Millions of Boreal Birds Say “Thank You, Ontario!”

Have you heard the wonderful news? Just a few days ago one of the largest conservation actions in history was enacted in the Canadian province of Ontario. This momentous event seems to have received little fanfare from the US popular press, but this is great news for everyone who loves birds and wildlife!

The Ontario government just announced that it will be placing 55 million acres of northern Ontario -- an area twice the size of my home state of Maine -- under conservation protection, such that it will be off-limits to industrial activities, specifically mining and forestry, and designated “strictly for tourism and traditional aboriginal use.”

This huge area, approximately half of Ontario’s remaining boreal forest, is critical habitat for hundreds of millions of boreal forest birds, most of which migrate through or winter in the US. “Emerging economies [in Asia and elsewhere] are hungry for resources and their appetites are only going to grow,” said Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty. “It’s just a matter of time, so that gives us time to plan for that development instead of just letting it happen.”

Scientists worldwide have been calling on Canadian provincial and national governments to protect their vital boreal forest habitats, which are under ever-increasing pressure from logging, mining, and oil & gas exploration. No doubt it took considerable time, dedication and effort on the part of Premier McGuinty and others to influence policy and politics to make this happen.

Besides being home to all those birds, and to mammals like the Pine Marten, Timber Wolf, Black Bear, Porcupine, Lynx and countless other critters, this newly conserved area is a vitally important “lung” for our gasping planet, absorbing over 12 million tons of carbon dioxide annually from the Earth’s atmosphere.

Here’s a link to the announcement:
view link

I also encourage everyone to read this heartwarming and inspiring blog post by Jeff Wells, senior scientist for the Boreal Songbird Initiative:
view link

Protecting the boreal forest
Named after Boreas, the Greek god of the North wind, the Boreal Forest (which also includes lakes, peatlands, freshwater marshes and tundra) covers 2.3 million square miles -- more than the remaining Amazon rain forest. Found in Canada, Russia, Alaska and Scandinavia (as well as a bit in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont), this realm is home to over 300 breeding bird species, many of which nest here and nowhere else.

The boreal forest is absolutely vital to sustaining bird life in the US and Canada, as well as all of North and South America and beyond. Perhaps 4-5 billion birds fly south from here each fall. About 60% of these, including favorites like the White-throated Sparrow, the Purple Finch and the Golden-crowned Kinglet, winter in the US.

Worldwide, only about 8% of the boreal forest is protected. Rampant industrial development threatens the rest. Decisions made in the next five to ten years will determine the future of this ecosystem and its birds and wildlife.

In fact, what happens to the boreal forest will have a huge impact on the habitability of the entire planet. These remaining forests are the world’s largest and most important carbon storehouse. Scientists universally recognize that we need these trees to help stabilize and protect our global climate.

Conserving land here at home
If Ontario can conserve 55 million acres surely we can save a few where we live, too! As birders, many of us care deeply about birds and other wildlife and their habitat.

One great way each of us can participate directly on a local level in land conservation initiatives like the one in Ontario is to join and support your local land trust.

The goal of land trusts in most places (if not universally) is to work with willing landowners to conserve land through purchase, easements, etc. Most if not all land trusts are registered 501c3 non-profit organizations that are almost entirely member-supported.

Land trust members work hard to conserve land and protect habitat, public access to open space, water and air quality, and even the identities and sense of place and purpose of communities that might otherwise be turned into soul-sucking sprawl.

And if you’re an experienced birder or general naturalist, chances are your local land trust will enthusiastically welcome your skills. Land trusts need to survey the parcels they seek to protect. And formal or informal volunteer efforts that can help inform decision-makers about what birds are on the land and water are vitally important. I know first-hand how rewarding and fun it can be to conduct bird surveys as a land trust volunteer! Talk about time well-spent!

Peace and good birding,
Scott Cronenweth
Eons birding mentor
www.naturalpathwalks.com