From Policy to Action: Education for Wetland Conservation Sharina - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
From Policy to Action: Education for Wetland Conservation Sharina Kennedy, Environment and Sustainable Resource Development March, 2014 Outline What is a Wetland? Why Wetland Conservation? Alberta Wetland Policy Overview Role
Sharina Kennedy, Environment and Sustainable Resource Development March, 2014
Bog Fen Swamp Marsh Shallow Open Water
habitats on earth (comparable to coral reefs and rainforests)
humans:
– Water Quality – Hydrology – Biodiversity – Cultural and recreational
White (settled) Area of the province.
acres per day (DUC)
– Restoration has occurred at a rate of 14 acres per day – For every acre we restore, we lose 5.7
rainforest at .4% annually)
term benefit of all Albertans.
impacts, and, where necessary, replacing lost wetland value.
areas where losses have been high.
Functions: Outcomes of natural wetland processes (the things that wetlands DO) Benefits: The results of the functions that are useful to humans
Wetland Value: The importance that humans place on the benefits that wetlands provide
nature and biodiversity
store 4-5 million litres of floodwater
storage of Glenmore reservoir every 2 years due to wetland drainage in S. Alberta! (DUC) “Wetland mitigation and restoration are highly cost effective measures that should be considered as sound investments to decrease flooding in the Bow River Basin”
Source: www.earthlyissues.com
diverse in form, function, use, and distribution across the province – they are not all of equal value.
decisions will be made based
– “Remote-based” or provincial level assessment system is currently being developed: this will be a GIS-based map to be used for planning purposes – Site-level, “rapid” wetland assessment method (based
being developed
Practitioner (QWSP) to replace the current Qualified Wetland Aquatic Environment Specialist (QWAES)
WESPAB: A spreadsheet with a suite of models for assessing 14 wetland ecosystem services at a site scale.
Specific Wetland Functions: Relative Effectiveness of the Function Relative Benefits of the Function Water Storage 7.89 4.21 Streamwater Cooling 2.14 6.23 Sediment Retention & Stabilization 6.62 6.95 Phosphorus Retention 5.73 6.49 Nitrate Removal 8.21 3.20 Carbon Sequestration 4.30 Organic Nutrient Export 8.29 Aquatic Invertebrate Habitat 9.44 3.69 Fish Habitat 5.26 7.81 Amphibian Habitat 6.67 3.15 Waterbird Habitat 0.00 4.20 Songbird, Raptor, & Mammal Habitat 8.77 6.14 Pollinator Habitat 5.54 5.16 Native Plant Diversity 6.42 8.19 Public Use & Recognition 6.67
The Wetland Replacement Matrix
Value of Replacement Wetland
D C B A A 8:1 4:1 2:1 1:1 B 4:1 2:1 1:1 0.5:1 C 2:1 1:1 0.5:1 0.25:1 D 1:1 0.5:1 0.25:1 0.125:1
Value of Lost Wetland
*Ratios are expressed as hectares of wetland
Avoidance: Preferred response to preventing impacts on wetlands. Minimization: Where avoidance is not possible, proponents will be expected to minimize impacts on wetlands. Replacement: As a last resort, and where avoidance and minimization efforts are not feasible or prove ineffective, wetland replacement will be required.
Replace
Replace
Capacity for personal or collective
action toward wetland conservation Problem solving, critical thinking and wetland stewardship skills Attitudes of appreciation and concern for wetland sustainability Knowledge and understanding of wetland systems and relationship to human life General Awareness of the existence
Adapted from 2007 Campaign for Environmental Literacy
Outcome 1:
Albertans understand and appreciate the social, ecological, and economic value and importance of wetlands
Outcome 2:
Albertans understand and comply with the Alberta Wetland Policy, and undertake their role in its implementation.
Photo: Aquality Environmental Consulting
Outcome 3:
Albertans undertake wetland stewardship and conservation action through avoidance and minimization of wetland impacts first and foremost.
1) Land Use Planning
– Regional Land Use Plans, Municipal Plans, Watershed Management Plans, etc.
2) Municipal Development Authorization
– Stage where land development within county is planned and authorized
3) Regulatory Approvals
– Water act approvals/compliance
– Planners, land managers – Land Surveyors and Realtors
– Including ESRD, ARD and other ministries – WPACs, Ducks Unlimited and other Restoration Agencies
Literacy Outcomes/Key Messages:
investment in “natural capital”
nature” (instead of against it)
Literacy Outcomes/Key Messages:
protect high value wetlands
significant wetland impacts
Approaches:
stewardship
Literacy Outcomes/Key Messages:
associated legislation
investment in “natural capital”
Approaches:
“The land was very wet 30 years ago. I spent my whole life draining it. Now I’m working just as hard to bring the wetlands back. Restoring my wetlands will improve my stock water and late season grazing for
Literacy Outcomes/Key Messages:
– Understand and appreciate wetland functions and benefits – Understand the negative consequences of continued wetland loss – Identify wetlands near their communities; especially those of high relative value – Demonstrate active wetland stewardship – Take precaution to avoid impacts to wetlands while recreating – Experience the wetland environment – Demonstrate appreciation and concern for wetland conservation
Approaches:
– PSAs or media ads – “Virtual wetland tour” videos – Update/expand existing tools and resources – Lesson plans for informal/formal education – Interpretive programs – Websites/Social Media
Literacy Outcomes/Key Messages: – Understand the wetland policy – Be able to use the site-level relative wetland value assessment tool – Understand their role in identifying wetlands of high value and including protection measures in appropriate planning processes – Continue their role in supporting appreciation and stewardship of local wetlands through education and community based stewardship activities (e.g. WPACs)
Approaches: – Conferences, forums – Internal newsletters, articles, etc. – Workshops/presentations on value assessment tools, etc. – Grant program and resource/tools
.
.
doing
Sharina Kennedy sharina.kennedy@gov.ab.ca (403) 341-8676 Glenn Gustafson glenn.gustafson@gov.ab.ca (780) 960-8631