The Evolution of Biodiversity Strategies
The Path to Success
REPORT FROM
“The Meeting of Minds”
SFU Harbour Centre, October 20, 2011
by Michael Jackson PhD, Michelle Evelyn PhD,
Vince Verlaan MA and Cynthia Bendickson MSc
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The Evolution of Biodiversity Strategies — The Path to Success
“We are drowning in information,
while starving for wisdom.
The world henceforth will be run by
synthesizers, people able to put together
the right information at the right time,
think critically about it, and make
important choices wisely.”
E. O. Wilson –
‘The Father of Biodiversity’
THE EVOLUTION OF BIODIVERSITY STRATEGIES — THE PATH TO SUCCESS
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Introduction
Biodiversity encompasses the entire variety of
genes, species and ecosystems currently existing on
Earth and is responsible for the ecological processes
that allow life forms to evolve, interact and adapt
to a changing world. Biodiversity provides us with
everything from food production, to clean water,
fertile soil and fresh air - all of which originates
primarily from healthy functional natural ecosystems.
Each such natural ecosystem is filled with a multitude
of different species and a myriad of individual
varieties, all intricately connected with countless
others, and playing their part in providing us all with
the fundamental essentials of life - known collectively
as ecosystem services.
Since then, many Canadian provinces, cities and regions have
worked to develop local biodiversity strategies. Within British
Columbia, several municipalities and regions, including Metro
Vancouver, Comox Valley, South Okanagan - Similkameen, and
North and Central Okanagan have taken the lead in undertaking
biodiversity assessments and development biodiversity strategies
in their respective regions.
On October 20, 2011 the Ruby Lake Lagoon Society and Simon
Fraser University hosted a “Meeting of Minds” workshop at
SFU Harbour Centre Campus focusing on best practices in
the development of regional biodiversity strategies in British
Columbia. The Lagoon Society is developing a biodiversity
strategy for the Sunshine Coast and hopes to benefit from the
efforts of others who have already traveled along a similar path.
Participants in the Meeting of Minds, included representatives
of the following groups:
> Comox Valley Land Trust
> Environment Canada
As a result of human activities, ecosystem, species and genetic
diversity are now declining at an alarming rate that far exceeds
rejuvenation by natural processes. This loss of biodiversity
threatens the ecological, economic, spiritual, recreational and
cultural benefits that we currently derive from the Earth’s living
resources.
> Metro Vancouver
Governments worldwide have long recognized the need to develop
and implement biodiversity conservation strategies to address
the challenge of biodiversity loss. In 1992, Canada along with the
majority of the world’s governments ratified the UN Convention
on Biological Diversity. The Convention establishes three main
goals: the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable
use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of
the benefits from the use of genetic resources. In support of its
commitment under the UN Convention, Canada developed a
national biodiversity strategy in 1995.
This report highlights the main themes that emerged from the
Meeting of Minds and is intended as a best practices resource
for other groups seeking to develop and implement regional
biodiversity strategies.
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> Okanagan Collaborative Conservation Partnership
> Ruby Lake Lagoon Nature Reserve Society
> Sunshine Coast Natural History Society
> Sunshine Coast Wildlife Project
THE EVOLUTION OF BIODIVERSITY STRATEGIES — THE PATH TO SUCCESS
First Steps
Initiating the Biodiversity Strategy Process
>
Establish Clear Vision, Goals and Objectives - Use a clear vision, goals and
objectives statement to determine the principles guiding the project for all partners.
>
Proceed in Stages - Undertake the project in stages, including establishment of
vision and goals, scientific data analysis and assessment, strategy development, pilot
project, action planning, etc.
>
Undertake Initial Community Visioning Process - Develop common understanding
and broad agreement within the community of vision, goals and desired future states.
A community visioning process or summit can be useful.
>
Build Partnerships - Ensure that key individuals and stakeholder groups are involved
in the process from the beginning so they take responsibility and are involved in
developing the strategy.
>
Highlight Opportunities and Incentives - Emphasize opportunities to work together
that can lead to benefits (cost savings, etc.). Be aware that economic development is
primary concern for many people.
