ROOM LIST

From Within

  • Wildlife plays a vital role in the processes that are essential to life itself, as the countless interactions between plants, animals, and microorganisms are crucial for the functioning of ecosystems.
  • The current rate of biodiversity loss in Canada is alarming, with over 5,000 wild species considered at risk of extinction. This amounts to one in five species in danger of disappearing.
  • More than 100 species at risk exist only in Canada, meaning they face global extinction if they disappear here. This places a unique responsibility on Canadians to help preserve and recover these species.
  • Biodiversity loss is primarily caused by habitat degradation, climate change, pollution, and invasive species.
  • Human activities like agricultural expansion, rapid urbanization, and industrial land use have destroyed 85% of southern Ontario's forests and 75% of Canada’s prairies.
  • Apart from the ecological importance, many Indigenous communities in Canada have deep connections to the natural world and rely on biodiversity for their livelihoods and cultural practices.
  • Canada’s biodiversity loss parallels the global trend, with a striking 69% drop in worldwide wildlife population sizes over the past 50 years.
  • Global marine populations have also been halved in the past 50 years alone. Unless we make significant changes, a staggering 90% of the world’s marine species could be on the brink of extinction by 2100.
  • In addition to animals, 75% of the world’s plant genetic diversity has been lost since the 1900s.
  • Despite these grim statistics, it's important to note that recovery for many of these species is possible when comprehensive conservation measures are put into place.
  • Financially back eco-friendly products and services to diminish strain on endangered species and habitats. Your purchasing power plays a crucial role in promoting sustainability.
  • Plant Native Species: If you have a garden, use native plants which support local insects and birds. This can help enhance local biodiversity.
  • Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Minimize your waste production and carbon footprint by following these principles. Every small effort helps to mitigate climate change and pollution.
  • Minimize your impact on biodiversity loss by adopting sustainable food practices. Reduce your meat consumption, avoid overfished species, and choose organic and locally grown products.
  • Combat invasive species by participating in community efforts to remove invasive plants or animals that threaten local ecosystems.
Donate to the David Suzuki Foundation and sign their petition on protecting and conserving the Woodland Caribou.
David Suzuki Foundation
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David Suzuki Foundation
Sign Their Petition
Donate to Greenpeace Canada and help protect endangered species, save ancient forests, and keep the climate stable for future generations.
Greenpeace Canada
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Habitat loss, pollution, and invasive species pose major threats to Canada's biodiversity, both in the ocean and on land. The loss of species can have ecological, economic, and cultural implications, affecting entire ecosystems, industries, and Indigenous communities. To combat this issue, Canada has implemented measures such as protected areas, species at risk legislation, and habitat restoration programs, but more action is needed to ensure the long-term survival of biodiversity.

Ocean

North Atlantic Right Whale
  • North Atlantic Right Whales typically swim at slow speeds of only 3-4 km/h. Their slow pace made them an "easy catch" for whalers, leading to them being named the "right" whale to hunt.
  • They play a significant role in nutrient cycling. They provide essential nutrients that promote phytoplankton growth, a foundational part of the marine food chain.
  • Right whales are endangered, threatened primarily by ship collisions and entanglement in fishing gear. They're one of the most endangered large whales, with an estimated population of only 366.
  • Some scientists believe these whales have gone extinct in the eastern North Atlantic and now survive only along the east coast of the U.S. and Canada.
Bluefin Tuna
  • Bluefin Tuna are capable of swimming up to 70 km/h, making them one of the fastest fish species.
  • They are top predators and play a key role in maintaining balance in the marine ecosystem.
  • Bluefin Tuna are severely threatened due to overfishing, particularly for the sushi market. Current conservation measures are struggling to rebuild their population.
Beluga Whale
  • Beluga Whales are also known as "canaries of the sea" because they produce a variety of sounds like clicks, chirps, whistles, and clangs.
  • As predators, they maintain the ecosystem's balance, controlling the population of their prey species.
  • Beluga whales are also culturally important to indigenous communities in the Arctic.
  • Like polar bears, beluga whales depend on sea ice for its existence and can be directly impacted by climate change.
  • Beluga Whales face threats from hunting, habitat loss due to climate change, and increasing noise pollution that interferes with their communication and navigation.

Lakes and Rivers

Freshwater Mussels
  • These mussels are vital for water filtration, as they consume bacteria, algae, and organic matter, which improves water quality.
  • Freshwater mussels are among the most threatened groups of animals due to pollution, habitat loss, and climate change.
  • Of the approximately 300 species of freshwater mussels occurring in North America, over 70% are considered endangered, threatened, or of special concern due to the degradation of freshwater streams and rivers.
Chinook Salmon
  • Chinook Salmon have the longest migration route of any salmon, sometimes traveling thousands of kilometers upstream to reproduce.
  • They are a crucial food source for a variety of wildlife and are integral to both marine and freshwater ecosystems.
  • The Yukon River’s Chinook Salmon runs, once abundant with these fish, have declined by a catastrophic 95%.
  • Chinook Salmon populations are declining due to overfishing, habitat loss, pollution, and climate change.
Lake Trout
  • Lake Trout are one of the longest living freshwater fish, with some known to live up to 60 years.
  • They are an apex predator in many freshwater ecosystems and thus play a vital role in maintaining a healthy balance in these habitats.
  • Lake Trout are threatened by overfishing, invasive species, pollution, and habitat loss due to climate change.
Black Bear
  • Despite their name, black bears can be found in a range of colors, from black to brown, cinnamon, and even white.
  • Black bears are important for the proper functioning of their ecosystem. They assist in seed dispersal, nutrient distribution, and population control.
  • In addition to their ecological importance, black bears hold significant cultural and symbolic value for many Indigenous and local communities across Canada.

Forests

Woodland Caribou
  • The woodland caribou is one of the few animals capable of seeing ultraviolet light, which is thought to help them spot lichens and predators in the snow.
  • These caribou are a crucial part of the food chain in the boreal forest, feeding wolves, bears, and human communities.
  • They also help ensure the survival of ecosystems, with their foraging and droppings adding nutrients to the soil and water.
  • Woodland Caribou are at risk due to habitat loss from industrial activities such as logging, mining, and oil and gas development.
Moose
  • Moose are the largest members of the deer family, with some individuals capable of reaching 10 feet tall and weighing 725 kilograms. They are also incredibly fast, reaching speeds up to 55 km/h.
  • They can be adversely affected by climate change and human activity, as they suffer from heat stress in warmer temperatures and are vulnerable to being struck by vehicles on roads .
Monarch Butterfly
  • The Monarch butterfly is one of the best-known species of butterfly in the world. In Canada, it ranges from Alberta to Newfoundland, with extensive breeding in southern Ontario and southern Quebec.
  • Each fall, Monarch butterflies from Canada travel approximately 4,000 kilometers to Mexico to escape the cold.
  • Along with many other insects, it is a pollinator, helping to transfer pollen from one flowering plant to another. This fertilizes the plants so they can produce seeds and fruit. Without pollinators, many crops and wildflowers would not exist.
  • Despite their importance, the Monarch population has notably decreased in recent years, attributed to habitat loss, pesticide exposure, and climate change.
  • The Monarch population has declined between 22% and 72% over the past decade. The western population is at the greatest risk of extinction, having declined by 99.9% in the past 40 years, from as many as 10 million to 1,914 butterflies.