Canadian Geographic launches educational project about ecological corridors | CBC News
A national magazine is launching an educational campaign aimed at teaching Canadians about the importance of ecological corridors.
Canadian Geographic, which is published by the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, said the initiative is designed to educate and inspire Canadians about the vital pathways that connect wildlife and ecosystems across the country.
The magazine announced the project — called “Right of Passage” — at a conference on Wednesday in Banff, Alta. The event featured experts from across Canada who discussed the protection of wildlife by strategically connecting protected areas and spaces where wildlife naturally travel.
Ecological corridors are important for many reasons, according to Canadian Geographic. They help wildlife adapt to climate change; reduce human-wildlife conflicts such as road collisions; support wildlife migration, breeding and movement for food and water; and preserve clean air and water in ecosystems across Canada.
The magazine said ecological corridors can exist alongside farms, forests and recreational lands, and are not designated or regulated like national parks.
Right of Passage will distribute educational materials to more than 28,000 teachers across Canada, the magazine said.
Meredith Brown, Canadian Geographic’s director of land and water relations and keynote speaker at the conference, said ecological corridors are natural lifelines for wildlife.
“Humans have made it challenging for many animals to move freely, and as a result, animals are dying and public safety is at risk,” she said. “With Right of Passage, we’re inspiring people across Canada — through interactive learning, storytelling and community action. We all benefit from protecting biodiversity, and creating ecological corridors is great for wildlife and great for community building and collaboration.”
Canadian Geographic’s editor-in-chief, Alexandra Pope, said the magazine will help spread the word about the educational campaign.
“Right of Passage will highlight the local heroes, Indigenous knowledge and innovative conservation efforts that are quietly shaping a more connected and resilient future for Canada’s wildlife,” she said.
To learn more about Right of Passage, visit the project’s website.
