Nature networks in urban areas can play key role in federal plan to preserve biodiversity

The world is experiencing increasing climate chaos and a rapid and terrifying loss of biodiversity, and our cities and near urban areas are the frontline. For example, southern Ontario contains Canada’s fastest growing urban regions and one-third of the Canadian population. Yet barely three per cent of the landscape is permanently protected. So, it comes as no surprise that since 2009, Ontario’s list of species at risk has grown by 22 per cent. Nature is clinging on for survival as the impacts from climate change ramp up. But there is good news. The federal government has demonstrated its desire to take leadership, setting a goal of protecting 25 per cent of Canada by 2025 and 30 per cent by 2030, as part of a strong commitment to halt and reverse biodiversity loss and respond to climate change. As part of that, Ottawa has also committed to planting two billion trees to permanently grow Canada’s tree canopy, provide habitat for a range of species, and improve opportunities for outdoor recreation, while supporting ecosystem services like natural climate regulation and flood control. But it’s obvious that Canada cannot halt and reverse biodiversity loss without recognizing the role our cities and near urban areas play in preserving biodiversity and increasing climate change resilience. They must be part of the solution. Ignoring these areas will not only result in lost habitat for hundreds of species, but also compromise our own survival by destroying the ecosystems that sustain life where 80 per cent of the population lives. So what can be done? Now more than ever, it is essential that we create interconnected "nature networks" where we live: networks of ecological corridors, protected areas, and regenerated landscapes glued together through preservation. Janet Sumner is the executive director of Wildlands League. Photograph courtesy of the Wildlands League Our vision at The Wildlands League is to realize an interconnected web of greenspace (or nature networks) not dominated by buildings, pavements, or gravel pits. These networks would include ecological corridors for safe crossings of roads and railways so plants and animals can safely “commute” to and from larger havens of protected habitat. And we have many regions ready to be connected. For example, right now in Ontario's Greater Golden Horseshoe, many of these nature pieces already exist and could easily be amalgamated into a network of greenspace. From Cootes to the Escarpment in the west, across the top of the GTA through the Greenbelt, reaching up to the shores of Georgian Bay and then descending to an expanded Rouge National Urban Park in the east, many pieces of a puzzle are already there. And while each piece in isolation is important, combined they offer much greater resilience to biodiversity loss and climate change. Nature cannot exist in isolation. Protection and natural passageways are essential to allow flora and fauna to migrate, to enable them to find food, mates, and shelter, as well as to adapt in response to climate change. These areas don’t all need to be legally protected by provincial or national parks, although that is one way to achieve this. They can also be green infrastructure corridors or designated protected areas in city plans (like the designated environmentally sensitive areas in London, Ont.). They can be agricultural lands where farmers steward species habitat, or private lands with conservation easements. They can also be national urban parks like the Rouge, or the 15 additional urban parks Parks Canada is about to create within cities across the country. Prioritizing the creation of nature networks in our cities and near urban areas is the only path to recovering our most at-risk species and enhancing natural solutions to climate change that will leave a rich legacy for all our children while assisting with reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. On Oct. 25, more than a dozen organizations brought their practical solutions on how to create nature networks to the Hill, meeting with MPs from across the country. They shared their success stories, with examples from projects that are flourishing across the country, from Edmonton to Halifax and Gatineau to Windsor. Each of us in every city across the country can help address the extinction crisis by supporting more nature in our cities. Your children will thank you. Janet Sumner is the executive director of Wildlands League and has more than 30 years’ experience working as an environmental leader. In 2017, she was appointed co-chair of the national advisory panel with a mandate to provide recommendations on how to protect 17 per cent of Canada’s terrestrial lands and inland waters by 2020. In 2019, she was appointed the special representative on Nature for Canada. The Hill Times

Nature networks in urban areas can play key role in federal plan to preserve biodiversity

Ignoring these areas will not only result in lost habitat for hundreds of species, but also compromise our own survival by destroying the ecosystems that sustain life where 80 per cent of the population lives.

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Nature networks in urban areas can play key role in federal plan to preserve biodiversity

Ignoring these areas will not only result in lost habitat for hundreds of species, but also compromise our own survival by destroying the ecosystems that sustain life where 80 per cent of the population lives.

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