The Nature Trust of British Columbia’s Post

A major win for nature protection in BC! Last week, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change announced almost $50 million of funding for nature in BC. He was joined by Dr. Andrew Day; Patrick Weiler; Dr. Jasper Lament; and Blair Mack, Elected Councillor for Nuxalk Nation. This funding supports the largest conservation campaign in the country’s history, aiming to help meet emissions reduction targets and to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030. An investment of $37 million to BC Parks Foundation will protect approximately 4,000 hectares of private land and implement natural climate solutions, avoiding the conversion of carbon-rich ecosystems across British Columbia. The project will take place in priority habitats, including grasslands, forests, riparian areas, and wetlands in multiple locations, such as Vancouver Island, the Southern Interior, and Northern British Columbia. This will also benefit several species at risk, such as Salmon species (Chum and Coho), Marbled Murrelet, Great Blue Heron, and other at-risk migratory birds. Read more about this exceptional commitment to protecting nature in BC and Canada at bit.ly/3Y62t0D 

📣 The Feds just popped the news about another $89 million for conservation and "greenhouse gas emissions reduction projects". Minister Steven Guilbeault announced 10 projects through the Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund, focusing on preserving carbon-rich ecosystems across six provinces. Big investments include $37 million for BC Parks Foundation, $8 million for the Nature Trust of British Columbia, and over $4 million for the Nuxalk Nation, enhancing protected areas and benefiting species at risk. While this is great news, it shines even more light on why we need a strong Nature Accountability Act. The tabled Act is weak and lacks the teeth to hold the feds accountable on progress and reporting -- something that will ultimately allow us to have major funding events like these to be better directed under our GBF commitments. #30x30 #Biodiversity #Stewardship #conservation https://lnkd.in/gk2tGY78

Initiatives like these, about sustainable traditional practices and teaching others by passing on the knowledge to caring for country for generations to come, champions in my book 🏆

The Nature Conservancy has announced the Connectivity, Climate, and Communities Fund to support the mission of ensuring a world where people and nature thrive. In an effort to have the highest possible impact on the climate and biodiversity crises, they have launched a website for organizations to apply for grant opportunities to protect and conserve the Northeast. These programs will enable organizations, communities, and governments to achieve land protection on a larger scale than they normally would be able to. They will also allow collaboration to conserve vital wildlife habitat, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, build resilience to the impacts of climate change and generate new job and recreation opportunities. The Resilient and Connected Appalachians Grant Program—for organizations based in Massachusetts, New Jersey, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine—and the New York Climate Resilience Grant Program, will provide grants of up to $50,000 to partners that are working on conservation in the Appalachian region– a stronghold of climate resilience and a vital migration pathway for species. Learn more and apply: https://buff.ly/3sUH51c Applications close February 28, 2024.

Excited about Environment and Climate Change Canada's $89.1M investment in emissions reduction with Indigenous-led projects in #Alberta and #Manitoba! Protecting grasslands, forests, and wetlands, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions benefiting both nature and #Prairie communities! 🌱 The Métis Nation of Alberta is receiving $4.8M to protect approximately 450 hectares of lands that are at high risk of conversion and support the development of a management plan focusing on improving biodiversity and carbon sequestration potential. 🌱 Fisher River Cree Nation is receiving $5.1M to prevent land conversion and loss of carbon from peat harvesting in the Interlakes region of Manitoba. The project will take place in carbon-rich peatlands and will provide connectivity within a migratory bird flyway. 🌱 The Manitoba Habitat Conservancy is receiving $6.1M to secure privately held carbon- and biodiversity-rich lands. The activities will take place in priority habitats, including grasslands, forests, riparian areas, and wetlands.   Funding was for a total of 10 greenhouse gas emissions reductions projects through the Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund. Congratulations to all the recipients! Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eddBiE6g

We must consider all towns and cities as sponges. To mitigate floods, droughts and climate change. And enhance liveability. Although the Sponge City approach isn't new, the challenge is in working #transdisciplinary and integrate #WaterManagement, #TownPlanning and "climate risk-informed" #DecisionMaking. Not only we are embracing the #SpongeCity approach in the Netherlands, such as #Rotterdam and #Zwolle, but also building capacity through the "China Europe Cooperation on Sponge Cities" #CECoSC as part of the China Europe Water Platform. Other EU fundend research projects which include Sponge Cities are #NBRACER, #SpongeScapes, #DroBE a.o.

