While much of Nunavut is unprotected, the existing protected areas are high-quality and well-positioned. More protections will address unprotected physical habitats, ensuring the ability of wildlife to move between habitats, and provide much-needed stability as the climate changes.
The Arctic environment of Nunavut is a unique habitat in Canada. This vast territory is important for Arctic species, including the declining populations of barren-ground caribou. Areas that will provide stability for wildlife as the climate changes face competing demands from mining and development interests. Well-planned and new protected areas in Nunavut should manage these conflicts by safeguarding Arctic habitats and wildlife for the future. Existing protected areas in Nunavut need help, too. Their low scores in shoreline and stream habitats signal that insufficient protection may be inhibiting the recovery of freshwater-dependent species. To address gaps, a more cohesive and connected protected network could be built through the Nunavut Land Use Plan, which will provide significant benefits to wildlife.
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The Boothia Peninsula – Aqviqtuuq in Inuktitut – is an area of thriving biodiversity and a priority region for Inuit. The site is an important calving ground for threatened barren-ground caribou which makes potential mining exploration especially concerning.
Help protect threatened species and their habitats.
