The term conservation can conjure images of wild landscapes and untouched wilderness. Indeed, many conservation efforts focus on the most biologically diverse, largest, and most pristine spaces. In Canada, which houses 20% of the world’s freshwater, the world’s longest coastline, and second largest tract of intact forest, conserving expansive landscapes has global implications for both climate and biodiversity.
However, nature and the ecosystem services it provides (e.g., carbon sequestration, improved air and water quality) are essential in all landscapes, from those connected to dense populations to more remote settings. Recent initiatives, such as the creation of Rouge National Urban Park, have helped demonstrate how natural areas near large urban centers bring important benefits for ecosystems and communities.
People are an integral part of nature. Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs) are central to successful conservation and land management strategies at a national scale. This report considers how we can scale investments in nature, whether these investments support Indigenous stewardship, sustainable agricultural and forestry practices, or restoration in urban and peri-urban areas.
This report aims to promote broader understanding of the conservation finance landscape, showcase promising examples as well as key learnings from existing projects, highlight hurdles in the Canadian context, and identify opportunities to overcome challenges and expand the Canadian market. Despite the range of potential benefits to a broad set of stakeholders, conservation finance has been slow to emerge. In understanding why, we seek to provide pathways to overcome barriers and catalyze growth.
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