Blogs

Proposed marine protected areas a diverse collection of 12 sites

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...

Sonoran family voluntary protects land in Mexico as haven for wildlife

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...

Why “interconnected” is important

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...

Nature News: Marine protection goes large

Posted in Library, News & Publications on 05/31/11

As the creation of giant reserves gains momentum, some fear such areas don't always conserve the habitats most in need. The past five years has seen a spurt in the creation of giant marine protection areas, including a 320,000 sq km marine reserve announced earlier this month in Australia. "Now we have a competition for politicians to see who can have the biggest one," said Daniel Pauly of the University...

Quebec’s Protected Areas Strategic Plan

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 >

Nature Needs Half in the Economist

Posted in Blog, Library, News & Publications, Papers & Publications on 05/25/11

Boreal blues - In the frigid north tension grows between conservation and development CANADA’S vast boreal zone contains the world’s largest intact old-growth forest and has more fresh water than the Amazon. Its flora help to slow climate change and it is a breeding ground for 3 billion migratory songbirds. Only 12% of the region is now formally protected, well below the 50% scientists say is necessary to save its...

A New Climate for Conservation: Nature, Carbon and Climate in British Columbia

Posted in Library, News & Publications on 04/18/11

A New Climate for Conservation: Nature, Carbon and Climate Change in British Columbia (Dr. Jim Pojar) explores the role of nature conservation in a climate action strategy for ecological adaptation (Part 1) and ecological mitigation (Part 2), with the key recommendation to develop a comprehensive and integrated Nature Conservation and Climate Action Strategy for the Province of British Columbia (Part 3): Part 1 presents available science on current climate-change projections,...

Reserves: How Much Is Enough and How Do We Get There From Here?

Posted in Blog, Library, News & Publications on 04/13/11

(Essay) Reserves: How Much Is Enough and How Do We Get There From Here? By John Terborgh, Duke University Is the human species doing enough to conserve the rest of the world’s species for posterity? If not, then how much is enough? This is a key question, and opinions about the correct answer vary widely. An industry spokesperson is likely to ask, “Don’t they (the conservationists) have enough already?” “How...

Rethinking Global Biodiversity Strategies

Posted in Library, News & Publications on 04/12/11

Summary ‘Rethinking Global Biodiversity Strategies’ Exploring structural changes in production and consumption to reduce biodiversity loss Improving prospects for future global biodiversity requires rethinking the strategic orientation from common policies and measures towards structural changes in production and consumption of goods and services. Significant and lasting improvements in the downward biodiversity trend will have to come from changes in human activities including agriculture, forestry, fishing, and energy use. Enhanced ‘eco-efficiency’...

Conservation, bringing countries together

Posted in Blog, News & Publications on 04/12/11

Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Slovenia and Serbia have come together to protect about 800,000 ha of floodplains along their shared boundaries. The Mura, Drava and Danube rivers, rich in biodiversity and cultural heritage, are known as ‘Europe’s Amazon,’ and are now being protected from potentially harmful sand dredging and dam development. This landmark cooperative decision represents the best of Nature Needs Half’s goals, as it has paved the way for the...