Goals and Strategic Priorities for Biodiversity Conservation
Conservation of biodiversity is a central function of a biosphere region, with a view to making a significant contribution to the conservation of landscapes, ecosystems, species and genetic variation, both within the biosphere region and beyond its boundaries. As stated in the UNESCO nomination document:
“The AHSUBR initiative is motivated by the need to protect and conserve biodiversity in the region and support Canada’s commitment to the Aichi targets. Current and future protected areas are to be safeguarded from the pressures of human activities that could erode their values to biodiversity. Strengthening protection for species’ habitats starts with educating about the ecosystem values and working together to protect those values. Strengthening effective management of the protected areas is a goal for preserving these spaces for future generations. HSBRIS supports projects that…stem further loss of biodiversity and help fill in the gaps where more work needs to be done. ” (HSBRIS, 2020).
Click on the + next to the Goals to read the Strategic Priorities
+ 1. Átl’ḵa7tsem/Howe Sound Biosphere Region Roundtable provides strategic guidance, and facilitates collaboration among stakeholders and rightsholders, to halt and reverse biodiversity loss in Átl’ḵa7tsem/Howe Sound and facilitate the ongoing renewal and recovery of its marine and terrestrial ecosystems.
1.1 In collaboration with the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw, integrate Indigenous knowledge into decision-making.
1.2 Identify and publicize high priority species and sensitive habitats for key terrestrial and marine environments.
1.3 Collaborate with land and marine management agencies at the federal and provincial levels to elevate the importance of these key species and habitats in land and marine use planning.
1.4. Encourage the Government of Canada to complete assessments of federally listed species (such as the grizzly bear, salmon or eulachon) to enable the development of recovery strategies that resource managers can use to incorporate solutions into their short- and long-term planning.
1.5. Collaborate with local and regional governments in their community planning and bylaw development to place priority on mitigating impacts on key species from community and infrastructure development.
+ 2. Pursue the conservation of biological diversity throughout Átl’ḵa7tsem/Howe Sound, with priority given to the conservation of 1) representative ecosystems – the full range of marine, terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity; 2) species of national and international significance; and 3) species documented as rare, endangered, at-risk or culturally significant.
2.1. Assess the extent to which the existing system of protected areas in AHSUBR is representative of the biogeoclimatic zones that characterize the heavily forested slopes of the Coast Mountains, including the Mountain Hemlock (MH) and Coastal Western Hemlock (CWH) zones and also including the Alpine Tundra (AT) zone.
2.2 Identify and map the remaining areas in the Very Dry Maritime subzone of the CWH forest (CWHxm1), a recognized conservation priority in the Coastal Douglasfir and Associated Ecosystems Conservation Partnership (CDFCP), and assess the potential for its increased protection, as has recently occurred at Cape Roger Curtis on Bowen Island.
2.3. Ensure that species of national and international interest, such as the hexactinellid/glass sponges and the bald eagle congregations by the Squamish River, receive the necessary level of recognition and habitat protection to ensure their long-term survival.
2.4. Ensure the species documented as rare, endangered and at-risk receive the necessary level of recognition and habitat protection to ensure their long-term survival.
2.5. Ensure a focus on species whose life cycles span the terrestrial and marine environments, such as the Marbled Murrelet, and facilitate the required multijurisdictional collaboration and special considerations in development and recovery planning.
2.6. Ensure a focus on culturally significant species, which are often also foundation species, that are key in structuring the biodiversity of ecosystems in the region.
+ 3. Implement the Canada Nature Legacy targets in Átl’ḵa7tsem/Howe Sound to protect at least 25% of land, freshwater and ocean ecosystems by 2025 and 30% by 2030.
3.1 Conduct a Gap Analysis of existing marine and terrestrial protected area systems to identify gaps in the area, extent and level of protection for all representative ecosystems, species and habitats.
3.2. Participate in the Government of Canada’s Ocean Management Contribution Program, part of Canada’s Nature Legacy, to improve management effectiveness, establish new Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs), improve collaboration among all agents of governance, advance marine spatial planning and take a leadership role in international advocacy.
3.3 Assess the range of non-protected area land and marine resource use categories that contribute to conservation, restoration and connectivity, and their ability to meet the international guidance and standards needed to qualify as OECMs.
3.4 In collaboration with the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw, assess Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs) as a modern tool for creating new Indigenous-led protected areas within and adjacent to AHSUBR.
3.5 Identify and map candidate areas for OECMs and IPCAs and facilitate collaboration among the agents of governance and stewardship groups to meaningfully contribute to conservation within candidate areas.
3.6 Participate in the Old Growth Nature Fund for BC to identify and work with the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw and the provincial government to protect the remaining stands of older and old growth forests, especially in the CWH and in particular, the CWHxm1.
3.7 Support Natural Climate Solutions Funded projects helping to reverse nature loss and fight climate change.
+ 4. Find innovative ways to balance the needs of man and nature and explore the application of the concept “Nature Needs Half” throughout Átl’ḵa7tsem/Howe Sound.
4.1 Assess the internationally recognized “Nature Needs Half” concept and consider the potential of AHSUBR to be considered among the few candidates globally to aspire to this idea.
4.2. Apply conservation science to determine what nature’s needs are in AHSUBR,given that 33%* of AHSUBR lands and approximately 3%* of its marine environments are in protected and conserved areas within the biosphere region’s Core Areas and Buffer Zones. *Percentages acquired from CPCAD
4.3 Develop ways and means of increasing involvement from a collaborative force of federal and provincial government enforcement staff, First Nations staff and a volunteer corps from a range of organizations and civil society to improve monitoring and enforcement capability throughout AHSUBR.
+ 5. Develop ways and means of increasing the involvement of a collaborative force of federal and provincial government enforcement staff, First Nations staff and a volunteer corps from a range of organizations and civil society to improve monitoring and enforcement capability throughout AHSUBR.
5.1 Support the establishment of the “Átl’ḵa7tsem/Howe Sound Guardian Watchmen”, a corps of First Nations’ volunteers and/or paid staff, supported by HSBRIS and the Coastal Guardian Watchmen of BC, to monitor resource use, activity and health; conduct ecological research; mentor youth; and protect cultural sites, among other roles, throughout their traditional territory in AHSUBR.
5.2 Facilitate and support the collaboration of the appropriate government agencies and non-government organizations with the Coastal Guardian Watchmen of BC program for an integrated approach to improved enforcement and monitoring and fight climate change.