Back in February 2019, we launched our Biodiversity Action Agenda, which captured the collective insights of a four-part national conversation series on biodiversity conservation. The agenda set out a bold path for protecting biodiversity, outlining recommendations for strategies and plans, public engagement, policy, and political leadership.

Canadian ecology is a vital component of our culture, heritage, economy, our future, and is of global importance. Unfortunately, it often seems as though many Canadians, and people globally, tend to overlook the remarkable biodiversity and ecological richness that Canada possesses. Our forest, wetland, prairie, tundra, and ocean ecosystems provide us with essential services that we depend on to survive. In fact, Canada is home to approximately 30% of the world’s boreal forest, 20% of its freshwater resources, the longest coastline on Earth, and one of the largest marine territories. This is both a privilege and a profound responsibility.

Back in February 2019, we launched our Biodiversity Action Agenda, which captured the collective insights of a four-part national conversation series on biodiversity conservation, bringing together expert voices from across Canada. The agenda set out a bold path for protecting biodiversity outlining recommendations for strategies and plans, public engagement, policy, and political leadership.

As we enter a new school year and head into the fall – a season of transformation and renewal marked by visible change in nature – it’s time to revisit this work. With updated science, such as the WWF’s 2024 Living Planet Report revealing an average 73% decline in wildlife populations since 1970, the issues raised then are even more urgent than ever.

Why biodiversity recovery can’t wait

The biodiversity crisis is unlike any other social or environmental challenge. While climate change is a defining threat of our time, some experts argue that biodiversity loss is even more immediate. There is no recovery from extinction; once a species is gone, it is gone forever. These impacts are far reaching and are already being felt in ecosystems and communities across the country. This is why we must continue to call on decision-makers to act immediately and boldly. The Biodiversity Action Agenda outlines both incremental “low-hanging fruit” solutions, as well as deeper, longer term systemic changes needed to halt and reverse biodiversity loss.

What does the Action Agenda calls for? 

The agenda is built on a series of key themes:

Reconciliation, connection, and collaboration – Reclaiming our relationship with the land and placing Indigenous leadership and knowledge central to conservation.

(Re)framing biodiversity – Moving beyond technical definitions to emphasize the cultural, economic, and emotional connections between people and nature.

(Re)design and integration – Embedding biodiversity recovery into the design of policies  as well as landscapes and communities, with connectivity as a guiding principle.

Strategic partnerships and cross-sectoral implementation – Enhancing collaborative efforts for collective action between governments, NGOs, businesses, civil society, and locally in communities.

Looking ahead

The action agenda is not a stagnant document; it is a ongoing roadmap with recommendations that remain a relevant starting point for conversations and decisions in 2025 and beyond.

We hope that Canadians, especially policymakers and leaders, revisit this agenda with us. The time to act to protect biodiversity is now, and it is not only about conserving Canada’s natural beauty, but also about safeguarding the web of ecological systems that sustain our health, our economy, and our future. 

This blog post is the first in a series of renewed communications efforts to bring these recommendations back to the forefront. Follow along on our blog and social media as we continue to revisit and explore these ideas further.

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