. • Platte River, Nebraska: Roosevelt’s broader environmental policies helped ensure the conservation of the Platte River ecosystem, vital for migratory birds. • Salt River, Arizona: The establishment of the Salt River Project during Roosevelt’s presidency provided crucial water management and conservation, highlighting his commitment to sustainable use of waterways. 📊 TR's Conservation Efforts By the Numbers: • 5 National Parks • 18 National Monuments • 150 National Forests • 51 Federal Bird Reserves • 4 National Game Preserves Roosevelt’s establishment of these protected areas helped conserve countless miles of rivers and streams, ensuring clean water and vibrant habitats for wildlife. 🌿 How to Celebrate: • Explore Nature: Visit a local river or protected waterway and enjoy its natural beauty. • Get Involved: Participate in river clean-up events or support conservation organizations. • Learn More: Educate yourself about the importance of rivers and the ongoing efforts to protect them. Let’s honor Theodore Roosevelt’s legacy by continuing to protect and preserve our precious rivers for generations to come. #WorldRiversDay #TheodoreRoosevelt #Conservation #TR #ProtectOurRivers #Nature #Sustainability #Waterways

The process of returning land, resources, and cultural heritage to Indigenous communities brings numerous benefits, including supporting the conservation of lands for climate resilience and biodiversity. We’re working with the Penobscot Nation to return about 30,000 acres located within the heart of the Nation’s ancestral hunting and fishing territories, known as Wáhsehtəkʷ. Read about how this stewardship of the land will benefit all: https://lnkd.in/eCykSqtC

How will the reduced buffer zone around Gir Forest impact conservation? #GirForest #Wildlife #SustainableDevelopment #EnvironmentalBalance Learn how the revised eco-zone around Gir Forest balances conservation and development. Click below https://lnkd.in/d4Q85e5w

The Conservation Crescent has proven an effective ecological concept that has raised awareness of the need to preserve critical Detroit River habitats that support ecosystem health and provide many ecosystem services. https://lnkd.in/gVvCRBdT #DetroitRiver #conservation #ecosystemrestoration

Public lands conservation can promote rural resilience

The 1st Indigenous-Led 'Blue Park' in Canada! Exciting news from the Kitasoo Xai'xais Nation in British Columbia! The nation has established the Gitdisdzu Lugyeks Marine Protected Area (MPA), marking Canada's first Indigenous-led 'blue park.' Spanning 33.5 square kilometers, this area is a vital hub for marine biodiversity, including herring, whales, and numerous bird species. Necessity and Initiation: The creation of the 'blue park' addressed the declines in local marine species such as abalone and salmon. Initiated by the Kitasoo Xai'xais Nation in 2022, the area was declared a protected zone under their own laws, aiming to preserve and rejuvenate marine life for sustainable community use. Decision Process: The Kitasoo Xai'xais Stewardship Authority made the decision, with the Blue Park designation awarded by the Marine Conservation Institute based on the area's ecological significance and effective management practices. Size and Ecological Characteristics: Spanning 33.5 square kilometers along the central coast of British Columbia, the MPA boasts rich marine biodiversity, including herring, shorebirds, and whales. The region is recognized for its unique ecological system, reminiscent of the Galapagos due to its diverse marine life. Methodology and Funding: The establishment of the MPA involved rigorous scientific assessment by the Marine Conservation Institute. Funding and support for conservation efforts have come from both conservation bodies and governmental and non-governmental organizations. Achievements and Challenges: Since its declaration, the MPA has seen significant local conservation efforts, including stricter fishing regulations enforced by the community's Guardian Watchmen. Challenges include obtaining broader governmental recognition and managing external fishing pressures. Future Steps: The Kitasoo Xai'xais Nation is planning to expand protected areas and work towards the establishment of a national marine conservation area reserve, aiming for further areas to be recognized and protected by 2030 in line with global marine conservation targets. This initiative is a pivotal step in merging Indigenous knowledge with modern conservation science to protect and sustainably manage vital marine ecosystems. Let us mainstream indigenous people managed conservation and nature restoration and allow their wisdom to lead the way in restoring Earth's vital signs. #NatureRestoration #Regeneration #MarineConservation #IndigenousLeadership #SustainableDevelopment #MarineProtectedArea #BluePark #Canada #KitasooXaixais

🌿🦘 Explore the hidden gem of conservation at The Quoin! Nestled in the heart of the Tasmanian Midlands, this property is not just a haven for breathtaking landscapes but also a lifeline for endangered wildlife like the elusive Eastern barred bandicoot (Perameles gunnii). We're thrilled to announce that The Quoin, this iconic conservation property, is now a Registered Account to support a mission to protect and enhance our precious natural environment!   📋 Account Name: The Quoin  🔖 Account ID: AU00065 📍Location: Midlands, Tasmania  🌏 Area: 4,985 ha  🌳 Assets: Native Vegetation, Terrestrial Mammals, Aquatic Fauna   The Wedgetail Foundation is behind this account to champion biodiversity conservation and restoration. They invest and support global initiatives dedicated to protecting our natural world. 🌱 This Environmental Account aims to document the condition of three key environmental assets at The Quoin: Native Vegetation, Terrestrial Mammals, and Aquatic Fauna. As they transition from a grazing enterprise to conservation-focused land management, they will adopt environmental accounting to establish a baseline of environmental conditions for their assets. This will involve using three existing Accredited Methods from the Accounting for Nature® Method Catalogue. This baseline will help guide their evolving program of restoration and stewardship, ensuring a brighter future for the beloved Tasmanian Midlands. 💚🌿   Thank you, Wedgetail, for adopting the Accounting for Nature® Framework. This initiative adds 8,309,956 hectares of total land area in Australia under our Framework.   Learn more about the account on our Environmental Account Registry 🔗 https://bit.ly/3KEZ9Bs   #Conservation #Biodiversity #TheQuoin #Tasmania #EnvironmentalStewardship #NativeVegetation #TerrestrialMammals #AquaticFauna #WedgetailFoundation #EnvironmentalAccounting #Baseline #Measuring 

Collaborating with local communities and government are key to conservation outcomes. This is one of WWFMY-SCP's collaborative efforts on mangrove conservation in Sarawak: https://lnkd.in/gK_srTCQ