Biodiversity BC and its process 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 British Columbia 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 strategy for BC. Click here [PDF 286KB] for a brochure that describes Biodiversity BC and the action plan process.
The Biodiversity 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 biodiversity.
Building an Action Plan
British Columbians have long recognized the relationship between our own health and well-being and the health of the environment around us. BC has been a leader with land use planning, the protected areas strategy and related initiatives. Now, issues such as climate change are bringing this crucial relationship into sharper focus. BC's Biodiversity Action Plan will build on the strength of actions already taken by industry, governments, communities and the public to conserve and protect the well-being of humans and nature for the future.
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 [PDF 72KB], 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, process experts from BC and other jurisdictions where biodiversity strategies have been completed provided advice and feedback on the proposed action plan framework. This advice led to the preparation of a draft vision and goals for discussion with stakeholders and the public and 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.
Status Report
Before we can determine where we need to go, we needed to understand where we are now. To provide the science foundation for the action plan, Biodiversity BC prepared two key documents, a report on the Status of Biodiversity in BC and a report on Ecological Concepts, Principles and Applications to Conservation. These reports are designed to support the development of the Biodiversity Action Plan by providing a primer on biodiversity - clarifying the current status of biodiversity and setting out the concepts and principles of biodiversity conservation and restoration. This scientific foundation will be used to develop the options and priorities for a draft Biodiversity Action Plan, and will help to frame the discussion during consultation with governments (including First Nations), stakeholders, and the public.
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 species, ecosystems and their functions and processes; identifies areas of global significance and areas of overlap with the marine environment and 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 : summarizes the key findings and describes how they relate to each other.
Developing a Draft 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 consult with technical experts and stakeholders to help shape the recommendations on options and priority actions in British Columbia's Biodiversity Action Plan: Draft for Discussion. The 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 caring for BC's biodiversity. But by working together to meet urgent biodiversity conservation needs, we can find solutions that will conserve BC's biodiversity and our economic and social well-being.
In early 2008, Biodiversity BC will release British Columbia's Biodiversity Action Plan: Draft for Discussion, and begin soliciting feedback and ideas from stakeholders, governments (including First Nations) and the public.
By the end of 2008, Biodiversity BC will finalize its first 5-year action plan based on priorities recommended by stakeholders, governments, First Nations and the public. The plan will include actions for everyone committed to biodiversity conservation - government and non-government organizations, First Nations, private industry and individuals.
Implementing Biodiversity Conservation
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 to open the Draft Biodiversity Action Plan.
Click here to open How Can I Participate?
Copyright 2007 Biodiversity BC