Quetico Provincial Park © Noah Cole
The Issue
In 2022, as a party to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, Canada committed to protecting 30 percent of its lands and waters by 2030. The “30 by 30” target reflects the urgent need to make peace with nature and stem the accelerating loss of biodiversity worldwide.
The Government of Ontario has yet to adopt the 30 by 30 target, as recommended by its Protected Areas Working Group. Currently, less than 11 percent of Ontario is protected. We can and must do better.
We are calling on all political leaders to embrace the new target and commit to working together to protect our lands and waters for generations to come, in the spirit and practice of reconciliation.
Sydenham River Nature Reserve © David Coulson
Why It Matters
Protected places provide safe havens for wildlife, increase our resilience to climate change, can sustain and strengthen Indigenous knowledge and value systems and much more.
Watch our videos: Indigenous Perspectives on Protected Areas, Transforming Conservation: Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas in Ontario and Protected Areas and Climate Action in Ontario: A Cross Cultural dialogue
Featured are highlights from three gatherings with members of Indigenous communities, researchers, and representatives of conservation organizations and government agencies. We came together to explore approaches to decolonizing conservation and establishing protected areas that honour Indigenous responsibilities, rights and interests.
Nottawasaga River, Wasaga Beach Provincial Park © Noah Cole
What We Are Doing
Ontario Nature has a long record of getting millions of hectares of wild spaces protected throughout the province. We aim to ensure that Ontario meets the 30 x 30 target. To that end we are:
- Raising awareness and advocating for the 30 by 30 target.
- Working to build strong alliances with our Nature Network member groups, Indigenous partners, industry leaders, and conservation organizations.
- Partnering with municipalities and conservation authorities to support contributions to the 30 by 30 target and protect near-urban nature.
- Advocating to ensure ecological integrity is maintained and restored in Ontario’s provincial parks and conservation reserves.
- Conducting research to build the case for protected areas.
- Managing our 26 nature reserves to a high standard so that they count towards Canada’s protected areas target.
Mer Bleue Conservation Area © Robbie
What You Can Do
- Sign our action alert.
- Donate to support protected areas in Ontario.
- Learn more about Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas and the Land Back movement.
- Explore the Your Protected Places Story Map.
- Read our report about the potential contribution of Forest Stewardship Council candidate protected places to Ontario’s protection targets.
- Read articles about a selection of candidate protected areas covered in ON Nature magazine.
Caroline Schultz's Protected Places Campaign Presentation © Noah Cole
The Protected Places Campaign is generously supported by:
