February 9, 2015 (OTTAWA) –  Nature Canada congratulates the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Federal Environment Minister, and her provincial and territorial colleagues on the announcement of Canada’s 2020 biodiversity goals and targets.

These goals and targets will provide the basis for measuring and reporting on progress made to protect and conserve biodiversity across the country through initiatives such as the National Conservation Plan.

“The best news is that the governments have endorsed the target of conserving at least 17 percent of Canada’s terrestrial areas and inland water, and 10 percent of coastal and marine areas, through networks of protected areas and other defined measures.” said Eleanor Fast, Nature Canada’s Executive Director. “Target 2 is also good news. It is essential that we keep secure species secure and ensure that species at risk exhibit trends consistent with recovery strategies and management plans.”

“Achieving these biodiversity goals and targets ins just five or six years is a daunting challenge that will demand collaborative efforts by governments, aboriginal peoples, industry, nature organizations not to mention significant new funding.” said Stephen Hazell, Director of Conservation.  “Nature Canada is keen to support achievement of the goals and targets wherever we can.”

The text of the four goals and 19 targets can be found here.

For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact:

• Eleanor Fast, Executive Director, 613-562-3447 X247 efast@naturecanada.ca; or
• Stephen Hazell, Director of Conservation, 613 724-1908, shazell@naturecanada.ca