Ecological connectivity is vitally important to ensuring effective protected area networks that conserve nature. It is also critical to tackle the top threats to biodiversity: habitat loss, habitat fragmentation, and climate change.
Canada’s Nature Strategy, alongside several goals and targets of the Kunming-Montréal Global Biodiversity Framework (Goal A, Targets 1,2,3,12,14), emphasize that ecological connectivity is fundamental to high-functioning ecosystems and healthy species populations.
Through an initial investment from Enhanced Nature Legacy, Parks Canada has developed a successful National Ecological Corridors program that has identified national priority areas for action, and
supported Indigenous partners, other jurisdictions, and NGOs in implementing on-the-ground connectivity initiatives. Renewing and expanding this support is vital to build on and increase this important work.
Recommendation:
Renewal of the Enhanced Nature Legacy program should include extending Parks Canada’s National Program for Ecological Corridors to 2030 or beyond ($120 million over five years) [PC, ECCC].