Indigenous Peoples have an important role in helping to protect sensitive ecosystems and wildlife. By co-developing Indigenous-led monitoring programs, Canada, working together with Indigenous Peoples, will improve knowledge of these sensitive areas, and in turn improve our emergency preparedness, response, and recovery.
Through the first phase of the Oceans Protection Plan, Environment and Climate Change Canada engaged British Columbia coastal First Nations through workshops on marine bird monitoring and identification. The department also worked together with Indigenous Peoples to conduct field studies in British Columbia that involved tracking seabirds to learn more about how they use marine habitat during breeding, and to collect important information about contaminants in their diet.
In the next phase of the Oceans Protection Plan, Environment and Climate Change Canada will continue to work with Indigenous Peoples to conduct research and monitor marine birds and their habitats. They will co-develop community-based monitoring, field training, and capacity building programs about marine birds.
These monitoring and stewardship initiatives will continue to expand support support for emergency preparedness, response, and recovery in British Columbia and build capacity in Indigenous communities and their traditional marine and coastal territories. In the next phase, these programs will also be piloted in other regions of Canada.