Ontario needs to grow protected places

Join us in demanding the Ontario government deliver a plan to protect 30 per cent of provincial lands and waters by 2030 (30x30) in line with federal and international commitments to address the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change.

We've written to Ontario's Minister of Environment and the premier with our recommendations to grow protected places. You can amplify the urgency with an email about why protecting more nature is important to you and use the points to consider below.

Points to consider in your letter:
  • Ontario needs a plan to expand protected places in the province in line with the federal and international target of 30 per cent protected lands and water by 2030 (30x30). 
  • Growing protected places is essential to addressing biodiversity loss and climate change. At only 11 per cent currently protected, Ontario has fallen behind other provinces and territories, and as a result is missing out on hundreds of millions of federal funding opportunities. 
  • According to polling commissioned by the province's Protected Areas Working Group, over 86 per cent of Ontarians support expanding protected areas, and the majority would be willing to pay higher taxes to support this work. The working group also provided recommendations to the province in 2021 to support of the 30x30 target. 
  • With this strong mandate, the government must take ambitious steps to expand protected and conserved areas. Opportunities abound, including Indigenous-led conservation proposals and grassroots efforts to identify candidate protected areas that are biodiversity hotspots and provide critical nature-based climate benefits, such as wetlands and old-growth forests. 
  • Under the Protected Parks and Conservation Reserves Act (PPRCA) it is the responsibility of the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) to grow and manage protected areas. The Minister must articulate a transparent strategy for growing protected places that is:
    • Based on measurable targets, timelines and ecological and recreational values
    • Committed to nation-to-nation dialogue to establish Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs)
    • Supported by legislation, policy, programs, dedicated resources and cooperation between ministries. 
    • Driven by partnerships between government and conservation organizations as well as consultation with the public
       
Points to consider in your letter:
  • Ontario needs a plan to expand protected places in the province in line with the federal and international target of 30 per cent protected lands and water by 2030 (30x30). 
  • Growing protected places is essential to addressing biodiversity loss and climate change. At only 11 per cent currently protected, Ontario has fallen behind other provinces and territories, and as a result is missing out on hundreds of millions of federal funding opportunities. 
  • According to polling commissioned by the province's Protected Areas Working Group, over 86 per cent of Ontarians support expanding protected areas, and the majority would be willing to pay higher taxes to support this work. The working group also provided recommendations to the province in 2021 to support of the 30x30 target. 
  • With this strong mandate, the government must take ambitious steps to expand protected and conserved areas. Opportunities abound, including Indigenous-led conservation proposals and grassroots efforts to identify candidate protected areas that are biodiversity hotspots and provide critical nature-based climate benefits, such as wetlands and old-growth forests. 
  • Under the Protected Parks and Conservation Reserves Act (PPRCA) it is the responsibility of the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) to grow and manage protected areas. The Minister must articulate a transparent strategy for growing protected places that is:
    • Based on measurable targets, timelines and ecological and recreational values
    • Committed to nation-to-nation dialogue to establish Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs)
    • Supported by legislation, policy, programs, dedicated resources and cooperation between ministries. 
    • Driven by partnerships between government and conservation organizations as well as consultation with the public