Category Archive for ‘News’

Ottawa, ON (February 8, 2018) — Bill C-69, the proposed Canadian Impact Assessment Act, improves greatly on the Harper government’s 2012 law, but amendments are needed if the federal government is to regain public trust in reviews of pipeline and other projects and position Canada for a sustainable future. “Bill C-69 represents important reform by emphasizing sustainability, a single-agency approach to assessing resource projects, and eliminating rules restricting public participation in hearings” says Stephen Hazell, Director of Conservation and General Counsel. “But amendments will be needed if this law is to support Canada’s international commitments to reverse biodiversity loss and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.” “Nature Canada is disappointed that the Bill does not require assessment of the sustainability of proposed government policies,… read more →

Nature is coming into focus… on Parliament Hill. Nature will likely be a big priority in the few months for the federal government. Groups like Nature Canada are leading the call for a historic investment for Nature in the budget – in fact, calling for $1.4-billion in the next budget. Environment Minister McKenna has requested a “major spend” in the next budget on environment and nature. Support for this has been bolstered by more than 100 MPs and Senators who signed  a letter sent to Finance Minister Bill Morneau. As well, thousands of Canadians have also written to the Finance Minister and their local MPs requesting more funds for the protection of nature. This month will likely also see the introduction… read more →

Today in Parliament, federal Fisheries Minister Dominic LeBlanc introduced amendments to the Fisheries Act, including provisions to restore important habitat safeguards and strengthen enforcement measures, as well as clarify  authorizations for projects or proposals that may damage habitat. Most importantly, the prohibition on altering, damaging or destroying fish habitat would be restored. Habitat that is particularly sensitive ecologically would be carefully scrutinized and activities that could affect them would not be authorized. The amendments make good on the 2015 election pledge by the Trudeau Liberals to restore lost protection for fish habitat. The legislation would also be modernized by providing for “fisheries management orders” that add regulatory tools and broaden the government’s ability to limit harmful fishing practices. New long-term… read more →

This post was written by guest blogger Tina-Louise Rossit. One might not think of Canada when thinking of fantastic creatures; however, this country is home to many wonderful animals worthy of the spotlight! Canada’s vast, diverse territory is filled with many different ecosystems and animals adapting to their niches. Adapting to the surrounding environment is hard work, and therefore evolution sometimes presents some pretty — umm — unique traits and characteristics. Some animals have developed morphological oddities, other behave quite specifically, but all have something we can learn from! Today’s honourary species is the Star-Nosed Mole. Basically a furball meets a sea anemone, the Star-Nosed Mole has a unique evolutionary development. Can you guess what it is? If you guessed… read more →

From the flowing streams to the old growth forests to the peak of the mighty mountains, Canada has amazing and beautiful nature to experience. One videographer, Florian Nick, travelled 5500 kilometers to explore the landscapes of British Columbia and Alberta and shared with us his experience. This video is a great reminder of how lucky we are to have these various ecosystems in Canada and how it is so important that we protect these lands for future generations. So how you can help protect our lands and waters? Join us in asking our federal government to ensure there is new funding for protected nature in the 2018 budget! If enough of us speak up, we cannot be ignored. Canada committed internationally to protecting… read more →

Get ready Canada for a new site-based conservation tool. Nature Canada is thrilled to be part of the leading edge of groups charged with introducing Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA) to Canada.  Building on Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs), which are about birds if you weren’t sure, KBA covers all visible forms of biodiversity from mammals to millipedes. Identifying and protecting them will contribute significantly to the global persistence of biodiversity, just as IBA protection is helping birds. KBAs are identified by applying the criteria and thresholds included in the “A Global Standard for the Identification of Key Biodiversity Areas” approved by the Council of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in April 2016. This standard applies to… read more →

The Canadian Wildlife Health Co-operative (CWHC) has published a new technical report called “Strategies to Prevent and Control Bird-Feeder Associated Diseases and Threats.” The report was prompted by the widespread trichomonosis outbreak in 2017 that extended from Ontario to Newfoundland and Labrador. This and other bird feeder associated diseases and threats generate a great deal of public concern, so the CWHC released this report to ensure the availability of scientifically accurate information on how to reduce the risks. Feeding of wildlife is generally discouraged as part of the overall effort to reduce human-wildlife contact, conflicts and disease transmission. However, bird feeding is considered an exception to that rule, partly due to the fact birds do not become dependent on feeders… read more →

Our NatureHood Partners were busy over the holidays helping kids explore nearby nature. From Sackville, NB across the country to Vancouver, BC, hundreds of kids and families took part in the annual Christmas Bird Count for Kids (CBC4Kids). Inspired by the Christmas Bird Count, CBC4Kids is a fun winter activity and a great way for families to learn more about local urban birds and bird conservation. Many of our NatureHood partners organized local CBC4Kids events that included nature walks led by volunteer guides to help identify local birds, followed by hot chocolate and snacks for the young citizen scientists to sip when they return. Their findings were then submitting through eBird, an online checklist managed by Bird Studies Canada. Christmas… read more →

Nature Canada’s Stephen Hazell asks whether the world actually needs a little less Canada in an op-ed published in Ottawa’s The Hill Times on January 17. Considering the harm to nature that Canadians cause, Hazell argues that if the world’s other species could vote on which humans should be voted off Turtle Island, “Canadians would be near the top of their list.” By way of examples, he observes that Canada protects less of its land and ocean than any other developed country. Canada produces more GHGs per capita than other OECD countries aside from the U.S. and Australia, and more garbage per capita than any other country. Quick starts for the federal government to shift Canada to a more sustainable… read more →

This blog was written by guest blogger Valerie Assinewe. This month’s calendar photo is of a Grizzly Bear in Kananaskis country. In myth, in Indigenous tradition and in popular culture, few mammals loom as large as this month’s featured species, the magnificent Grizzly Bear. Here is some information about this iconic animal. Where do they live? The Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos horribilis), a subspecies of the brown bear, inhabits western Canada. What do they look like? One of the largest of living carnivores, Brown Bears are 1-3 m in length from head to rump. They are 90-150 cm tall at the shoulder and they range in weight from 80-600 kg. On average, adult males are 8-10% larger than females. An adult Grizzly… read more →