September 2012

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Our Species At Risk Act: Changes Ahead
Environment Minister Peter Kent says the government is reviewing how to “improve” the Species At Risk Act through new legislation he hopes to introduce later this year. Removing the protections of the Act means drastically reducing – or even eliminating – funding for monitoring and recovery efforts for our most at risk species. Find out how changes to the Act will affect species at risk.
Species at Risk

Prairie Species at Risk
Hidden within the federal government’s 2012 Budget was a decision to divest itself of millions of acres of some of the rarest habitat on the continent – native grasslands known in the prairie provinces as "community pastures”. These pastures are vital to at least 31 species at risk, including some of Canada's most endangered birds. Our manager of protected areas, Alex MacDonald, explains how handing these pastures over to the provinces will severely imperil grassland wildlife.
Grassland Wildlife



One Step Forward for NWT National Park
We’re happy to announce that Nature Canada’s comments for the Aulavik National Park draft management plan have been included in the most recent version of the plan, which was tabled by Parliament this past summer. Aulavik National Park, located in the Northwest Territories, is home to a globally significant Important Bird Area and a Migratory Bird Sanctuary.
Protecting Aulavik National Park

We Can’t Leave Canada’s Parks and Wildlife Areas Unprotected
We need you to speak up on behalf of Canada’s parks, wildlife areas and migratory bird sanctuaries. Under the new Canadian Environmental Assessment Act 2012, many developments in federal protected areas like golf courses and ski resorts would no longer require environmental assessments or be subject to public scrutiny. Tell Canada’s government that national wildlife areas and other federally protected spaces deserve the highest level of protection.
Send your letter today



7 Tips to Help Migrating Birds
Fall is here! Helene Van Doninck, wildlife veterinarian at the Cobequid Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, shares her tips on how you can help migrating birds reach their destination this fall.
Help Migrating Birds

Caretaker Tours Manitoba Important Bird Area
Charlie McPherson, the Important Bird Area Caretaker for Netly-Libau IBA, shares his story of the extraordinary sights he witnessed on a recent birding trip. 
Birding in Manitoba IBA

A Win For Maritime Birds
Nova Scotia’s most prized Important Bird Area, the Bon Portage Island IBA, gained permanent protection this month. The island is recognized as a Globally Significant IBA for its concentrations of colonial seabirds, in this case Leach's Storm Petrel. This marks the first time university lands have been permanently protected using a conservation easement, a legal conservation tool.
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Annual Report
Thanks to your support, we’ve made significant progress in achieving our mission this year. To read about our nature conservation milestones check out Nature Canada’s annual report, which is available for download on our website. 
Download now 

In Memoriam
The late Fred Bodsworth was a celebrated naturalist and author and his passing this month saddened Nature Canada and naturalists around the world. Alex MacDonald, Nature Canada’s manager of protected areas, shares his thoughts on Bodsworth’s life work.
Fred Bodsworth

Photo of the Month
Photographed against a crisp blue sky, this photo reminds us of the beauty of birds of prey.
September Photo of the Month

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