A Conservation Strategy Maintaining Ecological Systems And
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A CONSERVATION STRATEGY MAINTAINING ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS AND COMMUNITIES IN THE FACE OF CHANGE NOVEMBER 26, 2007 For The Cariboo-Chilcotin Beetle Action Coalition By Richard L. Case MSc RPBio R.L Case & Associates and Barbara J. Coupé RPF Arboreal Communication Services September 2007 CCBAC Interim EDWG Sector Strategies CCBAC is very pleased to make the Economic Development Working Group interim sector strategies available for use by the sector participants and stakeholders, the CCBAC working groups, the various ministries within the provincial and federal governments, and most importantly the citizens of the Cariboo-Chilcotin. CCBAC is compelled to make this information available as quickly as is possible in order to meet its objective of developing and growing the overall economic activity within the Cariboo-Chilcotin. CCBAC will identify each completed sector strategy as an ‘interim’ document through the use of this cover letter. To CCBAC this means that the interim strategy is a ‘stand alone’ document at the time of its release, and that the interim sector strategy has not been ‘integrated’ with other interim sector strategies in any manner or form. The use of the information contained within the interim sector strategy is the responsibility of the user. CCBAC does not endorse or support any specific use or proposal that uses the interim sector strategy material. CCBAC supports all interim sector strategies in principle only at this time. CCBAC intends to begin the sector strategy integration process immediately. At the conclusion of the integration process CCBAC intends to have completed a community diversification plan for the entire CCBAC area. The interim sector strategies will be an integral part of this plan. For additional information on the attached interim sector strategy, please contact the members of the sector strategy advisory committee, members of the CCBAC EDWG, or Keith Dufresne CCBAC Manager. On the behalf of the CCBAC Board Keith Dufresne, CCBAC Manager 2 Cariboo-Chilcotin “Conservation” Sector Strategy Strategy Process Overview November 2007 The following is a brief overview of the Conservation Strategy development process from its commencement in June 2006 to its completion as an “interim strategy” in November 2007. In contrast to the economic sector strategies which follow a generic strategy outline the Conservation Strategy addresses eight deliverables outlined in the CCBAC RFQ – Conservation Strategy Coordinator. The deliverables are designed to reflect region wide conservation interests and concerns relative to the mountain pine beetle epidemic and it is to be integrated with the other sector strategies. The following briefly outlines the strategy development process from commencement to completion. June 2006 – A day long “Sustainability and the Environment in Transition” forum gathered key players (32 attendees, 90 invited) from the conservation community to identify issues and build a proposal to CCBAC for a Conservation Strategy. September 2006 – A contractor is hired to co-ordinate the development of a Conservation Strategy guided by an advisory group representing conservation interests identified at the June forum (see acknowledgements). December 2006 – A proposal for strategy development is approved by the CCBAC Board. January-March 2007 – One hundred conservation-based groups and organizations from across the region are interviewed for their concerns regarding future environmental sustainability issues especially those driven by the mountain pine beetle epidemic. March-July 2007 – Key issues are synthesized from the inventory and a strategy to ensure community sustainability from an ecosystems perspective is developed. August 2007 – A draft strategy document is presented to the CCBAC Board for review. October 2007 – The Conservation Strategy is approved in principle by the Board with minor revisions requested. November 2007 – Final revisions and additions are completed and the strategy becomes a public document to be integrated with the other strategies in the Regional Diversification Plan. The report is posted to the CCBAC website 3 PREFACE Despite its heft, the Conservation Strategy is a cursory look at many of the “green” topics of the day as they pertain to the Cariboo-Chilcotin. The looming economic ramifications of the mountain pine beetle epidemic instigated this and other strategies for the Cariboo-Chilcotin Beetle Action Coalition. As stated in the official proposal, the intent of the Conservation Strategy is to ensure that environmental quality, resource conservation, local long-term security, and community stability are considered during strategy planning processes. The Conservation Strategy is a “never ending story.” It has been written against a backdrop of rapidly evolving policy, public opinions, and scientific/technological advances. Sustainability at every level of scale—local, national, and global—is the issue of the millennium. People are concerned and want to know what their options are. The authors welcome any comments, concerns and suggestions regarding this strategy. Our contact information is listed below. We look forward to hearing from you. Richard Case: Phone: 1-250-243-2420 Email: [email protected] Barbara J. Coupé Phone: 1-250-305-1052 Email: [email protected] 4 TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES ..................................................................................................................................................................... 10 LIST OF TABLES....................................................................................................................................................................... 10 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS............................................................................................................................................................ 11 ACRONYMS ............................................................................................................................................................................. 13 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................................................................ 16 1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................................... 35 1.1 BACKGROUND........................................................................................................................................................... 35 1.2 SUSTAINABILITY—A PRIMER ................................................................................................................................... 36 1.3 VISION, GOALS, AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES............................................................................................................... 39 1.3.1 Vision Statement .................................................................................................................................................. 39 1.3.2 Goals of the CCBAC Conservation Strategy ....................................................................................................... 39 1.3.3 Guiding Principles............................................................................................................................................... 40 2 REGIONAL CONSERVATION INVENTORY........................................................................................................... 41 3 CONSERVATION FROM A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE—“THE BIG PICTURE”…............................................ 44 3.1 LONG-TERM CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS ON ECOSYSTEMS ...................................................................................... 44 3.1.1 Introduction......................................................................................................................................................... 44 3.1.2 MOFR Climate Change Initiative........................................................................................................................ 46 3.1.3 Managing for Ecological Resilience—Concept................................................................................................... 46 3.1.4 Adapting to climate change—practices to maintain ecological resilience..........................................................47 3.1.5 Facilitating species migration............................................................................................................................. 48 3.1.6 Mitigating Climate Change ................................................................................................................................. 48 3.1.7 Trends.................................................................................................................................................................. 48 3.1.8 Recommendations................................................................................................................................................ 49 3.2 ENERGY SECURITY—PEAK OIL, GAS PRICES, AND ECONOMIC STABILITY .................................................................. 49 3.2.1 Peak oil and future impact in the Cariboo .......................................................................................................... 50 3.2.2 Relocalization for future sustainability ............................................................................................................... 51 3.2.3 Trends.................................................................................................................................................................