Kitigan Zibi Anishinàbeg launches biodiversity conservation initiative
Sophie Demers
Local Journalism Initiative
OUTAOUAIS – Kitigan Zibi Anishinàbeg (KZA) has launched a major regional initiative through their Natural Resource and Wildlife Office (NRWO) to enhance biodiversity protection across their traditional territory. The project will use a unique governance model balancing Indigenous leadership and collaboration with non-Indigenous local governments and institutions.
The initiative has three main objectives: community engagement – gather the community for consultations and discussions to share knowledge and possible solutions; assess regional biodiversity to identify priority areas for protection and restoration; and create a strategic plan outlining how to protect habitats, restore degraded ecosystems, and preserve endangered species.
The KZA Stewardship Plan for Anishinàbeg Aki Conservation and Biodiversity is a two-year project with two phases. Phase 1 involves creating a collaborative regional working group led by KZA to develop a regional action plan to protect key areas. Phase 2 will consist of enforcing protections to conserve 30% of land and freshwater ecosystems and restore 20% of degraded areas.
This initiative follows the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15), where the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework was adopted by over 190 nations, including Canada. The framework aims to conserve 30% of land and freshwater ecosystems and restore 30% of degraded ecosystems by 2030.
“Collaboration and information sharing is key. We want to create a collaborative atmosphere so we can share all the data and information gathered. A lot of the time, governments, organizations, and NGOs work towards similar goals, but don’t work together or know what the other is doing,” explains Jonathan Côté, spokesperson for KZA and Guardian Nagadjitodjig Aki. “If we’re going to try and reach this 30 by 30 goal, we need to start working together for the greater good.”
Collaboration with municipal representatives from Gatineau and Outaouais MRCs, along with academic and scientific experts, community members, elders, and youth will provide a comprehensive understanding of biodiversity across the Outaouais.
KZA is calling on community members with expertise in traditional knowledge, local history, and biodiversity to join the advisory committee to help shape the project.
“We want to ensure everybody’s voices are heard and considered when planning and determining this roadmap,” said Côté, while highlighting the importance of Indigenous knowledge, which thinks about seven generations ahead. “I’m very passionate about this project. I have a young granddaughter, so it’s about thinking about their future as well.”
Photo – The official launch of the project took place on October 21 at the KZA Cultural Centre near Maniwaki. Côté said there was a great turn out, with over 70 people attending from all walks of life; regional, provincial, and federal government representatives, community members and project leaders from the KZA NRWO. (Alice Beaudoin)
