Welcome to the Great Bear Sea. Explore one of Canada s most precious ecological treasures, page 4

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1 MAGAZINE SPRING 2012 Living Planet magazine for Canadian WWF supporters Welcome to the Great Bear Sea Explore one of Canada s most precious ecological treasures, page 4 Put an end to poaching WWF is working to stop tiger poachers in their tracks Page 3 River Revitalization Restoring the wetlands of the St. Lawrence River Page 3 Go Team Earth Hour! Earth Hour alumni share ideas to make this year s main event a team event Page 7

2 Darcy Dobell / WWF-Canada f r o m t h e p r e s i d e n t The future of the Great Bear is in our hands Save the date Mark these upcoming WWF events on your calendar. March 31: Earth Hour wwf.ca/earthhour April 13-15: Green Living Show, Toronto. Visit Canada s Oceans and You, an exhibit put on by WWF and the Royal Ontario Museum, presented by Loblaw Companies Ltd. April 19: April 21: The Canada Life CN Tower Climb: Team Challenge The Canada Life CN Tower Climb: Public Climb wwf.ca/cntower L ast fall, I had the opportunity to be in the Great Bear Sea and Rainforest on the North coast of B.C., and by any standards it s an ecological treasure. This extraordinary region is the only place in the world where the Spirit Bear is found, a creature rarer than the giant panda. Humpbacks, orcas and many other species of cetaceans prosper in this uniquely quiet and cold ocean, and eagles are as plentiful as sparrows in Canada s urban parks. The rivers some of the largest last wild waterways in the world are home to five species of Pacific salmon, providing the basis for a prosperous fishery. When spawned out, or dragged into the forest by grizzlies and bald eagles, these fish deliver the nitrogen needed to grow trees to a size they have no business reaching at this latitude. This in turn allows for healthy and sustainable forestry. Ironically, what s made Great Bear somewhat of a household name over the past few months is a proposal to build a 1,170-kilometre pipeline through one the richest and most spectacular ecosystems on our planet. Hearings are currently underway for the Northern Gateway project, which would cut across countless salmon rivers and see more than 200 supersized tankers a year carrying toxic crude oil through narrow fjords and out into some of the world s most treacherous seas. B.C. s Coastal First Nations know well that Great Bear s value as a functioning ecosystem dwarfs the fleeting promise of short-term cash from oil revenues. If this development were proposed for the Amazon or the Great Barrier Reef, people around the world would engage. And we hope local and global citizens alike join us in our fight to protect the Great Bear. It s time to send a clear message: This is no place for a pipeline. Visit us online! You ll find great videos, stories, blogs and more at wwf.ca You can also check us out at facebook.com/wwfcanada twitter.com/wwfcanada Andrew S. Wright / WWF-Canada For a living planet, Gerald Butts, President and CEO PS: Experience this spectacular place through our photo essay on page 4, and learn how you can influence the decisions being made about the future of the Great Bear region Panda symbol WWF-World Wide Fund For Nature (also known as World Wildlife Fund) WWF and living planet are WWF Registered Trademarks. For more information about WWF, or to receive your newsletter electronically, visit wwf.ca Living Planet 2012 spring issue Page 2

3 naturepl.com / Edwin Giesbers / WWF Putting an end to tiger poaching What: Why: Toward Zero Poaching is WWF s initiative to stop tiger poachers in their tracks and recover the world s dwindling tiger populations. Poaching is devastating the wild tiger populations. Sadly, different tiger parts (claws, teeth, and whiskers) are believed to provide good luck and protective powers, while trade in tiger skins is on the rise. We have lost 97 per cent of our wild tigers in just over a century. With as few as 3,200 remaining, we need to act now to increase and strengthen the tiger s habitat and protect this species from major threats, such as poaching. Where: WWF works with the 13 countries that are home to the world s last wild tigers, including Russia, India, and China. These are known as the tiger countries. When: Later this year, the tiger countries and partners will meet at a Tiger Summit to talk about critical tiger breeding habitats that need to be made free from poaching. How: WWF is taking a stance on protecting the tiger s heartland the forests, savannahs, and wetlands where wild tigers live and breed. The habitat for tigers has shrunken to just seven per cent of what was once available to the species. As a result, tigers have become restricted to a very few pockets within their remaining habitat, making them even more vulnerable to poachers. Protecting this species breeding grounds is crucial to increasing the tiger population. Another step in the plan to banish poaching is to increase the number of field staff working in core areas and encourage them to take the lead in tiger population recovery. Kathryn Dorrell TIP: If you love tigers, you can symbolically adopt one and support our conservation work. Your gift includes an adorable tiger stuffie. Visit our online store at wwf.ca istock.com River restoration Planning a new way forward in Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River I n the coming months, the public will get a look at a proposed new plan that aims to restore wetlands and ecosystems in the St. Lawrence River. Here, river otters, beluga whales, and more than 100 species of fish live among internationally recognized wetlands that have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage and Ramsar (an international water organization) sites. The St. Lawrence system has been dammed to generate hydropower, and diverted and dredged to form the St. Lawrence Seaway one of the world s busiest shipping corridors. Water flows and levels have been highly modified, and restoring environmental flows is a top priority to help save the 20 or more animal and plant species that are listed as vulnerable, threatened, or endangered in the region. At the end of January, the International Joint Commission (ijc.org; an organization set up by the U.S. and Canadian federal governments to help manage transboundary water issues) released a draft plan for the Canadian aquatic icon. The plan shows the commission is committed to an open and transparent public consultation process, as the group works toward ensuring water for nature and people. What s more, the approach is based on sound science and collaboration among Ontario and Quebec, New York, and both federal governments. WWF has reviewed the draft, as released to date, and will be watching this process closely. We believe this proposal will bring us a big step closer to returning environmental flows to the river and ensuring a return of a healthier river. We are working with business and NGOs to build support for the approach the IJC is taking to this historic region Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River. Elizabeth Hendriks, Policy Advisor, WWF-Canada Living Planet 2012 spring issue Page 3

