biodiversity strategy

As New Brunswick maps out it’s enviromental future, advocates say details matter as much as the goals.

On March 24, the government released a draft of its 2026-2035 Biodiversity Strategy to stakeholders.

The document outlines desired tangible goals, and twelve strategy statements that pledge the government of New Brunswick actions to “reduce threats to biodiversity, improve sustainability and enable a broad range of societal contributions”.

The statements include:

1. Biodiversity considerations are integrated in land use planning and resource management processes
2. Ecosystem functions and services are maintained, restored, and enhanced
3. Protected and conserved areas are expanded and continue to conserve New Brunswick’s biodiversity.
4. Natural spaces are maintained in populated areas
5. Healthy, connected, and resilient native ecosystems are maintained
6. The impacts of invasive alien species are minimized or mitigated
7. The harvest of wild species is carried out sustainably
8. Biodiversity is considered in the design, establishment, and operation of production land
9. The impact of pollution on biodiversity is controlled, reduced, or eliminated
10. Sectors and businesses are aware of risks and accountable for reducing impacts
11. Financing mechanisms and strategic partnerships support priority conservation efforts
12. Relevant government agencies have the necessary authority, expertise, and capacity to steward biodiversity

According to a letter by Natural Resources Minister, John Herron, submitted with the document, the draft was released to stakeholders for the organizations to review it, and complete an online survey to indicate their level of confidence in the draft actions and identify concerns, possible risks and gaps.

Heron said in the letter, the draft goals, statements, and actions for New Brunswick, which build on the 2009 biodiversity strategy, were crafted to “align with the global and national biodiversity goals and targets.”

Beverly Gingras, executive director of the Conservation Council of New Brunswick, said the draft gives organizations a chance to provide input.

“It’s a really important document because biodiversity in Canada, globally has been declining,” she said.

With over 100 species at risk in the province, Gingras said she is “happy” with the work the government has done so far to engage different communities, organizations, and partners to address the future of biodiversity in the province.

However, Gingras said more work can be done.

She explained the council is still reviewing the draft but said they are hoping to see the government release a final strategy with a clear framework to deliver the strategies, and good accountability and reporting mechanisms to identify opportunities to correct initiatives if needed.

“We really want to see what the government is hoping to achieve in the next few years, and how they are going to do that with specific indicators,” she said. “If we don’t have those indicators then we could be doing a lot of actions but not actually accomplishing anything.”

Gingras added that the council is also hoping to see how Indigenous rights and leadership will be incorporated in decision making processes.

According to the draft, one of the province’s main goals is to respect and protect Aboriginal and treaty rights in New Brunswick’s biodiversity conservation efforts.

One of the general calls of action in the draft also includes for businesses, conservation, organizations, and all levels of government to seek to create more opportunities for First Nations communities and Indigenous experts to “inform and guide New Brunswick efforts.”

Gingras said it was important for the council to see what kind of mechanism the government could implement for the co-development of these strategies with Indigenous groups.

“If it’s not in the draft, we’ll be providing some recommendations on how to improve the draft,” she said.

According to the document, stakeholders were able to complete the survey by April 17, but Gingras clarified the deadline was extended until the week of May 20.

In Minister’s Heron letter, he said the final report will be released sometime this summer.