Bohemian Waxwings in Canada's boreal forest.
Credit: Valerie Courtois, Canadian Boreal Initiative
This year, the UN’s International Year of the Forests, provides us with an opportunity to take a step back and look more carefully at our relationship with forests. Hundreds of millions of people live in or directly rely on forests, while the remainder of us inevitably benefit from the resources and natural benefits forests provide.
So many of our magnificent forests have been degraded, dissected, and in some cases entirely destroyed. Species are going extinct at rates some argue to be at least 100 times higher than historical norms. The combination of habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change are likely to point us even further down an already ominous path.
However, there are some parts of the world where there is still hope. I recently wrote a guest column for National Geographic highlighting one of these sources of hope—Canada’s boreal forest—to show the world that if our hearts and minds are in the right place and we truly make it a high priority we can still get things right. While there are still plenty of challenges that lie ahead, Canada has taken some inspiring leaps forward over the past decade on forest conservation.
Palm Warbler in Canada's boreal forest.
Credit: Jeff Nadler
Here’s a short snippet to pique your interest:
“These bold approaches have put Canada in the forefront of forest conservation. Already since 2000, 130 million acres of Canada's boreal forest have received permanent or interim protected status…”
Believe me, that’s a lot of space for your favorite migrant and winter birds to raise their young!
Hope you will read on and check out the great maps too.
