WINNIPEG, MB – Conserving and restoring nature is fundamental for capturing harmful greenhouse gas emissions by pulling more carbon dioxide out of the air, while also safeguarding the places and species that are part of who we are as Canadians. The Government of Canada has launched the largest conservation campaign in the country’s history in order to meet its emissions reduction targets and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030. The government of Canada announced over $11 million for two major greenhouse gas emissions reduction projects funded through the Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund. These projects will aim to fight climate change in Manitoba while benefiting biodiversity by safeguarding carbon-rich ecosystems from destruction to keep carbon in the ground… Canada is investing heavily in nature-based climate solutions that restore degraded ecosystems, create new protected areas, improve land management practices, and plant two billion new trees. 

The Fur-Bearers, a B.C.-based wildlife charity says it continues to be concerned about the number of black bears killed by conservation officers in the province. Last year 603 black bears were put down, according to data obtained by the Fur-Bearers through a Freedom of Information request. That’s 68 more than the annual average of 535 since 2015, when the Fur-Bearers began tracking the numbers. Executive director, Lesley Fox, said part of the sudden jump may be attributable to 2023’s record-breaking wildfire season, which would have displaced wildlife and possibly reduced their natural food sources, sending them to urban areas to look for alternatives. There, attractants are a constant issue … increasing the likelihood of some kind of conflict or the bear become too habituated. If the BC Conservation Officer Service then determines the bear poses some kind of threat to public safety, it may decide to put it down.

British Columbia’s deputy chief forester has set the new allowable annual cut (AAC) level for Tree Farm Licence 3 (TFL) located north of Castlegar. The new AAC for the TFL is 56,100 cubic metres. This is a 30% reduction from the previous AAC, while remaining in line with the average harvest level in the past 12 years. The new level reflects adjustments made to account for lower harvest performance on slopes greater than 50%. New AAC levels have also been set for Tree Farm Licence 23 (TFL), located northwest of Castlegar, near Arrow Lake. The new AAC for the TFL is 382,800 cubic metres. This is a 7% reduction from the previous AAC, while remaining above the average annual harvest level of the past 12 years. The Province and First Nations have worked with industry to defer harvest of at-risk old-growth forest while work progresses on long-term approaches to old-growth management in the Kootenay-Boundary region. [Tree Frog has combined two government press releases into this single story – links to each are provided in the text above]

Steven Guilbeault

The federal government is spending $89 million to fund 10 greenhouse gas emission reduction projects as the government works toward the goal of conserving 30 per cent of the country’s land and water by 2030. Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault made the announcement in British Columbia on Thursday, where he said the “evidence of climate change is striking,” referencing extreme weather events including flooding, drought and “devastating” wildfire seasons. “With the goal of reversing biodiversity loss across the country, bit by bit, we’re getting there, protecting prime lands and waters that serve up some of the most important habitats for imperilled species.” He added that the projects are also aiding in the fight against climate change. Guilbeault said about $50 million of the funding is slated for major projects in the province. …Other projects being funded through the federal Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund will take place in Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Ontario, and Quebec.

In late June, British Columbia and the federal government announced that they’ve helped non-profit foundations and trusts buy eight parcels of land from private owners for old-growth conservation, largely on and around Vancouver Island. But all but one of the forests included in this purchase announcement do not contain old-growth trees defined by the B.C. government. …Instead, seven of the eight purchased properties contain what’s called “recruitment” old-growth — that is, forests that have been logged. For Torrance Coste (Wilderness Committee) buying these lands to protect them from future threats of logging and development is important, both ecologically and for reconciliation. But it’s dishonest to announce this as a win, particularly as old-growth logging continues. A spokesperson for the B.C. Ministry said… “These recruitment old growth trees are technically second growth [are] important because “they are expected to develop old forest characteristics sooner than other second growth forests.”