Biodiversity BC and its mission to develop a Biodiversity Action Plan grew out of the October 2004 announcement of a new partnership between government and non-government organizations (NGOs) called the B.C. Conservation Lands Forum. The Forum's biodiversity conservation mandate includes securing and improving the management of private and public lands as well as developing a comprehensive, science-based biodiversity action plan for BC. Click here [PDF 286KB] for a brochure that describes Biodiversity BC and the action plan process.
A Biodiversity BC steering committee was formed in 2005 to develop the Biodiversity Action Plan. The committee comprises representatives of conservation non-government organizations (NGOs) and the provincial, federal, and local governments. The Action Plan will look at the full range of land and freshwater biodiversity in BC, including species such as salmon and seabirds that also spend time in the ocean environment. The completed plan will provide a roadmap of coordinated actions for NGOs, resource industries, all levels of government including First Nations, and everyone else with an interest and a stake in conserving BC's diverse natural wealth.
Building a Biodiversity Action Plan
In the fall of 2005, Biodiversity BC invited leading scientific and planning experts from British Columbia and other jurisdictions to provide advice on building an effective action plan. These discussions led to a framework, which defined the key components of the biodiversity action plan and the process for gathering input, and set the timeline for completion.
In April 2006, planning experts from BC and other jurisdictions where biodiversity strategies have been completed provided advice and feedback on the proposed action plan framework. This advice helped guide the development of a draft vision and goals for discussion with stakeholders and the public. It also confirmed the need to work closely with First Nations to ensure that the action plan reflects the values and needs of aboriginal people in BC and is informed by traditional ecological knowledge.
Developing a Science Foundation
Before we can determine where we need to go, we needed to understand where we are now. The action plan process began with the preparation of three key reports, which are due to be released in late 2007:
- Ecological Concepts, Principles and Applications to Conservation;
- Report on the Status of Biodiversity in BC; and
- Biodiversity Atlas for British Columbia.
A technical expert advisory group was formed to provide ongoing advice on the development of the status report and review the components and methodology of the Ecological Principles and Status reports.
The Report on the Status of Biodiversity in BC includes:
- Talking about Biodiversity : provides definitions and context for the discussion of biodiversity in British Columbia. What is biodiversity? Why is it important?
- British Columbia's Natural Legacy : summarizes the current status of ecosystems, species and genes and their functions and processes; identifies areas of global significance, and areas of overlap with the marine environment and with other jurisdictions; and identifies gaps in our current knowledge about BC's biodiversity.
- Threats to Biodiversity in British Columbia : examines the pressures on biodiversity in British Columbia, and where the gaps are in the "safety net" to protect biodiversity.
- Status Assessment : provides a synthesis of the results presented in the previous two sections including the status of biodiversity at the ecosystem, species and genetic scales and the major stressors and impacts to biodiversity in BC. The major findings in this section will be used to guide the development of priority objectives and actions in the Biodiversity Action Plan.
These analyses have been subjected to stringent peer review and additional workshop discussions to ensure scientific soundness and provide us with the best available information on which to base the action plan proposals.
Developing a Draft Biodiversity Action Plan
The Biodiversity BC steering committee is developing draft options and priorities for conserving biodiversity, based on the ecological principles document and the major findings in the Status Report. In fall 2007, Biodiversity BC will be seeking advice from technical experts to help shape the recommendations for priority actions in the Draft Biodiversity Action Plan. This Draft Action Plan will include:
- a vision and goals;
- draft objectives and actions for meeting the goals; and
- recommendations for implementation and monitoring.
Working Together
No one group, organization, company or government alone can do the job of protecting BC's biodiversity. But by working together to meet urgent biodiversity conservation needs, we can find solutions that will provide long-term protection for BC's economic and social well-being as well as our natural legacy.
In early 2008, Biodiversity BC will release British Columbia's Biodiversity Action Plan, a Draft for Discussion, and begin soliciting feedback and ideas from the stakeholders, all levels of government and the public.
By the end of 2008, Biodiversity BC will finalize a 5-year action plan with input from stakeholders and public. The plan will include actions to reflect the priorities for everyone committed to biodiversity conservation - government and non-government organizations, private industry and individuals.
Implementing Biodiversity Conservation
The implementation of the Biodiversity Action Plan will begin in 2009. This will include monitoring actions and results, reporting on progress and making recommendations for ongoing improvements as new information becomes available. We expect to review and update the Plan every five years.
Click here [PDF 66KB] for a visual representation of the process for formulating the Biodiversity Action Plan.
Copyright 2007 Biodiversity BC