Protecting Biodiversity in BC
BC needs a biodiversity law, complete with protections for habitat for species-at-risk to ensure a future where wildlife and people can thrive
British Columbia lists over 1,600 species at risk and counting, yet there is no effective provincial law to protect them or their habitat. Some of BC’s most iconic animals are on this list including southern mountain caribou, grizzly bears and southern resident killer whales. The biggest threat most endangered species face is from habitat loss and degradation. We need a law that’ll ensure they’ll still be here in the future
Why Action is Needed
What's at stake?
Habitat degradation is a critical threat facing endangered species. For example, southern mountain caribou and spotted owls – two of the most threatened wildlife populations in BC, depend on old-growth forests for their homes. Old growth forests are an ecosystem that has long been identified of high conservation importance, but most of it (82%) remains unprotected and clearcutting is continuing. It’s time to prioritize biodiversity and ecosystem health above natural resource extraction to ensure a future for BC’s iconic wildlife and ecosystems.
- Shrinking habitat for vulnerable species
- No Species at Risk law in BC
- Critical habitat remains unprotected
Solutions
Implement the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health Framework and co-develop a Biodiversity Law
“Out of rising concern for how old-growth forests are managed in the province, an independent review was conducted and released in 2020. The Old Growth Strategic Review put forward 14 recommendations on how to better manage forests based on wide consultation and expert opinions.
All recommendations from this report were adopted, though none have yet been fully implemented. Some of the recommendations outline conditions required for change, and include the need for legislation that establishes “conservation of ecosystem health and biodiversity of British Columbia’s forests as an overarching priority”.
Out of this recommendation came the draft Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health Framework. This framework sets the stage for a needed paradigm shift that prioritizes biodiversity and the health of ecosystems above resource extraction. With continued momentum this could lead to a biodiversity law, and even include protections for species at risk and their habitat. A biodiversity law, co-developed with First Nations is a key pathway to a future where BC’s iconic wildlife can thrive. “
- A draft framework exists to lay the pathway to a law
- A Biodiversity Law, co-developed with First Nations is the goal
- This is a key opportunity to protect species at risk and their habitat in British Columbia
We need your support!
Sign our petition to support a biodiversity law!
Updates & News
CPAWS BC
March 20, 2025
Progress report shows BC needs faster action on nature conservation
Today marks the first day of spring, and it’s a cool, crisp day where I live on Secwépemc territory in ...
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CPAWS BC
March 5, 2025
CPAWS-BC urges province to continue advancing nature conservation following 2025 BC Budget
Wednesday, March 5, 2025, unceded territories of the Coast Salish Peoples/Vancouver, BC – With the release of a very tight ...
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CPAWS BC
September 18, 2024
Sept. 18, 2024 - by Meg Bjordal, Research and Policy Coordinator Protecting Biodiversity and Habitat for Species at Risk is ...
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Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCA)
Indigenous Peoples have cared for lands and waters since time immemorial. As original stewards, Indigenous Peoples’ leadership, knowledge and experience ...
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