Great piece by Jacob Evans on BBC News which asks whether London should become a #SpongeCity. The package shows how creating urban areas that absorb water reduces #floodrisk, and in the soon to be launched final report of the #LondonClimateResilienceReview we explore many other benefits. In England, if no action is taken by 2050 the nation’s public water supply will face a shortfall of 5 billion litres of water per day. Holding water for longer, rather than simply flushing it through the sewage system, helps reduce #drought risks and is good for #waterquality. It can also support wildlife, biodiversity and create parks and spaces for communities to enjoy. It's a win win win. More in the article: https://lnkd.in/ecvjuDwt Alastair Chisholm CIWEM (The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management) Dr Mark Fletcher FREng Arup Dr Elizabeth Rapoport Charlotte Wood London Wildlife Trust Pete Daw Sachin Bhoite George Leigh Johanna Sutton London Climate Change Partnership (LCCP) London Sustainable Development Commission London Climate Action Week

ONLY 6 YEARS LEFT TO RESTORE ECOSYSTEMS AND AVOID CATASTROPHIC CLIMATE CHANGE!   The Restoration Decade Alliance has today released an important position statement - A national approach to nature positive restoration in Australia - to show how governments, industries and communities can help turn around  the alarming loss and degradation of ecosystems in Australia.   As Australia prepares to host the world’s first Global Nature Positive Summit, we must show the rest of the world that we recognise that decreasing degradation and increasing restoration are the keys to creating a ‘nature positive’ world.  https://lnkd.in/g8k52VgX Landcare Australia National Landcare Network Greening Australia The Nature Conservancy Gondwana Link Great Eastern Ranges Australian Association of Bush Regenerators - AABR Global EverGreening Alliance Wetland Revival Trust The Society for Ecological Restoration Australasia (SERA) Society for Ecological Restoration (SER) The Australian Network for Plant Conservation inc. (ANPC) OzFish Unlimited WWF-Australia

🌍World Environment Day 2024🌳 As an environmental consultant, I've seen firsthand the profound impact that land degradation and desertification have on ecosystems and communities. This year, World Environment Day focuses on land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience — topics that are critically important to our future. Did you know? - Every year, we lose 100 million hectares of land to desertification — that's equivalent to four football fields of healthy land every second! (UNCCD) - Up to 40% of the world's land is already degraded, affecting nearly half of humanity. (UNCCD) Healthy land is more than just a resource; it provides our food, shelters us, offers jobs, and protects us from climate extremes like droughts and floods. Yet, the pressure on our land continues to grow due to unsustainable practices and increasing demands. As we mark World Environment Day, let's remember that each one of us can contribute to land restoration. Whether through supporting policies that promote sustainable practices, participating in local conservation projects, or simply spreading awareness, our collective efforts can make a significant difference. #GenerationRestoration #landrestoration #sustainability #desertification #droughtResilience #revivelands #enddesertification #securewater #greenertogether #unitedfornature #worldenvironmentday #sustainabledevelopmentgoals #ecosystemrestoration

At the Coral Triangle Conservation Fund (CTCF), restoration is a critical pillar of our strategy. The Coral Triangle faces significant threats like unsustainable fishing practices, land-based pollution, and climate change. This biodiversity hotspot is currently experiencing its fourth global coral bleaching event. If these threats persist, the region's reefs, mangroves, and seagrasses as well as the diverse marine life they support, will face devastation. This loss not only threatens global marine biodiversity but also jeopardises food security for the 365 million people living in the Coral Triangle and those connected through global food supply chains. CTCF is committed to facilitating the natural recovery of marine and coastal ecosystems by addressing local drivers of degradation. This includes establishing incentives and financing mechanisms for ecosystem restoration and developing rapid response programs for emergencies like storms and oil spills. Join us in our efforts to help the Coral Triangle’s impacted marine and coastal ecosystems bounce back: https://lnkd.in/gimSZd-9 #CTCF #CoralTriangle #Biodiversity #SDG17 #ForCoral #Sustainability #GenerationRestoration Image Credits: Martin Colognoli/ Ocean Image Bank