Conservation groups are calling on the next provincial government to take action on B.C.’s declining wildlife populations.

Wildsight is one of a diverse coalition of conservation groups, representing more than 188,000 members and 54,000 supporters, presenting the Fish, Wildlife and Habitat Coalition’s position to B.C.’s political parties.

“British Columbia is known all over the world for its diverse landscapes and unparalleled biodiversity that once included plentiful populations of fish and wildlife. However, a lack of investment in wildlife management, combined with the impacts of resource extraction and a growing human population has severely reduced a number of species and is jeopardizing the future of B.C.’s natural legacy,” states the coalition.

“Wildlife is in trouble, and the politicians need to stand up and take action,” said John Bergenske, Conservation Director for Wildsight, a signatory to the Fish, Wildlife and Habitat Coalition’s statement. “We are calling on the province to prioritize the conservation of wildlife and habitat and to bring in legislation that includes objectives for habitat. This will support recovery of populations and ensure that we do not slip into endangered species recovery across the province. Legislation will ensure equal footing for our mountains, rivers, lakes, forests, fish and wildlife.”

The Coalition’s platform states, “As the province of British Columbia is learning with endangered caribou, it takes orders of magnitude more money to bring species back from the brink than it does to keep species from declining in the first place. B.C. should be striving to strengthen its communities and economy, based on healthy and resilient ecosystems and abundant wildlife. This creates jobs and helps build relationships between First Nations and non-First Nations communities, creating a brighter future for our children.”

The coalition strongly recommends that the province establish new, dedicated funding to restore fish, wildlife and habitat.

“Fish, wildlife and habitat  cannot rely on annual allocation from the Treasury Board, therefore Government must create a permanent endowment for fish, wildlife and habitat stewardship. Government must dedicate all hunting, guide-outfitting, and trapping license fees, all industry wildlife compensation dollars, a portion of the royalties from new resource extraction projects and ensure all those who impact fish, wildlife and habitat pay into the dedicated fund,” said Bergenske.

The groups presenting the platform include Wildsight, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers British Columbia, B.C. Federation of Fly Fishers, BC Trappers Association, BC Wildlife Federation, Canadian Parks And Wilderness Society, Fraser Valley Angling Guides Association, Commercial Bear Viewing Association of BC, Coast to Cascades Grizzly Bear Initiative, British Columbia Federation of Drift Fishers, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Guide Outfitters Association of British Columbia, Outdoor Recreation Council of BC, BC Interior SCI, Traditional Bowhnters British Columbia, United Bowhunters, Watershed Watch Salmon Society, Wild Sheep Society of British Columbia, Wilderness Tourism Association of BC, and Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative.

This is the largest coalition of organizations concerned about wildlife that British Columbia has ever seen, a Wildsight media release noted.

“The decline in wildlife populations and the ongoing loss of habitat has brought people together to demand change. We expect our coalition numbers will continue to grow. We will not give up until we see action to recover BC’s wildlife,” concluded Bergenske.

e-KNOW file photo

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