One of our main objectives is to encourage better consideration of biodiversity in land use planning. In particular, we want to promote the integration of the ecological network into development plans and urban plans.
Cities, municipalities, and MRC are valuable allies in conservation because they hold the key to many tools that can enable the maintaining and restoring of the ecological connectivity on their respective territories. Indeed, the municipal scale is the most adapted to respond quickly and effectively to local problems resulting from the loss of natural environments. Municipalities already have the regulatory tools to take action! Several jurisdictions have also put forward initiatives to identify and protect their ecological network.
This is why our team creates and maintains close ties with the municipalities on our territory of action. We advise and support them so that development and natural environments can coexist harmoniously.
As part of the Initiative québécoise Corridors écologiques, Appalachian Corridor developed two toolkits to encourage action by key players in land use planning.
These toolboxes, one for municipalities and one for MRC, are intended to be continuously evolving and propose various means for achieving nature-based solutions through the conservation of natural environments connected by ecological corridors. The toolboxes are available on the website www.connectiviteecologique.com.
The toolboxes help to :
- Inform decision-makers about ecological connectivity issues;
- Highlight initiatives that take ecological connectivity into account, particularly its integration into urban planning tools;
- Showcase ecological connectivity as an effective climate change adaptation measure to make communities, infrastructure and public investments more resilient.
We all have a role to play in maintaining nature’s services and protecting plant and animal diversity. Explore the toolboxes to find out how you can contribute. See also existing projects on the interactive map.
Cohabiter avec la nature! – A Transborder document
Appalachian Corridor partnered with WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society) to develop a landowner tool to protect habitats. The guidebook “Cohabiter avec la nature!” was translated in French to provide guidance on wildlife-friendly residential development and land-use planning in the Appalachians of Southern Quebec, thus extending the reach of the original brochure northwards into Canada.
Take action!
Appalachian Corridor’s team presents the toolboxes, the guide, and the steps for taking into account natural environments and connectivity to various audiences on our territory of action. We are available to present to your elected officials, your municipal council or at a specific events. We will be happy to accompany you and guide you according to your objectives.
If your municipality or MRC is based outside of our territory of action, we invite you to contact a conservation organization in your region that will be able to assist you in your efforts. For a list of organizations working throughout the province, visit the Répertoire des sites de conservation volontaire du Québec.