Protected Parks, Safeguard Species
In December, we witnessed the historic signing of the Kunming-Montreal Agreement at COP15, where Canada committed to halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030. This commitment includes protecting at least 30% of land and ocean.
Protecting biodiversity is crucial as climate change and biodiversity loss go hand in hand. Each crisis exacerbates the other. While climate change causes entire species to go extinct, nature loss makes ecosystems more vulnerable to a changing climate.
Protected parks are an essential component to halting and reversing nature loss, while slowing the rate of species extinction. Parks across the Ottawa Valley provide homes for wildlife with space to feed and raise their families.
Species at risk in Gatineau Park
Gatineau Park is home to 90 endangered plant and 60 endangered animal species, including the least bittern, American ginseng, one of Quebec’s largest populations of wild leek, and the rare juniper hairstreak butterfly.
Gatineau Park is found in a transition zone between the Boreal Forest of the Canadian Shield to the north and the eastern temperate forest of the St. Lawrence Lowlands to the south. This means animals in one or the other zone both depend on Gatineau Park for survival.
How urbanization and development impacts people and species
But urbanization and development threaten the species at risk calling Gatineau Park home.
Plus, there is currently no adequate land-use strategy for the surrounding lands and buffer zone between Gatineau Park and adjacent development areas.
The result?
Development takes place right next to the park boundary, so species avoid the outer edges due to habitat fragmentation and human presence. The park’s value to species shrinks and larger animals, such as moose, are forced to enter suburban Gatineau, risking their own and community members’ safety.
Reducing habitat fragmentation supports climate action
Reducing harm caused by human activity, such as urbanization, construction development, and habitat fragmentation in and around Gatineau Park, reduces pressure on the park’s ecosystem and contributes to climate action.
One large tree can absorb up to 150 kg of carbon dioxide a year. An intact forest as expansive as Gatineau Park would play a critical role in mitigating greenhouse gasses and reducing air pollution.
How you can make this a reality
In March, Pontiac Member of Parliament, Sophie Chatel, rose in the House of Commons to present our petition calling on the federal government to grant Gatineau Park legislative protection, which includes boundaries set in an Act of Parliament.
Tell the government you want better protections for Gatineau Park – for species at risk and for climate action.