Photo: Tijana Martin The Canadian Press Canadian Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault (left) during an announcement at Whytecliff Park in West Vancouver on Thursday
The Canadian Press in Vancouver
Published yesterday at 9:36 p.m.
- Canada
As the government strives to meet the goal of conserving 30% of the country's land and water by 2030, Canada's Environment Minister announced federal funding of $89 million for ten projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Steven Guilbeault unveiled this plan in British Columbia, where he claims that “the evidence of climate change is striking,” referring to extreme weather events including floods, droughts, and “devastating” wildfire seasons.
“With the goal of reversing biodiversity loss across the country, we're doing it one step at a time, by protecting prime lands and waters that serve some of the most important habitats for endangered species,” a- he indicated.
The minister added that the projects will also contribute to the fight against climate change.
M. Guilbeault announced at the conference in West Vancouver that approximately $50 million in funding is planned for major projects in the province. He then pointed out that some projects had been in the works for some time and that this money had already been used.
“Often we work quietly with Indigenous organizations and nations behind the scenes, and then once the project is almost complete, we can make the announcement like we are doing this morning,” he said.
Funds already used include $37 million to the BC Parks Foundation, which it received through the Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund.
Andrew Day, CEO of the foundation, mentioned during the press conference that the project has “already protected” 30 places, totaling approximately 4,000 hectares of private grasslands, forests and wetlands on Vancouver Island, the southern interior and northern British Columbia.
Mr. Guilbeault indicated that this project also benefits several species at risk, such as coho salmon, great blue heron and other migratory birds.
It says the Nature Trust of British Columbia will receive $8 million to preserve 552 hectares of “carbon-rich ecosystems” and protect habitats, including grasslands, forests and wetlands, that are home to endangered species including the western toad, grizzly bears and southern mountain caribou.
“In addition, the project will result in the creation of 11 new protected areas including forest habitats , wetlands and grasslands on Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, in the East Kootenay and Cariboo regions,” detailed Mr. Guilbeault.
The Nuxalk Nation will also receive more than $4 million to protect land and animals in priority habitats, including the Great Bear Rainforest near Bella Coola.
Blair Mack, elected councilor of the Nuxalk Nation, called the decision “a small step, but an important step toward true reconciliation.”
“The Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund has given the Nuxalk Nation the opportunity to purchase culturally significant private lands and bring them back into the control of the Nation,” he said at the conference.
The federal government says more projects will be funded through the Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund. Announcements will take place in Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Ontario and Quebec.