Page 8 - Canadian Wilderness spring summer 2017

FEATURE

For the first time since 1992, federal, The Bay of Fundy lacks a proper network of marine protected areas to conserve its ecological
provincial, and territorial governments riches. Photo: Irwin Barrett
are working together to expand
Canada’s protected area systems with finally underway. In Canada, where our behalf, these kinds of government
Indigenous peoples, non-governmental 90 per cent of our land and all our processes are essential to set the
organizations, and other partners. The freshwater and ocean environments are stage for on-the-ground conservation
goal is to meet Canada’s commitment “public,” managed by governments on outcomes. Their success will rely on
under the UN Convention on Biological
Diversity to protect at least 17 per cent of
our land and freshwater by 2020. A joint
process called the “Pathway to Target 1”
has been launched, and a stakeholder
advisory panel will soon be appointed to
help guide the work.

The federal government is also
moving ahead to implement Canada’s
commitment to protect at least 10 per
cent of our ocean by 2020. Fisheries and
Oceans Canada is developing a science-
based plan for how to get there, in
consultation with CPAWS, Indigenous
peoples, and others.

After years of calling on governments to
deliver on these commitments, CPAWS
is pleased that these initiatives are

CONSERVATION TO 2020 AND BEYOND

PROTECTION OF ONE OF QUEBEC’S LAST WILD RIVERS

Located just north of Algonquin Park in western Quebec, the Dumoine River watershed is an area of high conservation value
providing a vital link between the forests of the Ottawa Valley and the boreal forest to the north. Home to rare old-growth
forests and an array of plant and animal species, including moose, bear and wolves, the Dumoine is really one of Quebec’s last
wild rivers. In fact, it is one of only a handful of rivers in southern Quebec without dams.

Interim protection was granted to 1,445 square kilometres
of the watershed in 2008 and, since then, expansions have
been made, bringing the total protected area to almost 1,800
square kilometres.These recent additions connected the
Dumoine protected area to a smaller protected area known
as Wanaki, bringing the total area conserved in the region to
some 2,200 square kilometres.

Dumoine River Watershed. Photo: Elena Kreuzberg While CPAWS applauds this move on the part of the
province, we remain concerned that the final boundaries and
final level of protection have yet to be announced almost
10 years after interim status was granted.Without final
boundaries and level of protection, it is difficult to engage
local communities and for these communities to fully benefit
from the opportunities associated with the protected area,
including jobs and investment.

- John McDonnell, CPAWS Ottawa Valley Please visit www.cpaws-ov-vo.org

8 • Canadian Wilderness • SPRING/SUMMER 2017 www.cpaws.org