Goal: Protect, support and increase the resilience of local ecosystems, natural assets and biodiversity. The impacts of climate change – such as droughts, floods, storms, wildfires and the spread of invasive species – are leading to habitat decline and species extinction.
Ecosystems and biodiversity are vulnerable to climate change. They also have an important role in adapting to climate change.
Ecosystem protection, restoration and stewardship are important for climate change mitigation and adaptation. For example, old growth forests and wetlands can clean our air and act as carbon sinks. Healthy riparian vegetation and wetlands help prevent flooding and soil erosion.
Protecting Whistler’s ecosystems and biodiversity can help increase our local climate resilience. When nature is supported, nature can better support our community.
Key initiatives
- Develop policy, plans and legislation to protect and restore local ecosystems and also support natural infrastructure services. For example: developing and implementing the Priority Habitat Strategy and Species and Ecosystems at Risk Plan.
- Continue to monitor ecosystem health and biodiversity.
- Prevent and minimize the spread of invasive species.
- Support a healthy, biodiverse and climate resilient Cheakamus Community Forest in partnership with Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) and Líl̓wat Nation.
- Support environmental integration and education opportunities.