A rare opportunity to conserve one of Canada’s most important natural landscapes
Boreal Wildlands. Adam Bialo – Kontakt
Canada is undertaking bold nation-building projects to secure our future. Today, Canadians have a rare opportunity to be part of one of the most significant conservation opportunities in our country’s history: one that delivers economic and environmental benefits across the country and around the world.
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is building on the success of its 2022 Boreal Wildlands project by advancing a new conservation initiative in Canada’s boreal forest. Thanks to the support of businesses, foundations, the governments of Ontario and Canada, and hundreds of private donors in 2022, NCC protected 145,000 hectares of boreal forest, wetlands, rivers and creeks in northern Ontario – the single-largest private land conservation project in Canadian history. This achievement reflects the leadership of Canadians who believe in protecting the lands and waters that sustain us all.
The impact of this large-scale project is profound and now we have an opportunity to expand its benefits even further by protecting more of the lands that provide clean water, climate stability and community well-being. NCC has the opportunity to protect an additional 90,000 hectares in northern Ontario, through a new project called Taiga Forest and Peatlands.
The time to act is now. To protect Taiga Forest and Peatlands, NCC must secure the remaining funding. NCC is inviting Canadians to donate to this rare, time-sensitive opportunity to conserve more of the boreal forest with a $70-million fundraising campaign.
The boreal forest, together with its peatlands and soils, is the largest terrestrial carbon storehouse on the planet. Its deep peatlands capture and store carbon at the highest rates of any northern ecosystem, and it provides habitat for countless species of plants and animals. It also delivers essential benefits for people, including clean drinking water and natural flood protection resulting in more resilient northern communities.
“Canada is fortunate to be the steward of a vast portion of the boreal forest, and we have this incredible responsibility to care for it today and into the future,” says Dana Kleniewski, NCC’s regional vice president, Ontario.
“Expanding conservation in the boreal forest is one of the most powerful nature-based solutions we have to strengthen Canada’s resilience,” she says. “Opportunities to conserve large tracts of private land in the north are rare, and when they arise, it’s important to move quickly to ensure that nature can continue to care for people and communities for generations.”
Making a difference for nature and people
Ms. Kleniewski says donors to large land conservation initiatives often share how gratifying it is to make a difference in this way. They feel empowered to take meaningful action and to be part of a solution that endures.
Bruce MacLellan has been donating to NCC for 35 years and volunteering for the organization for the past 25. He says his support of the boreal forest projects stands out for him as especially worthwhile.
“Supporting the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s work in the boreal forest has been deeply meaningful to me,” says Mr. MacLellan. “Knowing that my contribution is helping to protect one of the world’s largest carbon storehouses – a place that shelters countless species and sustains Indigenous communities – gives me pride that Canada is creating a global legacy for generations to come.”
Canada’s boreal forest
faces threats
The boreal forest covers 55 per cent of Canada’s land mass and is one of the largest intact forest ecosystems in the world. “Protecting this resource is more critical than ever, not only for wildlife and ecosystems, but for the people and communities who depend on these natural systems every day,” says Kristyn Richardson, a program director and biologist for NCC in Ontario.
“Like many habitats across the country, this landscape is under increasing pressure from multiple, overlapping demands on the ecosystem,” she says. Ms. Richardson notes that between 2000 and 2016, the boreal forest experienced nearly 7.7 million hectares of habitat loss. As intact landscapes of this size become increasingly rare, investing in this protection opportunity has never been more urgent.
“Conservation of this scale is just not possible in many parts of the world, but it’s crucial for addressing the impact of environmental change and nature loss,” she says.
“Protecting the boreal forest and the wetlands and peatlands contained within it will help to prevent the release of carbon dioxide and ensure more of it gets absorbed. Think of the impact: Conserving an area equivalent to 1.5 times the size of Toronto will help to mitigate climate change on a global scale. The Taiga Forest and Peatlands stores 32 million tonnes of carbon – equivalent to the lifetime emissions of 36 million cars.” In addition to storing carbon, this landscape protects freshwater systems; reduces flooding, drought and wildfire risk; and strengthens northern community resilience.
Powerful partnerships
on the land
For more than six decades, NCC has conserved, restored and cared for Canada’s most important natural places. Through strong partnerships and modern conservation tools, NCC is uniquely positioned to deliver effective results through this large-scale land conservation project.
Securing land is only the first step. Stewardship – the long-term care and management of these landscapes – is central to NCC’s mission. Each property is actively monitored and managed to sustain ecosystem health and support biodiversity. This work also brings meaningful economic benefits through local employment, training opportunities and long-term stewardship capacity within nearby communities.
This stewardship is strengthened through collaboration with local communities, Indigenous Nations, governments and industry partners, ensuring that ecological and economic goals move forward together.
The value of this on-the-ground stewardship is reflected in the work of Wayne Neegan, NCC’s manager of natural areas for northern Ontario. Based in Hearst, he oversees day-to-day conservation activities across the region and works closely with nearby communities to support long-term ecological well-being and access to these landscapes.
“Opportunities to conserve large tracts of private land in the north are rare, and when they arise, it’s important to move quickly to ensure that nature can continue to care for people and communities for generations.. ”
“Working with local communities to maintain access to these lands and support ongoing conservation work is a priority,” he says. “Shared stewardship creates tangible economic benefits as NCC hires interns and local contractors to assist with habitat management and restoration. We’re also partnering with local schools, bringing youth onto the land so they can learn about the species and trees found here, and strengthen their connection to this incredible resource.”
A key part of his work focuses on caribou conservation. “We are seeking ways to rehabilitate the woodland caribou population, which has diminished over the years,” he says. “Long-term monitoring across these properties helps track movements and guide habitat restoration. NCC is also restoring former logging roads to reconnect habitats and improve movement corridors for caribou and other species.”
Habitat fragmentation, such as that caused by roads, disrupts species movement and allows predators like black bears to reach areas used by threatened caribou. Restoring these decommissioned roads by planting black spruce and other native species helps re-establish natural conditions and improve habitat safety.
For Mr. Neegan, the work is deeply meaningful. He describes a strong sense of purpose each time he explores these lands and sees the impact of restoration efforts firsthand. “I feel very privileged to be part of NCC and its efforts to restore and protect these precious habitats,” he says.
This is a rare moment to protect one of Canada’s greatest natural assets – forever.
IMPACT OF CONSERVING BOREAL forest
Protect a vast expanse of Canada’s boreal forest, keeping carbon in the ground and safeguarding freshwater systems.
Conserve and steward an additional 90,000 hectares of newly protected lands and waters, strengthening connectivity and enhancing vital ecological corridors – intact areas that allow wildlife to move across the landscape.
Safeguard habitat for plants and wide-ranging mammals like wolf, lynx, moose, black bear and threatened caribou.
Preserve critical breeding grounds for hundreds of migratory bird species.
To view this report on The Globe's website, visit globeandmail.com
To view the full report as it appeared in The Globe's print edition Protecting the Boreal Forest