Preserving woodland caribou could have far-reaching beneficial impacts.
Credit: Howard Sandler.
Last week I wrote about the important policy briefing paper I coauthored along with the International Boreal Conservation Science Panel and some of the world’s most notable caribou experts. I thought I would provide a short follow-up and say that the paper received a great response from both government and media.
The paper, Keeping woodland caribou in the boreal forest: Big challenge, immense opportunity, aimed to clarify what the leading causes of their decline are—of which there has been confusion in the past—and to provide an overarching model for what needs to be done to give them the best chance at survival. Woodland caribou are an indicator species, meaning that when they are healthy and thriving usually so too is their surrounding habitat. Conserving this species over the long term would have far-reaching positive impacts on a wide range of other plants and wildlife.
In particular, there are hundreds of bird species that breed and migrate through woodland caribou habitat in Canada’s boreal, including everything from songbirds and other landbirds to shorebirds, waterfowl and raptors. The list also includes some of North America’s at-risk migrants, including Bay-breasted Warbler, Rusty Blackbird, and Olive-sided Flycatcher. These birds have much to gain from bolstered protection of caribou habitat as it would assure they have healthy breeding habitat where they can raise their young each summer.
The Bay-breasted Warbler, in decline, would benefit from increased caribou habitat protection.
Credit: Jeff Nadler.
The briefing paper was sent to federal and key provincial governments accompanied by a letter addressing specific concerns for how caribou are being managed, giving praise where it’s due and offering constructive criticism where more attention is needed. Overall the letters and briefing document were well received by both government and media, including some stories that addressed more regional concerns.
You can find the full briefing paper and letters at the below link, and under that are some of the good stories that appeared in news the following day.
Full brief and letters:
http://www.borealcanada.ca/pr/07-13-2011-e.php
National Articles:
Globe and Mail >
Canada.com network > (Reprinted in numerous Canadian newspapers)
Reuters >
Regional Articles:
Toronto Star > (Ontario)
Vancouver Sun > (British Columbia)
Winnipeg Free Press > (Manitoba)
