Wildlife Conservation Society Canada

The Wildlife Conservation Society Canada (WCS Canada), based in Toronto, Ontario, is the Canadian affiliate of the Wildlife Conservation Society International (WCS), incorporated as a conservation organization in Canada in July 2004.^[1] WCS Canada currently runs conservation projects across six key regions in Canada led by its staff of field-based scientists.^{[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]}

WCS Canada is distinguished from other environmental organizations through its role in generating science through applied field-based research and using this research to achieve conservation results. Major issues addressed include protected-area design, wildlife monitoring and recovery, ecosystem restoration, and community-based conservation.

Mission

The stated mission of WCS Canada is:

The Wildlife Conservation Society Canada conserves wildlife and wild places by understanding the issues, developing science-based solutions, and working with others to carry out conservation actions across Canada.^[1]

History

WCS’ engagement in Canada dates back to 1905 when William Hornaday (one of the founders of the New York Zoological Society, the original name of WCS) visited the Crowsnest Pass in southeast British Columbia and called for conservation of the area where - 100 years later - WCS Canada still has a major conservation presence.^[10] In 1912, WCS was a principal architect of the Alaskan Fur Seal Treaty, and the Migratory Bird Treaty between Canada, USA and Mexico.^[11] Between 1949 and 1981, WCS supported various activities in Canada, including arctic expeditions to Bylot Island and research on seals, merlin, whooping cranes, polar bears, and bowhead whales. Beginning in 1997 WCS scientist, John Weaver, performed Canada lynx surveys in Kootenay and Banff National Parks and WCS involvement in Canada has been continuous ever since. WCS Canada was established as an organization in 2004 and has since expanded to numerous field projects in six regions of Canada (Arctic, Northern Appalachians, Northern Ontario, Northern Boreal Mountains, Southern Rocky Mountains, and Nahanni National Park) and maintains involvement in a number of WCS global programs.^{[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]}

Conservation of wildlife and wild places

WCS Canada works to conserve wildlife and wild places by focusing their field research on six regions of Canada and across a suite of ecologically important species. Their research addresses ecological threats associated with global climate change, natural resource extraction and habitat fragmentation. By focusing on a strategic portfolio of species including woodland caribou, wolverine, Canada lynx, lake trout, and American bison, WCS Canada extends its understanding of conservation needs beyond individual sites and threats.

WCS Canada also provides science to decision-makers providing a critical foundation for credible decision making. It also plays a key role in helping decision makers and the general public understand the risks and impacts of choices for wildlife and ecosystems. WCS Canada scientists are informing land use planning and related policies by generating science and by applying findings to relevant conservation processes. The results and expertise derived from WCS research and its partners have a demonstrated track record of improving policies and legislation to conserve northern wildlife and habitats.

WCS Canada is working on transboundary conservation in the Northern Appalachian\Acadia Ecoregion that extends from New York state to Nova Scotia in collaboration with Two Countries, One Forest, focusing on wildlife connectivity, mapping the Human Footprint and studying the ecology of small carnivores (e.g. lynx and marten).^[2] Their work in Northern Ontario, the largest intact boreal forest in North America, addresses the threats of development and climate change to wildlife and fish including caribou, wolverine, wolves, Canada lynx, lake sturgeon, walleye, and lake trout.^[3][4][5] WCS scientists are also working in the Northern Boreal Mountains in Yukon and northern British Columbia where government-mandated land use planning is proceeding region by region. These planning processes allow WCS scientists to engage is land use zoning and protected area delineation, by providing new science, technical support and stakeholder commentary. Their current research in this region includes a study on the value of valley bottom habitats for wildlife, habitat management for caribou, and mapping intact, priority ecosystems.^[6] In the Southern Rocky Mountains, WCS is working to evaluate high-quality habitat and connectivity for a suite of sensitive species including grizzly bears, wolverines, lynx, elk, mountain goats, bull trout, and westslope cutthroat trout.^{[7][12][13][14]}

Recently, WCS Canada conducted research on three focal species in Nahanni National Park Reserve - grizzly bear, caribou and Dall’s sheep. These studies provided scientific support for a massive expansion of Nahanni National Park (from 1,862 square miles to 12,000 square miles) to help ensure its ecological integrity.^[9] WCS Canada also undertook research in the Western Arctic including understanding the terrestrial food web, assessing the threat of mining, and polar bear conservation.^[8]

While an independent organisation, WCS Canada is an integral part of a network of WCS Global Programs. Some of the global conservation projects that WCS Canada is involved in include wildlife health, conservation of the Ituri Forest of the Democratic Republic of Congo, community-managed forests of Madagascar, conservation of tigers in nine countries (Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Russia, and Thailand), and conservation of the Iranian cheetah.

References