>
Identify Leaders for Concurrent Streams of Activity - Establish teams to address
different aspects in the process (e.g., environmental mapping, capacity building,
outreach and education, etc.)
>
Foster a Landscape View - Foster a regional “landscape view” and encourage
everyone to look beyond political boundaries to address issues (e.g., Comox found
that bringing three local governments together to work across boundaries within a
watershed could solve flooding issues that could not be solved in isolation).
THE EVOLUTION OF BIODIVERSITY STRATEGIES — THE PATH TO SUCCESS
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Building Partnerships
Fostering Strong Relationships
>
Engage First Nations - First Nations’ should be consulted and invited
to join in dialogue at every stage of the process. Strategies must honour
First Nations’ needs, and consider the current status of the local treaty
negotiation process.
>
Ensure Provincial Government Participation - Provincial government
agencies have jurisdiction over a significant land base and should be invited
to participate at an early stage.
>
Connect with Local Governments - Communicating effectively with local
government staff and politicians is key to success. Make an effort
to understand their agendas and barriers.
>
Involve Community Stakeholders - Seek out and consult with a wide
range of community stakeholders to establish a full spectrum of different
local perspectives. Encourage each stakeholder group to choose
a representative to participate in the strategy development process.
>
Consult with Planners - Local government planning departments are
excellent advisors and may become crucial partners as the strategy evolves
to influence policies (e.g., development practices, Official Community Plans,
zoning bylaws, other bylaws). Communicate and work with local planners
to understand their day-to-day operations, needs, and which tools and
information they require to assist with conservation planning activities.
Assessing Biodiversity
Using Robust Science to Evaluate the Region
>
Define Data Goals - Before you begin collecting
data, establish why you are collecting it, how it will
be analysed, to whom the analysis will be presented.
>
Identify Community Priorities - Identify areas that
are beloved by local residents. These “community
conservation priority areas” have value too.
>
Collate Available Data - Inventory all sources of
data available in the region, and identify data gaps.
Include published and grey literature sources. Some
valuable data resources include Nature Conservancy
of Canada eco-regional mapping, BC Conservation
Data Centre species and sensitive ecosystem
occurrence data, and Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping.
>
>
Consider Relative Biodiversity Mapping Relative biodiversity mapping has been used
by several jurisdictions to identify high priority
areas (e.g., Metro Vancouver, South Okanagan –
Similkameen, North and Central Okanagan). Wallto-wall regional district data layers are especially
valuable for this type of biodiversity mapping.
Identify High Biodiversity Value Areas Decide what you are giving value and why.
Areas with highest biodiversity significance are
not simply those with highest number of species.
Some sensitive ecosystems have inherently low
species richness, but they are still very important
to maintain the biodiversity of the region. Areas
of high biodiversity significance may include those
supporting species at risk, rare plant communities,
or other key biodiversity elements.
>
Keep Assessment Separate from Politics Undertake the science-based assessment of the region
first, and use it to inform the strategy development.
Keep the assessment (science piece) separate from
the strategy (political).
>
Evaluate Connectivity - Analyse the data to
identify potential ecological corridors and networks
of protected areas.
>
Analyse Historical Data - It can be very compelling
to demonstrate the current versus past condition
(e.g., changes in extent of mature forest or wetlands,
watershed landscape changes, etc.).
>
Rely on Technical Expertise - Involve expert
scientists in the assessment through expert
workshops and technical committees for different
ecosystems or geographic zones.
THE EVOLUTION OF BIODIVERSITY STRATEGIES — THE PATH TO SUCCESS
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Engaging with the Community
Effective Outreach and Communication
>
Highlight the Value of Biodiversity - Be sure to highlight the value of
conserving biodiversity, such as economic arguments, valuation of ecosystem
services and natural capital, human health, and tourism.
