Global Conservation
Working globally and locally
WCS Canada is part of the global WCS family, which undertakes science and conservation initiatives in more than 60 countries designed to both highlight conservation challenges and solutions and inspire people to act on their love of nature. While we work to save wildlife within Canada, we are also part of an globe-spanning team that is addressing global conservation challenges --from loss of intact forests to climate change.
Key international initiatives
Convention on Biological Diversity
The Convention recognizes the need for countries to work together to protect the Earth’s biodiversity and the services we receive from biological systems.
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) is a plan for achieving the CBD’s 2050 vision of “People Living in Harmony with Nature.” The GBF's mission is to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030. We’ve put together an explainer piece that looks at some of the actions Canada should consider for addressing each goal and target.
Key Biodiversity Areas
Identification of Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) is another way we can act to protect biodiversity around the world. KBAs are an important new international conservation tool being jointly developed by non-profit groups, scientists and governments around the world. WCS Canada is using its field science expertise to both lead the development of international KBA standards and to inform KBA identification efforts in Canada. As part of this work, WCS Canada is leading the National Coordination Group, which brings together experts and stakeholders to advance KBA identification across Canada. KBAs by themselves do not protect areas, but are a valuable stepping stone toward conserving areas that are highly threatened or rich in biodiversity.
CITES
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is one of the key tools we can use to address wildlife trafficking and poaching worldwide. Canada is a Party (member government) to the CITES treaty, which regulates international trade in protected species. WCS has been deeply involved in the issue of stopping the illegal wildlife trade, including for elephants, tigers, pangolins, parrots, turtles, and parrots, along with many other species. We also work to protect and increase habitat for species endangered by wildlife trafficking. Thanks to the extensive WCS global network, we are able to keep the Canadian government informed on wildlife trade and poaching issues worldwide and involve Canadians in helping to stop highly destructive practices, such as sales of elephant ivory or other products made from endangered species.
International collaboration
We work closely with our WCS international colleagues in the Arctic Beringia and Western Rocky Mountains programs to research and address multiple transboundary issues, such as climate change and connectivity. Similarly, we have been involved in cross-border efforts to restore bison, a key – but often missing – driver of grassland ecosystems. We also share scientific findings and policy ideas through many international conservation organizations, from the North American Congress for Conservation Biology to the Arctic Council.
As scientists, we often publish papers in peer reviewed journals to share our fieldwork findings and believe strongly in open science.
WCS international programs
WCS Canada also directly supports some key international conservation programs that are part of WCS’s global wildlife protection efforts. In fact, WCS staff work collaboratively across programs and geographies to address transboundary environmental challenges, including through intergovernmental initiatives and forums.
TIGERS
The tiger is endangered worldwide and in many countries entire local populations have gone extinct. As ever-growing expanses of Asia are carved up for roads, farms, logging interests, and urban development, tigers are losing their natural habitats. WCS has long-standing conservation programs in nine countries where tigers live. Our goal is to help save the populations of this big cat in the wild and improve their living conditions.
TURTLES
Nearly half of the world’s freshwater turtle species are at risk of extinction. Habitat loss and the illegal wildlife trade continue to threaten species that are already struggling for survival. Our international turtle conservation program aims to restore imperiled populations by conducting surveys of turtle habitat, advocating for the reduction of the turtle trade, and by restoring wild populations through captive breeding and release.
CORAL REEFS
Coral reefs are home to over a quarter of all life in the ocean, and are a source of food, livelihoods, coastal protection, and cultural heritage for more than 500 million people. For more than 70 years WCS has been underwater studying coral reefs - based on decades of partnerships with local communities and underwater monitoring, we know that there are still healthy, climate-resilient coral reefs all over the world. In 18 countries, WCS is on a mission to find these climate-resilient reefs, understand their threats and how to increase their health and integrity. We focus on achieving on the ground conservation, driving national and international policy change to protect our oceans, conducting in-water monitoring to assess the health of reefs and measure the outcomes of our interventions, and working hand in hand with communities and local conservation leaders.
Stories and op-eds
Canada must turn its impressive biodiversity protection goals into real actions
WCS Canada President Justina Ray outlines the key actions needed to turn Canada's 2030 Nature Strategy into tangible biodiversity leadership.Justina Ray
