More action for biodiversity in Canada
2 June 2009, Nova Scotia (Canada) – The Nova Scotia Nature Trust is at the forefront of biodiversity conservation in Nova Scotia, but has now pushed that bar higher. In recognition of International Day for Biological Diversity (May 22), the Nature Trust has taken a pledge to increase their efforts to reduce biodiversity loss in Nova Scotia by signing Countdown 2010 Declaration.
The year 2010 is significant as it is the deadline under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity to “achieve a significant reduction of the current rate of biodiversity loss”. Canada is a signatory to this UN treaty, and the hard work of reducing biodiversity loss is carried out by many groups in Canada, including governments, individuals, and conservation organizations.
The native biodiversity of Nova Scotia is being lost. Many of the province’s natural landscapes types have been almost entirely lost. In Nova Scotia, 33 species have been listed as œprovincially at risk, so far. These include some of species iconic of wilderness, including the mainland moose, the Canada lynx, and the Peregrine falcon.
The Nova Scotia Nature Trust is a non-profit, charitable land trust, with a focus on nature conservation, including Nova Scotia’s native biodiversity. Since 1994, the Nature Trust has protected over 4,000 acres of wildlife habitat on 34 properties across the province. Focal areas for the Nature Trust includes coastal properties, threatened ecosystems (such as old-growth riparian forest along the St. Mary’s River), and species at risk (such as Blanding’s turtle and Eastern ribbon snake). Within the Countdown 2010 pledge, the Nature Trust committed to protect even more properties of outstanding conservation value from development through its land securement program; improve and extend their land stewardship and educational outreach by working with communities and partner organizations; and continue their quest to preserve the Province’s globally important coastal habitats.
