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You did it! Thank you!

Absolutely huge news out of Ottawa today!  The federal government has released a scientific report on the Boreal population of Woodland caribou, a nationally threatened species.  The report identifies critical habitat needed for the survival of Boreal woodland caribou.

Why is this report so important?  Well, it shows that nearly 2.5 million sq. km of the Boreal is considered critical habitat.  That’s a lot of Boreal forest.  In fact it supports CPAWS’ position that at least half of Canada’s Boreal forest should be protected.

Now that this report is out and we know where the scientists say where critical habitat is, the next urgent step is for the federal government to consult Aboriginal Canadians and their Traditional Knowledge, and move quickly to release the national recovery strategy for woodland caribou.  In fact, this is a requirement under the Species at Risk Act (SARA).

I'll let you know how you can help.  In the meantime, why not send a note to Environment Minister Jim Prentice?  He's responsible for the report's release, and will have a large say in how the government deals with its obligation to uphold SARA.  You can let him know you care about caribou and remind him that the recovery strategy is an important next step.

CPAWS and their partners have been pestering the government to release this report for months.  Thanks to everyone (more than 10,000 of you!) who signed the petition and postcards for caribou. You helped make it happen!  Now help us on the next step in protecting Canada’s woodland caribou and their Boreal forest home.

Check out the details of the report and background info here.

Manitoba 'Bou Book event

My friends at CPAWS Manitoba invited author (and former CPAWS board member) Justina Ray to talk about her new book, Caribou and the North: A Shared Future.  It sounds like it was a great night! Here's their report:

On November 20th, CPAWS Manitoba held its Caribou: Our Shared North event at the Winnipeg Art Gallery. Over 200 gathered to learn more about Woodland caribou from featured speaker Dr. Justina Ray and listen to the voice and song of Juno Award-winning singer-songwriter James Keelaghan.

Dr. Ray, co-author of Caribou and the North: A Shared Future, delivered a strong message concerning the fate of canada's caribou. Stating the urgent need to protect their remaining boreal forest habitat, Dr. Ray points out that Boreal woodland caribou are a species that only thrive in intact ecosystems. Caribou therefore serve as litmus test to the health of the Boreal forest which is increasingly under pressure from industrial activity. Here in Manitoba we have some of the most important remaining boreal forest. Dr. Ray insists, "It's crucial that decisions for conservation be made before development takes place, while we still have the opportunity to do so."

The CPAWS Manitoba staff and board would like to sincerely thank the speakers, sponsors, volunteers, and guests for making it a truly special night.

Second Stop: Winnipeg

I made a lot of friends in Winnipeg. Everyone was really welcoming, though I was shy at first. They listened to my concerns for my northern Boreal home and realized that they could do something to help. People were eager to let the government know that they cared about my relatives and me – the threatened woodland caribou. Hundreds of postcards were signed in support. Thank you.

First, I went to Mountain Equipment Co-op, where I met the wonderful staff and checked out their great gear. On my tour of the city I saw some of my distant relatives on my way to the Forks. What an adventure!

But it's time to move on. There are still many places to go and people to talk to about the importance of the Boreal forest. If you would like to help protect my home - the Boreal forest, please sign the online petition to the federal Minister of Environment.

Be sure to check back next week to hear about my adventures in Edmonton!