Preserving biodiversity means keeping the planet resilient, so that life can adapt to environmental changes and thrive. The Government of New Brunswick is committed to conserving biodiversity for present and future generations.
There are many pressures acting on New Brunswick’s natural environment, like land use, climate change, pollution, and invasive species (non-native species that can spread rapidly and harm ecosystems). Protecting nature while supporting the economy takes careful planning and the use of a suite of conservation tools. Protected Areas and other conserved lands play an important part in conserving biodiversity in New Brunswick. These are lands that exclude the development and extraction of natural resources.
Outside of protected areas, where commercial activities do occur, we also need to care for nature so that our economic growth is balanced and sustainable. Biodiversity is therefore considered in provincial land use decisions, like forest planning and environmental reviews, to ensure that wildlife populations and natural resources are maintained and managed responsibly.
Protecting nature is a shared responsibility, and a collective effort is key to success. Local and Federal governments, Indigenous Peoples, conservation groups, communities, and industries that operate on the landscape all play a role in keeping New Brunswick’s natural heritage healthy and sustainable.
In fact, everyone can make a difference by making smart, everyday choices. For example, you can:
- dispose of waste properly, including medications and hazardous materials at designated collection facilities (Waste diversion programs);
- choose sustainable products;
- help prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species by taking simple precautionary steps, learning to identify prominent invasive species, and reporting sightings to iNaturalist;
- recreate responsibly outdoors;
- be fire smart; and
- create wildlife-friendly spaces in your yard.
How is Climate Change connected to Biodiversity? While climate change presents a major threat to ecosystems, healthy ecosystems strengthen our ability to adapt to a changing climate. Nature-based solutions like conserving land, restoring forests and wetlands, and managing land sustainably help remove carbon from the atmosphere, reduce flooding, and make the region more resilient to climate change.
Nature surrounds us. Let`s continue to make space for biodiversity.