The Sayisi Dene First Nation, Northlands Dene Nation, Barren Lands First Nation, and O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation—collectively because the Seal River Watershed Alliance—are main the way in which to completely defending an unlimited 12-million-acre panorama of forests, wetlands, lakes, streams, and rivers in Northern Manitoba. And they need your help.
The Seal River Watershed is among the few remaining intact watersheds of great measurement on the earth. Not solely is the watershed a biodiversity-rich hotspot it additionally acts as a pure local weather resolution. Inside this watershed there are massive wetland areas that act as carbon “sinks”. Carbon sinks take in carbon dioxide from the environment and retailer it in timber, soils, mosses, and phytoplankton that dwell in water. They’re essential in offsetting the results of local weather change.
A key issue of their case for everlasting safety can be the robust prevalence of birds. Audubon has been working with the Alliance on a co-led analysis undertaking and report that showcase the worldwide significance of the area. In actual fact, it gives critically vital breeding and migratory stop-over habitat for tens of millions of birds of a whole bunch of species together with the White-crowned Sparrow, Frequent Loon, and Arctic Tern. And the birds are usually not alone. They’re joined by caribou, bears, beluga whales, and numerous different species that additionally thrive right here.
Earlier this yr the Seal River Watershed Alliance signed an historic Nation-to-Nation-to-Nation settlement with the Manitoba Authorities and Authorities of Canada—a significant step ahead within the course of to guard the watershed. This settlement permits the three governments to formally work collectively on a feasibility evaluation for an Indigenous Protected and Conserved Space (IPCA) and probably, a nationwide park reserve (NPR), within the Seal River Watershed.
That is the place you are available in. The Seal River Watershed Alliance and Parks Canada are accumulating public suggestions. Whether or not it is a place you’ve visited, plan to go to, or just a spot you wish to preserve secure for birds just like the White-crowned Sparrow, you possibly can assist the Seal River Watershed Alliance transfer ahead with their plans to completely shield this wonderful ecosystem for folks, birds, and the planet by finishing the short survey earlier than August 23.
Crucial level you may make is that you just absolutely assist the proposed nationwide park reserve along with an Indigenous Protected Space within the Seal River Watershed on web page 4 of the survey. If you need, right here is a few further data that could be useful to think about when finishing the survey. Take into account that most questions are optionally available:
On web page 2:
The Seal River Watershed is wealthy in biodiversity supporting iconic species like polar bears, wolverines, grey wolves, and barren-ground caribou. It’s also a critically vital breeding and migratory stop-over location for tens of millions of birds of a whole bunch of species like Black Scoters, Lengthy-tailed Geese, Frequent Loons, Blackpoll Warblers, White-throated Sparrows, Darkish-eyed Juncos, Swainson’s Thrushes, and Palm Warblers.
Wetlands play an important position within the battle towards local weather change. The Seal River Watershed is a globally vital panorama for mitigating local weather change and must be thought of a sizzling spot for conservation planning on account of its huge carbon deposits.
The proposed protected space wouldn’t solely shield a wholesome, intact watershed, but in addition assist advance reconciliation, maintain Dene and Cree cultures, strengthen Nation-to-Nation-Nation partnerships, and supply a sustainable regional economic system for the communities within the watershed.
On web page 4:
Together with this proposed Indigenous Protected Space and nationwide park reserve in Canada’s conservation purpose of defending 30% of its lands and waters from improvement by 2030 would assist safeguard the pure local weather options discovered within the area’s peatlands and forests. It might additionally shield the unbelievable abundance of biodiversity on this wonderful area, in addition to reveal how respecting Indigenous management can create a more healthy and extra sustainable future for all of us.