It’s good to think about the positive things that might be ahead for us – not pie-in-the-sky hopes, but achievable aspirations that might have their roots established in 2022
So here are 10 things we hope 2022 brings for nature ...
A new coal policy for Alberta – one where the Eastern Slopes of the Rocky Mountains are recognized first and foremost for their role and value as southern Alberta’s irreplaceable headwaters.
A new organizational structure for the Saskatchewan watershed groups – one that allows them to more effectively and sustainably provide watershed stewardship programming across the province.
A new approach to counting protected and conserved areas in Canada – one that fully recognizes the importance and opportunity that privately-conserved lands represent for biodiversity conservation.
An improved approach to natural infrastructure accounting in municipalities – one that goes beyond just flood management, disregards calls for a single approach, and embraces the diversity of needs and natural systems in Canada’s municipalities.
A new method of identifying and planning for Environmentally Significant Areas – one that identifies dynamic regional Ecosystem Service Areas rather than just delineates sensitive fragments of nature.
A far-ranging adoption of the TNFD’s concept of “nature positive” – one where the concept becomes a driving force in how biodiversity is conceived and reported on in Canada’s corporate financial disclosures. (TFND = Taskforce on Natural-related Financial Disclosures).
A new commitment to wetland replacement in Alberta – one where the focus is on removing barriers to participation for interested municipalities.
An evolved set of natural-based climate policies - one that takes us beyond just trees and recognizes the vital role of Canada’s native grasses in ensuring climate resilience.
A reinvigoration of Alberta’s biodiversity management frameworks - with one for each planning region, then rolled together into a conservation and stewardship strategy for the province.
A string of fruitful partnerships for the Corvus Centre - ones that bring the right experts together to address fundamental conservation policy dilemmas.
And continued conservation success for all our partners – both known and soon-to-be known.
All the best for the new year!
Guy Greenaway
Executive Director