Canada

From arctic tundra to rich boreal forests and wetlands.

Our Canada program is a key part of Audubon’s total-flyway conservation vision that uses applied science to ensure that bird conservation efforts are initiated at the places and at the scales necessary to protect birds throughout their full lifecycles. Audubon is working to elevate support for initiatives such as the Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas and Indigenous Guardians programs across Canada.

Science-based conservation strategies help to protect large landscapes—including forests, wetlands, and coastal habitats—from the threats of development and the effects of climate change. Canada now has some of the world’s largest modern land-conservation designations, which are protecting critical habitat for tens of millions of migratory birds. But there is more work to be done to ensure permanent protection and stewardship of these lands.
Indigenous Nations are currently pursuing some of the most ambitious plans for preserving lands and waters across Canada. Together, these Indigenous-led proposals could protect more than 100 million acres of critically important Boreal Forest habitat, a place often referred to as North America’s bird nursery. 

What We're Doing

1
Support for Indigenous-led Conservation
working in collaboration with Indigenous governments and communities to advance their conservation and land stewardship goals
2
Voices for Conservation
increasing awareness of and support for the conservation of vital bird habitat across Canada
3
Conservation Science
developing science that highlights the conservation values and priorities for ecologically important regions across Canada
Sunset over a lake by Lutsel K'e.
Lutsel K'e. Photo: Christine Lin
  •  Over 300 bird species nest in or regularly migrate through the Boreal Forest in Canada.
  • Canada contains the world’s largest total area of wetland habitat. Wetlands are rich in biodiversity, plus they play an important role in natural climate solutions.
  • The Boreal Forest in Canada is one of the world’s largest intact forest ecosystems and one of the most important regions for birds in the Western Hemisphere.
Learn more

The Latest

graphic of three polar bears and info for Tawich in the City event
Tawich in the City
August 12, 2024 — An Event Celebrating Canada's Great Inland Sea on Sept. 25 at 7pm
Pink-footed Shearwater flying over the sea.
Canadian Governments and Indigenous Nations Create the Great Bear Sea Agreement
June 26, 2024 — Audubon applauds this giant step to permanently protect a globally important marine ecosystem.
Canada geese in flight over water.
Canada Delivers Biodiversity Leadership with 2030 Nature Strategy and Nature Accountability Act
June 21, 2024 — Audubon celebrates Canada’s proposal to enshrine its international biodiversity commitments into law
Boreal Conservation
Providing support for Indigenous-led conservation and large-scale land protections across the Boreal Forest of Canada.

Our Team

Jeff Wells

Vice President, Boreal Conservation

Lane Nothman

Program Director, Boreal Conservation

Photo of Rebecca wearing a light green shirt in front of a barn.

Rebecca Sentner

Senior Communications Manager, Boreal Conservation

Photo of Carrie Gray smiling at the camera. She is wearing a gray knit beanie, a white and red patterned scarf, and a blue winter jacket.

Carrie Gray

Boreal Conservation Specialist

Kohl Barrault

Indigenous Collaboration Coordinator

Véronique Couttee

Véronique Couttee-Jenkins

Knowledge Transfer and Outreach Specialist