Public Comments Needed

Until Wednesday, January 31st 2024 the BC Government is seeking public commentary on its Draft Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health Framework. This document outlines the BC government’s intent, principles and future actions, that together set the direction for prioritizing biodiversity and ecosystem health across the province.

Why this Document is important

Up until now, an overarching provincial strategic plan for the protection of BC’s ecosystems does not exist. Current legislation and policies protect distinct pieces of ecosystems, for example a species at risk, however not ecosystems in their entirety. As we have witnessed, this leads to loopholes which allow for exploitation and destruction of BC’s critical habitats.

The draft Framework demonstrates an important shift in the BC government’s tone and intention towards protecting BC’s ecosystems as a whole in the face of climate change. It also addresses an urgency in the need to do so quickly, and with a collaborative approach that involves multiple departments of the provincial government, First Nations communities, environmental stakeholders, and British Columbians (you!). Enactment of the completed Framework has the potential to create tangible change in safeguarding BC’s ecosystems and mitigating the effects of climate change.

Spread the Word & Have Your Voice Heard!

While the draft Framework is a positive start, there are still important factors that may not have been considered. We are calling on TLC supporters to learn more, share, and – if you feel appropriate – submit feedback on the Draft Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health Framework document.

Deadline for public feedback is on Wednesday, January 31st, 2024. Comments should be submitted to the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship (Ministry of WLRS) at:  biodiversity.ecosystemhealth@gov.bc.ca.

More Resources

Info Session and Q & A with Dr. Rachel Holt: Draft Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health Framework

The Kootenay Conservation Program (KCP) hosted this information session and Q & A, with Dr. Rachel Holt, which gave information on the province’s draft Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health Framework, identified the opportunities that this Framework potentially offers, and provided suggestions that can be used by individuals to respond to the provincial government as they work to develop next steps. The provincial government recently released a new Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health Framework. This Framework ‘formalizes a new and strategic direction for a more holistic approach to stewarding our land and water resources and making sure they are healthy and resilient for future generations.’ The Province is accepting feedback on this draft Framework up to January 31, 2024. Ecologist Dr. Rachel Holt served on the Old Growth Technical Advisory Panel which provided recommendations that the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health Framework has stemmed from. Rachel lives in Nelson and has her own one-woman consulting company. She has focused her efforts primarily on forest management policy, ecology and conservation of old growth forests, and large-scale planning processes such as the Great Bear Rainforest. Rachel has been vice chair of the Forest Practices Board and was recently an expert witness in the successful Supreme Court Case claiming breach of Treaty Rights for the Blueberry River First Nation. Her key interest is in changing the management of resources in such a way that outcomes for climate, biodiversity and communities are improved.