WCC 2016 Res 031 - Progress Report

Only two activity reports were submitted and these convey some of the richness of the actions taken by members:

Parcs Canada:
Parks Canada and related agencies indicated that Parks Canada is contributing the time of two staff and additional resources to help lead the development of #NatureForAll. Through the joint IUCN-WCPA and IUCN-CEC task force, they have helped to build a coalition of over 375 partners who are advancing the #NatureForAll movement through activities such as sharing of success stories, developing toolkits to connect new audiences with nature, videos and other resources in multiple languages. Parks Canada continues to develop and expand programs that connect people with nature and contribute to the achievement of #NatureForAll, such as Learn to Camp, Campus Clubs and XPlorers, in addition to offering free access to its places for all children under 18

Parks Canada is delivering almost 1,000 infrastructure projects across the country that will maintain, restore and improve the existing contemporary and heritage assets under Parks Canada’s care. Parks Canada is also developing a long-term plan to ensure the effective management and ongoing sustainability of its infrastructure portfolio.

In 2019, Thaidene Nëné was established as Canada’s newest national park reserve. 14,000 square kilometres of wilderness protected through partnerships between Parks Canada, the Government of the Northwest Territories, the Łutsël K’e Dene First Nation, and the Northwest Territory Métis Nation, and with the Deninu K’ue First Nation, and with the Yellowknives Dene First Nation. Working in partnership to protect Thaidene Nëné reflects the Government of Canada’s commitment to reconciliation and renewed relationships with Indigenous peoples, based on a recognition of rights, respect, and co-operation.

In 2019, Parks Canada completed the first ever management plan for Rouge National Urban Park and added lands from the City of Pickering as well as the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority – a major step forward in the completion of the Rouge National Urban Park. The park’s natural and cultural diversity and urban setting pose opportunities and challenges never before encountered in any other place under Parks Canada’s protection. Located within Canada’s most culturally diverse metropolitan area, the park is well situated to meaningfully reach youth, newcomers and Canada’s increasingly urban population. The park offers tremendous potential to both deliver on and showcase Parks Canada’s priorities to protect and restore natural areas, ensuring ecological integrity is the first priority in park management; to enable people to discover and connect with Canada’s heritage areas; and to sustain the value of protected areas in fighting climate change, protecting species at risk and generating tourism and economic opportunity.
In Budget 2018, $1.3 billion in federal government funding was announced for nature conservation in Canada, known as A Nature Legacy for Canada. Through this significant investment, Parks Canada received $221 million over 5 years to support the implementation of Canada’s Nature Legacy, which will change the way conservation is implemented in Canada by improving the integration of national parks with the broader landscape and the use of science and knowledge to inform conservation decision-making. This funding will also contribute to the conservation of species at risk by using multi-species and ecosystem-based strategies.
The Government of Canada and the Qikiqtani Inuit Association recently signed an Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement (IIBA) required for the establishment of Tallurutiup Imanga National Marine Conservation Area (NMCA). Tallurutiup Imanga is an area rich in biodiversity and used by Inuit since time immemorial. At approximately 108,000 square kilometres, the NMCA is a significant contribution towards Canada’s target of protecting 10 percent of its marine and coastal areas by 2020. Inuit Qauijimajatuqangit (traditional knowledge) will inform future decision making for the management and protection of the NMCA .

Government of Australia: Dept of Environment:
Parks Australia partnered with global tech giant Google to showcase the walking trails and spectacular vistas of Uluru-Kata Tjuta, Kakadu and Christmas Island National Parks, and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands to a global audience. It is estimated the media coverage reached a global audience over 35 million people, and the Street View site still has the footage.

In partnership with the Australian National University, Rewilding Australia, Taronga Zoo, WWF, Sanctuaries and Community eastern quolls were released into Booderee National Park in March 2018. Traditional owners have an important role in this program and it has provided opportunities for employment and training of young indigenous staff in technical field skills including animal tracking and handling, radio tracking of introduced mammals and management of feral species.

The significant decision to close the Uluru climb on 26 October 2019 represents the fulfilment of the long-held wishes of Anangu, the traditional owners of Uluru-Kata Tjuta. The date for closing the climb, 26 October, is significant to Anangu as it was on this date in 1985 that the park was handed back to them. The closure of the climb is an opportunity to create new visitor experiences based on cultural and natural values, and to set a new direction and future for the park. This aligns with the Board’s vision that Uluru–Kata Tjuta is a place where Anangu law and culture is kept strong for future generations.

Australia’s National Representative System of Marine Protected Areas covers around 3.3 million square kilometres or 37 per cent of Australia’s marine jurisdiction. The Australian Government’s Director of National Parks manages around 2.8 million square kilometres of this system in 58 Australian Marine Parks. The area of marine parks managed under management plans by the Director increased six-fold on 1 July 2018.