Federal Ecological Corridors

Working with nature to stop biodiversity loss and fight climate change

A network of protected and conserved areas in Canada is key for preserving biodiversity. It also helps to address impacts of climate change by protecting and restoring ecosystems and contributing to the recovery of species at risk.

Connected landscapes

To continue to play their important role, protected and conserved areas must also be connected. That is where ecological corridors come into play.

Ecological corridors are areas of land and water that allow species to move, and natural processes to flow freely across large landscapes. They:

  • help species adapt to climate change
  • lessen the impact of human development on natural habitats
  • improve the ecological integrity of protected and conserved areas
  • connect various habitat types needed for species' different life stages, including migration
  • support vital ecosystem services like provision of food and clean air, as well as nutrient, and water cycles
  • promote human-wildlife coexistence and ways for people to connect with nature.

Collaborating to support ecological corridors

The National Program for Ecological Corridors will support the conservation of ecological corridors in key areas across Canada. Parks Canada will seek to collaborate with other levels of government, partners, experts, and stakeholders to develop national criteria for the identification of corridors and map where they would be most helpful for biodiversity conservation.

The program will support on-the-ground work and will also aim to inspire and enable others to take their own actions related to ecological corridors. This will include working with Indigenous partners to ensure that the program provides land stewardship and connection opportunities, and is informed by Indigenous knowledge.

Learn More: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/nature/science/conservation/corridors-ecologiques-ecological-corridors