This habitat protection helps polar bears and the people who rely on the same ecosystem. Photo Credit: Jason Hillier
Environment CanadaThis Initiative Is Good for the People (and for Polar Bears)
In November, Northern Quebec announced its latest protected area in the Hudson Bay’s Ottawa Islands – in line with Canada’s vow to the United Nations to protect 30% of its land and water by 2030.
With the new Arqvilliit Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA), Canada offers a prime example of indigenous engagement in conservation.
“It’s good for the people, it’s good for the polar bears, it’s good for the environment,” says Shaomik Inukpuk, the chairman of the steering committee for IPCA. “It’s good for everybody.”
The 30 by 30 promise is an extension of the Canada Nature Fund’s Target 1 Challenge, which aims to conserve a quarter of the country’s land and water by 2025.
