Abstract

Drafting a Conservation Blueprint for Labrador, Canada
Track: Conservation
Authors: Lindsay Notzl, Randal Greene

Labrador, Canada is a vast land of forest and shore, of taiga and coast. At 294,330 km2, "The Big Land is larger than the rest of Atlantic Canada combined. Its Torngat Mountains boast the highest peaks east of the Rockies, and its ecosystems are among the most intact remaining in the world.
Sparsely populated, Labrador presents conservation opportunities long foregone across much of North America. However, the region is poised to undergo rapid change over coming decades, as hydro projects, roads, mines and other developments intensify.
In 2009, the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) embarked on a large-scale planning project to map areas of high conservation value throughout Labrador. Along the way, many of the ideas underpinning traditional conservation planning approaches have been challenged. This presentation will outline cutting-edge concepts and GIS techniques used to assess high value areas, and highlight areas where NCC recommends future conservation efforts be focused.