>
Consider Alternatives to the Term “Biodiversity” - Biodiversity can
mean different things to different people; consider a different term if it
is contentious or unclear to the general population, or else define it very
carefully. Other biodiversity strategy documents do not include the term
“biodiversity” in the title (e.g., South Okanagan-Similkameen “Keeping Nature
in our Future”, “Comox Valley Conservation Strategy”, and Metro Vancouver
“Ecological Health Action Plan”).
>
Be Prepared to Defend Data - Be prepared for people challenging the data.
Ensure your analysis is robust and defensible, and that maps and the data
behind them can be easily understood. With data collection at a regional
scale it is very difficult to be precise at a fine geographic scale, and maps
inevitably become outdated; manage expectations about this from the start.
>
Present Information Relevant to Residents - Members of the public like to
see how the biodiversity assessment and strategy relates to their lives and
where they live. Historical loss data from aerial photos can be very powerful.
>
Tailor Communications Relevant to Specific Audiences - Create best
management guidelines that are specific to different stakeholder groups
and highlight the role they can play (e.g., landowner activities to maintain
backyard biodiversity, government activities for protect areas priority areas,
forestry practices to preserve biodiversity in back country areas). Local
groups must understand where they fit in. Local governments need to know
how the strategy fits in with their goals for economic, health and social
development, etc.
Galvanising Action!
Writing and Implementing a Strategy
>
Set Goals, Targets and Indicators Ensure that the strategy includes specific goals,
targets and indicators.
>
Identify Local Champions - Identify and support
local champions who will take the lead on different
aspects of the strategy.
>
Develop Common Language - Establish common
terms with agreed definitions for use across
boundaries. A glossary to define terms within the
strategy is recommended.
>
>
Obtain Local Government Buy-in Once finalized, ensure that all local governments
endorse and sign on to the strategy.
Undertake Model Projects - Launch pilot projects,
spread throughout the region, in specific discrete
ecosystems, within specified timeframes, as examples
of what you are trying to achieve. Such projects will
help demonstrate to funders where you’re going and
show them what you’ve accomplished.
>
Maintain Living Documents - Keep updating the
biodiversity assessment and strategy documents,
as new information is incorporated and as progress
is made towards strategy goals.
>
Undertake Detailed Action Planning aOnce the assessment and strategy are complete
and have broad support from the government and
community, break the strategy down into discrete
projects, find champions and funding for each one,
and move forward.
>
>
Monitor Progress - Evaluate and track progress of
implementation and indicators to ensure that your
strategy is implemented and does not sit on shelf.
Select one organization to take lead responsibility
in monitoring progress of strategy implementation.
Uphold High Standards - There is a tendency
for local governments to drift towards a lower level
of acceptance and get worn down to lower standards.
Avoid focussing solely on small projects – it is the
job of regional strategies to uphold these higher
standards.
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Acknowledgements
The Lagoon Society is very grateful to Erin Embley, Lynda Fyfe, Tony Greenfield,
Jan Kirkby, Jack Minard, and Carolina Restrepo-Tamayo for contributing their time
and input on the day. We would also like to thank Sarah Gage from the Washington
State Recreation and Conservation Department, Carmen Cadrin from the BC
Conservation Data Centre, and Bryn White from the South Okanagan - Similkameen
Conservation Program for their thoughtful advice prior to the workshop.
We would also like to thank all the members of the Sunshine Coast Biodiversity
Strategy Steering Group – Cheryl Trent, Dave Lasser, Emanuel Machado, Jim Rossi,
John Field, Nadi Fleschhut, Patricia Gallaugher, Tony Greenfield, Wendy Gilbertson,
Cynthia Bendickson, Michelle Evelyn and Michael Jackson.
Our special athanks to Patricia Gallaugher and Laurie Wood from Simon Fraser
University Centre for Coastal Science and Management for hosting and helping to
organize the Meeting of Minds.
The Sunshine Coast Biodiversity Strategy has received generous funding support
from the Real Estate Foundation of BC, Vancouver Foundation, Mountain Equipment
Co-op, Gencon Foundation, the Sunshine Coast Regional District, and Environment
Canada’s EcoAction Community Funding Program.
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