Canadian Wildlife Federation Presents Western Boreal Forest Initiative at International Congress of Conservation Biology

OTTAWA, July 23, 2013 /CNW/ - Today, the Canadian Wildlife Federation is presenting its Western Boreal Forest Initiative at the International Congress of Conservation Biology in Baltimore, MD.

Working closely with industry and academics, the first phase of the initiative developed a science-based, land use model that will help Canadians and decision makers see the outcomes for wildlife of various resource development and habitat conservation scenarios in the western boreal forest. The land use tool is now complete and a full report will be released in early fall.

The tool will put knowledge in the hands of decision makers and the general public to allow them to explore the trade-offs between wildlife conservation, industrial development and economic benefit.

"The issues affecting this region are complex," says Dr. David Browne, CWF Director of Conservation who is presenting at the Congress. "Canada needs a plan for the region that takes into account the cumulative effects of resource development on wildlife and their habitat while still allowing for economic benefit to Canadians. This land use planning tool will allow decision-makers to explore the various outcomes that actions taken now will have on this valuable landscape in the years to come."

CWF's Western Boreal Forest Initiative will help define a vision for conservation in the boreal forest in Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. The goal of the project is to define a vision for conservation that maintains key species such as boreal caribou, moose, and songbirds, but allows for continued economic benefit from the region. This project is particularly relevant to conservation planning for boreal woodland caribou as it explores future scenarios for the most threatened area of caribou habitat in Canada.

About the Canadian Wildlife Federation:
The Canadian Wildlife Federation is a national non-profit charitable organization dedicated to ensuring an appreciation of our natural world and a lasting legacy of healthy wildlife and habitat. By spreading knowledge of human impacts on the environment, developing and delivering educational programs, sponsoring research, promoting the sustainable use of natural resources, recommending policy changes and co-operating with like-minded partners, CWF encourages a future in which Canadians can live in harmony with nature. For more information, visit CanadianWildlifeFederation.ca.

SOURCE: Canadian Wildlife Federation