In 2001, the NRTEE established a program to examine key challenges and opportunities for conservation. The goal of the program was to encourage all Canadians to undertake stewardship of the land and waters – publicly and privately owned – and to shape and support new tools that can be used to better conserve, restore and maintain the long-term health of ecosystems.

The result of extensive research and multistakeholder input, this report presents 20 recommendations aimed at furthering conservation in Canada. The National Round Table is calling for federal action in five key areas: conservation planning for whole landscapes; partnerships with industry on working landscapes; community stewardship; conservation of marine ecosystems; and implementing a national framework for action.

Foreword

The National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (Round Table) established the Conservation of Natural Heritage Program to encourage Canadians at all levels to undertake stewardship of the land and waters—publicly and privately owned—and to shape and support new tools that can be used to better conserve, restore and maintain the long-term health of ecosystems.

The impetus for this program stemmed largely from the findings of the Round Table’s Millennium Program, which outlined several key challenges and opportunities for Canada with respect to nature conservation. The Conservation of Natural Heritage program marked the first time that the Round Table focused directly on the importance and implications of nature conservation for Canadian society as a whole. It is the intention of the Round Table to continue to relate these findings to issues where social and economic factors impinge on Canada’s natural heritage.

As Chair of the Round Table, I am therefore pleased to introduce this State of the Debate report, which details the program’s findings. The report is based on the work of a multistakeholder process, which brought together representatives from governments, industry, local communities, Aboriginal peoples, NGOs, and the agricultural sector to examine the state of conservation in Canada today.

The report outlines key challenges and opportunities for conservation, and presents a set of recommendations that, if applied, will position Canada as a global leader in conservation by 2010.

Harvey L. Mead
Chair

Table of Contents

Task Force Members

Executive Summary

Summary of Recommendations

The Round Table's Vision for Conservation

1. INTRODUCTION

2. THE GROWING ECONOMIC CASE FOR CONSERVATION

3. THE STATE OF CONSERVATION IN CANADA

4. EVALUATING PROGRESS TO DATE

5. KEY BARRIERS TO PROGRESS

6. CONSERVATION PLANNING FOR WHOLE LANDSCAPES

7. WORKING WITH INDUSTRY TO PROMOTE WHOLE-LANDSCAPE APPROACHES

8. COMMUNITY STEWARDSHIP

9. CONSERVATION OF MARINE ECOSYSTEMS

10. IMPLEMENTING A NATIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR ACTION

11. THE WAY FORWARD

APPENDICES

Appendix A: Glossary of Selected Terms
Appendix B: Program Participants
Appendix C: Acknowledgements, Photo Credits, Endnotes

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Securing Canada's Natural Capital: A Vision for Nature Conservation in the 21st Century

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