Aquatic Habitat Canada partnership announced in celebration of Environment Week and Rivers to Oceans Week

Aquatic Habitat Canada partnership announced in celebration of Environment Week and Rivers to Oceans 

A national network for aquatic habitat protection and restoration is being created to help governments, local communities, Indigenous organizations, industry stakeholders and conservation organizations more effectively protect and restore healthy and resilient aquatic ecosystems.

“Numerous organizations, communities and individuals are conducting valuable research, engaging in stewardship, and providing rigorous, evidence-based policy advice and recommendations to governments and industry to better protect aquatic habitat,” said Rick Bates, CEO of the Canadian Wildlife Federation. “The purpose of the national Aquatic Habitat Canada partnership is to leverage and enhance these regulatory and stewardship efforts to achieve watershed-level conservation outcomes for fish and other aquatic wildlife. This co-operative approach will help ensure a future with abundant, high-quality habitat and thriving fish and wildlife populations along our coastlines and in our lakes, rivers, and wetlands.”

Aquatic Habitat Canada’s work will be delivered under four core themes:

• Restoration Planning and Prioritization
• Resources and Capacity-Building
• Knowledge Synthesis and Transfer
• Policy and Program

Funding has been provided by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Canadian Wildlife Federation to create the partnership.

The partnership Design Team includes the following groups:

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada
• Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
• Pacific Salmon Foundation
• BC Wildlife Federation
• Canadian Electricity Association
• Plenty Canada
• Canadian Wildlife Federation

Organizations that wish to join Aquatic Habitat Canada should email pierres@aquatichabitat.ca for more information.

This partnership is being announced in celebration of Canadian Environment Week, which includes World Environment Day June 5. This campaign flows into Rivers to Oceans Week, which includes Oceans Day, June 8, and Canadian Rivers Day June 9.

“We know that world wide, biodiversity is on the decline. That is why our government is proud to be working with our partners at the Canadian Wildlife Federation to protect and restore critical ecosystems that supports fish and plant life. By creating this vast network of scientists, researchers and experts, we are facilitating collaboration that will result in more efficient results for our natural environment. I look forward to the outcomes of the projects, and the benefits that it will bring marine and fresh water ecosystems,” said the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson.

To learn more, visit AquaticHabitat.ca