State of the Conservation Network Report
About the report
The Northwest Territories (NWT) State of the Conservation Network Report reports on indicators and provides a baseline of comparison for future progress towards building a conservation network in the NWT. It includes comprehensive data and information from best available sources, including scientific and traditional ecological knowledge.
This first report (2016) focuses solely on protected areas, as criteria exist for them and they are well-defined in the NWT. As progress is made to define specific criteria for areas to be part of the conservation network, future reports will include information on the conservation network as a whole.
What does the Report contain?
The NWT State of the Conservation Network Report has three sections. The first section covers the planning context in the NWT. The second section describes indicators used to assess the health of protected areas, which contributes to the stewardship section of the NWT State of the Environment Report. The third section outlines the benefits and opportunities gained from a conservation network. The Report concludes with next steps in reporting and where to find more information.
About conservation networks
A conservation network includes protected areas and conservation areas at various scales that collectively contribute more effectively to ecological, economic and social stability, and to maintaining the integrity of ecosystems and biodiversity, than individual sites could alone.
Protected areas are the backbone or core of a conservation network as they are ecologically intact and have the highest level of protection, including prohibiting industrial development. Protected areas are permanent, resilient and are effectively managed and monitored.
Conservation areas are also components of a conservation network and protect various natural and cultural values. They contribute to the conservation network by providing complementary but less restrictive protection than protected areas.