Posted in Blog, News & Publications on 03/19/12
By: Vance G. Martin The first continental scale plan for ecological corridors has been produced in Australia, and is now out for comment. Members of The World Commission on Protected Areas of the IUCN were the driving force. Our colleagues at the Mountain Biome Working Group of WCPA have made further information available. Here is a brief overview from Penny Figgis, Regional CoChair of WCPA: The WCPA network played a...
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Posted in Blog, News & Publications on 08/24/11
Victoria, the capital of British Columbia Canada, is planning the management strategy for its regional parks and trails for the next ten years (2011-2020). Like many cities of its size, Victoria's plan consider natural and biological values, cultural heritage, recreation opportunities, population growth, climate change, etc. What is unique about this plan is its central focus on connectivity, ecosystem health an alignment with the Nature Needs Half vision. A brief...
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Posted in Blog, News & Publications on 08/11/11
"Protected areas are a valuable tool in the fight to preserve biodiversity. We need them to be well managed, and we need more of them, but they alone cannot solve our biodiversity problems," Camilo Mora of University of Hawaii at Mora. Dr. Mora and Dr. Peter F. Sale, Assistant Director of the United Nations University's Canadian-based Institute for Water, Environment and Health recently published an assessment in the 28 July 2011...
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Posted in Blog, Library, News & Publications on 07/7/11
The terminology of conservation can be confusing. Endless acronyms and very specific terms that only the 'specialists' can decode. For Nature Needs Half, we use the protected area categories as defined by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The IUCN categories define protected areas according to the management objectives, but don't always mesh with in-country or local definitions and terminology. There are many other terms to define important biodiversity...
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Posted in Blog, News & Publications on 07/5/11
During an official trip to New York City to promote Québec’s Northern Plan, Premier Charest addressed a gathering of 300 people, primarily from New York business and financial circles, at a luncheon conference organized by the Foreign Policy Association. “The Northern Plan is a vast economic development project—an example of sustainable development and a social model to be shared with the entire world. To benefit local communities and all Quebecers,...
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Posted in Blog, News & Publications on 06/27/11
Montreal, 27 June 2011— The Seychelles Government announced it will declare new protected areas in the archipelago, resulting in half (50.59%) of all Seychelles land becoming protected under the law. The Cabinet approved the designation of protected areas, which amounts to 15.72 km2 of land representing 3.53% of Seychelles land territory and totals 45,500 hectares (excluding reclaimed areas). Last year, the Silhouette National Park and the Recif Island Reserve were...
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Posted in Blog, News & Publications on 06/21/11
Just announced from the Province of Manitoba, Canada....(re-posted government press release) Province Permanently Designates Largest Area of Protected Land in more than a Decade - Asatiwisipe Aki Management Plan Approved: Blaikie The Manitoba government has legally designated 807,650 hectares of boreal forest and wetlands on the east side of Lake Winnipeg as protected traditional territory, Conservation Minister Bill Blaikie announced today. This new designation will increase Manitoba’s protected areas network to over 6.5 million...
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Posted in Blog, News & Publications on 06/20/11
Connections are everything, both in the human and natural worlds. A superb new wild connection was announced this week by Peace Parks Foundation (PPF) and the Government of Mozambique. The Futi Corridor is a historic wildlife migration route between South Africa and Mozambique, for which The WILD Foundation and many others working in the region have advocated for many years. The dream is now a reality. In a joint announcement...
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Posted in Blog, News & Publications on 06/9/11
What is a marine protected area? According to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans of Canada, it is a specific geographical space managed to achieve the long-term conservation of nature. Some of the MPA’s are fully marine, while others have terrestrial components. The DFO says that there are more than 700 MPA’s in Canada that cover about 56,000 square kilometers of the country’s oceans and Great Lakes. According to Sabine...
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Posted in Blog, News & Publications on 06/3/11
Conservation of natural lands couldn't happen without the support and passion of individuals. From government decision makers to grassroots advocates, passionate individuals fuel global conservation. Private conservation easements are one way in which individuals or families who own land can contribute to the Nature Needs Half vision. In basic terms, a conservation easement legally designates an area for conservation through partnership with government (municipal, county, state or federal) or a...
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Posted in Blog, Library, News & Publications on 06/2/11
Sarah Kuck recently wrote a great article for YES! Magazine about why wildlife needs room to roam and why connecting protected areas is important. She highlights issues such as global climate shifts, loss of natural predators and the need for conservation to include economic opportunities for local communities. Her dialog very clearly and concisely summarizes the need for large, protected areas that are interconnected - in essence, why Nature Needs...
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Posted in Blog, News & Publications on 05/27/11
On 18 May 2011, Quebec announced is Protected Areas strategic plan. The plan's targets include protecting 10% of marine areas and 12% of land area by 2015. This is a positive step towards a network of protected areas totally 50%. The Québec network of protected areas currently covers 8.35% of the province. Read the full plan >
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