CEO Andy Day appointed to new National Expert Taskforce on Financing Conservation, Restoration, and Sustainable Use of Nature

At home, Canadian’s economy, climate, health, and identity rely heavily on nature. But Canada is also one of the most important countries in the world when it comes to natural systems.

“Our country contains 20 per cent of the world's fresh water, 25 per cent of global wetlands, nearly 28 per cent of the earth’s boreal zone (including the world’s largest intact forest), 25 per cent of coastal temperate rainforests, and habitat for approximately 80,000 species,” says Dr. Day. “Canada is one of five countries that, together, host 70 per cent of the world’s remaining unroaded wilderness areas. In other words, Canada should and can lead the world.”

With so much at stake at home and abroad, Canada’s approach to conservation, restoration, and sustainable use is in the spotlight.

That’s why Canada has announced an Expert Taskforce to develop recommendations on new ways to finance and account for the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of nature. Finance and accounting was named as the third pillar of the Government of Canada’s Force of Nature: Canada’s Strategy to Protect Nature, released earlier this year.

“Canada has an extraordinary opportunity—and imperative—to show the world that we value the community of life we are a part of,” says Day. “In British Columbia, we’ve seen what can happen when governments, Indigenous Peoples, communities, donors, businesses, and conservation organizations work together with the ambition to do something big. I’m excited to bring what we’ve learned to this national conversation and help find new ways to bring more investment, and more people, into protecting nature.”

"Canada’s forests, wetlands, grasslands, coastlines, and other natural areas ecosystems are part of the community life on earth,” says Day. “And so are we. Our national identity, lives, and economy are all intertwined with nature. The community of life we are a part of supports life by providing clean air and water, food, recreation and health, and homes for wildlife. It also safeguards communities and infrastructure from floods, drought, and other impacts of global warming. What could be more important and valuable than all of that? How can we become part of that support system, rather than undermining it?"

To reflect the many values of nature in our lives, the Taskforce has been established to provide independent expert advice to the Government of Canada on ways to better measure, value, and account for it.  It will explore financial tools that could attract more investment toward conservation, restoration, and sustainable use.

Over the coming months, the Taskforce will engage with organizations and experts from a range of sectors and consult with Indigenous peoples before developing recommendations for the federal government.

“Canada has some of the most incredible natural landscapes in the world,” says Day. "If we can build new ways to recognize their value and give more people a way to participate in conserving, restoring and using them sustainably, the potential is enormous. I would like to see our Taskforce propose practical solutions that are adopted at home and around the world.  That make a real difference to the community of life.”

See what’s possible when people come together to invest in nature. The BC Conservation Fund brings together public and private support to help advance Indigenous-led conservation and stewardship across British Columbia. Explore the BC Conservation Fund.