Eco-Journal, v.17.5 Nov/Dec 2007Eco-Journal, v.17.5 Nov/Dec 2007
Woodland caribou require protected boreal forest. Photo courtesy CPAWS.
By Ron Thiessen, CPAWS Manitoba
In October, the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) and forestry corporation Tembec negotiated a minimum 50-year halt on logging in an area used extensively by woodland caribou on the east side of Lake Winnipeg. This action provides protection for important woodland caribou habitat while allowing ongoing research in the region about survival needs of this species at risk.
Habitat protection is key to maintaining populations of this threatened species, as they are extremely sensitive to human developments. The area deferred from logging is the “winter core zone’ of the Owl Lake woodland caribou herd. In other words, lands the herd uses most during Manitoba´s cold months—a challenging time of year for caribou.
Healthy caribou important for us all
Woodland caribou need big swaths of intact boreal forest so they can spread out to avoid predators and contact with deer, which carry a contagious parasite that´s lethal to caribou. We rely on large healthy boreal forests for global ecological services.
In light of climate change, it´s critical we maintain the boreal´s huge carbon stores contained in its trees and soils. As the caribou´s boreal forest home is the world´s largest source of fresh water and the northern lungs of the planet, protecting it is essential for everyone´s future. By keeping the large boreal forests caribou require for survival, we secure a fundamental part of Earth´s life support system that we all depend on.
That´s why CPAWS is working with all involved to protect millions of hectares of boreal wilderness in Manitoba.
Next steps for caribou and its boreal forest home
Saving the Owl Lake caribou herd´s winter core habitat sets a strong example of what can be achieved when industry and conservationists work together. We hope this process and its result will be used as a model across Canada for other cooperative efforts involving conservation groups and logging companies.
There is still plenty of work to do to ensure survival of woodland caribou.
We are currently planning a joint workshop with Tembec and independent biologists to examine caribou protection in relation to forestry operations on the east side of Lake Winnipeg. It´s our hope that outcomes from the workshop will lead to other important caribou habitats being removed from Tembec‘s harvesting plans. Negotiating caribou habitat deferrals and other protection initiatives with industry is a component of CPAWS´ national strategy to protect at least 50% of Canada´s boreal wilderness in a large protected areas network.
Caribou conservation is an invitation for us to think big about safeguarding untamed boreal wilderness, and in turn, protecting one of Earth´s essential lifelines for the benefit of all. Please go to www.cpawsmb.org to learn how you can take personal action to protect woodland caribou´s boreal forest home.