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Global Forest Watch Canada: New report maps disturbances and restoration-protection opportunities for Woodland Caribou in Northern Quebec.

Ottawa, July 14, 2011 - According to a study released today by Global Forest Watch Canada (GFWC), critical woodland caribou habitat in the James Bay region of northern Quebec is being rapidly impacted by roads and logging.

This follows the release yesterday of a report by the International Boreal Conservation Campaign, Keeping woodland caribou in the boreal forest: Big challenge, immense opportunity, which provides a guide for conserving woodland caribou over the long termIt provides a broad overview of the state of woodland caribou, leading causes of their decline, and concludes with proactive steps needed to be taken to ensure this iconic species is not lost forever.

The Canadian Boreal Initiative has released the following comment on the GFWC report:

 

Valérie Courtois, RPF, Senior Advisor, Aboriginal Relations:

"The Canadian Boreal Initiative (CBI) supports the protected areas proposals put forward by the regional and local Cree authorities in the Broadback River-Lake Evans region."

"This portion of the Cree territory includes critical woodland caribou habitat, greatly threatened by forestry operations. There is a critical lack of publicly available information on caribou populations and habitat in Eeyou Istchee, a worrisome situation given the development pressures in the area."

Suzann Méthot, Regional Director for Quebec:

"The Broadback River-Lake Evans protected areas proposed by the Cree could be a part of the solution and allow the survival of this endangered species. Whether in the implementation of the new strategy on protected areas in Quebec or in the implementation of the Plan Nord, opportunities abound so that policy makers can act quickly and protect the last intact forests in Cree territory and the last woodland caribou living there ."

"The Quebec government has pledged to protect 50% of the region covered by the Plan Nord from all industrial activity, for the protection of the environment and biological diversity."

 

• Link to Global Forest Watch Canada
• Media release: Rates of logging and road building in sensitive caribou habitat in Quebec are increasing: new report
• Report: Mapping Disturbances and Restoration-Protection Opportunities for Woodland Caribou within the James Bay Region of Northern Quebec

 

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About the Canadian Boreal Initiative

Established in 2003, the Canadian Boreal Initiative (CBI) brings together diverse partners to create new solutions for boreal conservation and sustainable development. It acts as a catalyst for on-the-ground efforts across the Boreal forest region by governments, industry, Aboriginal communities, conservation groups, major retailers, financial institutions and scientists.

 

For more information, please contact:

Liliane Day, lday@borealcanada.ca