Together for Wildlife - Goal 3

We will establish clear, measurable objectives for wildlife stewardship that take into consideration the interactions among species. In collaboration with the Minister’s Wildlife Advisory Council and the First Nations–B.C. Wildlife and Habitat Conservation Forum, we will draft a renewed approach for setting objectives and linking wildlife populations and habitat. We will implement this approach after broad engagement, by developing provincial stewardship frameworks and regional stewardship plans for priority species and populations.

Work completed

• Developed modernized and collaborative wildlife stewardship plans with clear objectives
• Completed a project that connects goals for animal populations with goals for their habitats
• Worked with First Nations to create a stewardship planning policy
• Continued to develop provincial and regional plans

We will invest in on-the-ground stewardship to meet wildlife objectives and ensure wildlife and their habitats are resilient to change. Examples of stewardship actions include enhancing and restoring priority habitats such as wetlands and grasslands; reducing wildlife mortality on highways and railways; working with industry to improve practices; reducing wildlife conflicts with communities; deactivating and reclaiming resource roads; and managing key threats to wildlife and habitats, including invasive species, interspecies interactions and disease.

We will use evidence to guide actions and funding allocation decisions, and we will strategically leverage other funding opportunities (e.g., Forest Carbon Initiative, Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, and Fish and Wildlife Compensation programs) to maximize benefits for wildlife.

Work completed and underway

• Deliver innovative on the ground stewardship projects across the province, including treating respiratory illness in Fraser River Bighorn Sheep, determining moose calf numbers using radio collars, and strategies to mitigate human-bear conflicts
• Invest in wildlife corridors and crossings and related planning
• Support planning efforts in region and develop long-term plans that prioritize wildlife
• Continue to develop provincial-level strategic plans and policy support for initiatives like the cultural and prescribed burning program

To learn about on-the-ground projects in your region visit the Together for Wildlife Dashboard.

We will complete a comprehensive review of land designations under the Wildlife Act, Oil and Gas Activities Act, and Forest and Range Practices Act that contribute to conservation to ensure they effectively target the intended habitats, now and in the future, and in light of climate change impacts and habitat alterations. The results of the review will identify gaps and opportunities to improve the effectiveness of those designations for wildlife.

We will complete more detailed assessments for 10 percent of these designations every year. In collaboration with Indigenous governments, local governments, and key partners, we will recommend changes to these land designations (e.g., boundaries and stewardship) to improve their value for wildlife and to meet established wildlife and habitat objectives. Proposed changes will undergo socio-economic assessments and consultation, as required by the applicable legislation.

Work completed and underway

• Use geographic information system technology (GIS) to analyze the impact of human activities and natural events on habitat designations across the province
• Carry out regional evaluations of current land designations to identify areas requiring attention with the goal to improving ecological outcomes
• Involve and partner with First Nations communities in monitoring, managing, and assessing the effectiveness of habitat areas
• Completed the Action 10 Spatial Analysis of Disturbance within Habitat Designations in British Columbia report (PDF, 4.3MB)
• Build and maintain a dashboard to display, share and enable interpretation of the data from the comprehensive GIS analysis
• Conduct detailed assessments of the effectiveness of land designations
• Continue to support regional assessments of land designations
• Engage the public by creating easy to read summary reports, dashboards and other graphics to share information about land designations

We will make investments to manage existing Conservation Lands and acquire new priority lands for wildlife stewardship. We will use these funds to leverage additional investments, and we will strengthen ties with Indigenous governments, conservation partners, resource industries and other interested parties to better secure and manage Conservation Lands to achieve wildlife objectives.

Work completed and underway

• Develop a strategic plan for the Conservation Lands program
• Support projects that protect wildlife habitats within conservation lands
• Work with land trust organizations and First Nations to help guide decision making on Conversation Land policies
• Partner with First Nations to deliver T4W funded projects on Conservation Lands
• Supported and participated in a Climate Informed Conservation Planning for BC project to help inform important areas for conservation as a result of climate change
• Support regional Conservation Lands (CL) management planning and on-the-ground stewardship
• Continue to build partnerships with land trust organizations
• Assess Land Act designations for conservation and recommend Wildlife Management Area (WMA) designations

We will review the Wildlife Act and make recommendations to address priority issues, such as reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, determination of objectives, improved wildlife stewardship, effective and accessible service delivery, and dedicated funding. Proposed changes will contribute to wildlife stewardship and support strong, innovative, and sustainable local communities, as well as enhancing reconciliation with First Nations.

Work completed and underway 

• Developed short-term Wildlife Act amendment proposals to support reconciliation, and engaged with First Nations
• Introduced Bill 14, the Wildlife Amendment Act, 2022, which moved us closer to an equal partnership with First Nations on wildlife stewardship. The changes also ensure that Indigenous ancestral knowledge of wildlife is considered when making decisions about wildlife management
• Identify high-level issues and recommendations for the Wildlife Act review
• Launched the review of the Wildlife Act review and associated engagement
• Established a joint working group with members of the Minister’s Wildlife Advisory Council, the First Nations B.C. Wildlife and Habitat Forum and the Provincial Hunting and Trapping Advisory Team to support policy work

In collaboration with the Minister’s Wildlife Advisory Council and the First Nations–B.C. Wildlife and Habitat Conservation Forum, we will review existing and potential new creative funding models and make recommendations to ensure sufficient, dedicated, long-term funding for wildlife and habitat stewardship in British Columbia.

Work completed and underway

• Enhanced wildlife and habitat budget by $10M/year since 2020-21
• Began exploring potential funding sources within and outside of British Columbia
• Signed the $1 billion Tripartite Framework Agreement on Nature Conservation with Canada and the First Nations Leadership Council.
• Launched the $300 million BC Conservation Fund in partnership with the BC Parks Foundation.
• As part of the Wildlife Act review and in partnership with our advisory bodies, conduct policy analyses to ensure sufficient, dedicated, long-term funding for wildlife/habitat
• Continue to identify opportunities for partnerships and leveraging funds to ensure sufficient, dedicated, and long-term funding for wildlife and habitat protections