4 The Great Bear Region: Canada s Amazon Andrew S. Wright / WWF-Canada This is one of the richest ecosystems on Earth, where rainforest, river, and sea come together as a single living system. At WWF, we are working on smart ocean planning to ensure that our oceans remain healthy and productive. The Great Bear Sea is an important feeding and rearing ground for humpback whales. This is one of the few places on Earth where these whales have been recorded singing outside their breeding grounds. At WWF, we are working on ocean noise issues to help protect this ocean habitat. Tim Irvin / WWF-Canada Living Planet 2012 spring issue Page 4

5 Andrew S. Wright / WWF-Canada Estuaries provide vital nursery habitat for many seafood species, and estuary grasses are key to the diet of grizzly bears. At WWF, we are working on river health to help sustain healthy fresh water and estuary ecosystems. The Great Bear Rainforest Agreement among First Nations, governments, forest companies and ENGOs established a world-leading model of sustainability. At WWF, we are working with our partners and allies to extend this model into the sea. No Place for a Pipeline The Northern Gateway Project proposes to build an oil pipeline from the Alberta tar sands through the Great Bear, Canada s Amazon. This massive project will cut through the heart of this spectacular ecosystem. You can influence this decision. You can help protect the Great Bear region. Now is your time to take action. The Joint Review Panel is accepting letters of comment until August 31, Share your views and concerns online at gatewaypanel.review-examen.gc.ca and click on Submit Documents Electronically. Andrew S. Wright / WWF-Canada Living Planet 2012 spring issue Page 5

6 5 things to know about Ziya Tong Canada Life CN Tower Climb for WWF-Canada metres tall Co-host of Daily Planet (Canada s daily science show on the Discovery Channel), Ziya Tong has a passion for science and the natural world. Here, she talks to Living Planet (LP) magazine about her outlook on the environment Darren Goldstein for Discovery Channel ,776 steps She wants to get Canadians excited about WWF s work. I joined the WWF-Canada board of directors in November WWF is a real repository of wonderful information for people and the work that s being done is awe-inspiring. It s a place where things get done, so it s a very positive place to be. She s crazy about oceans. If I had to choose just one area, it would be oceans. I m a diver and I have been lucky enough to dive in many places around the world and I truly love the ocean. That s why I feel it s so important to protect the dwindling marine life and the beautiful corals that are bleaching out, and to raise awareness about ocean acidity and work to ban unsustainable shark finning. She thinks twice before she buys anything new. I buy wisely and think about owning things long term. I like to think of it as buying future antiques. For example, I bought an old wood table off Craigslist and had a local artist named Jon Todd punk it up it s a true art piece now and I d love to see it in my grandchild s kitchen one day. For the longest time my mobile phone was old and huge, and looked like a TV remote control. But it dialled, so I kept it until it stopped working completely. Now, I have one made of biodegradable materials. I would like to see us return to the age of fixing things. For example, I love my boots and have had them resoled three times. Her gig on Daily Planet is a dream job. It s my passion and something that I ve always wanted to do. I get to share stories about wacky environmental innovations and talk to leading thinkers about important issues it s always inspiring and a lot of fun. And her favourite animal is Oooh, that s so hard! I love so many, but I would say that I have a penchant for full-on ugly animals. I love the aye-aye in Madagascar and the rather strange looking okapi in the Congo. Kathryn Dorrell Living Planet 2012 spring issue Page flights of stairs Takes the average person 40 minutes to climb In 2011, 6,300 people took part in WWF s CN Tower climb Last year, WWF climbers and sponors raised $1.2 million Sign up TODAY for this year s climb wwf.ca/cntower

7 WWF/Sean Kelland After the hour was up, the family of five compared notes. It made for a great conversation about what is sharing the habitat around our house, says David. The Lins have also spent the hour checking out community events, such as visiting a local science centre with Earth Hour activities. This year, they might visit an observatory. Lights Off, Game On The first year Jan Jackson and her spouse celebrated Earth Hour, her guests listened by candlelight to a hilarious short story written by her husband about an Earth Hour celebration gone awry. We invited over friends who had vaguely heard of Earth Hour; they thought it was so neat, says Jan. After moving to Huntsville, Ont., an Earth Hour stroll through town convinced Jan that not a lot was happening in the community to mark the hour. This year, Jan embraced the role of team captain and helped start up a variety show called This Earth Hour has 86 Minutes, put on by the community theatre group she joined. The evening will include skits, improv and a retro radio play. Guests are asked to bring their flashlights. One of the best ways to educate people is through fun, says Jan. Go Team Earth Hour! Earth Hour alumni share top 4 plays to make this year s main event a team event T here s nothing wrong with sitting at home, alone, for an hour, in the dark while reflecting on the plight of the environment. But this year, our Earth Hour veteran coaches are driving home the message that the future of our planet requires a team effort. When it comes to fighting climate change, it doesn t matter who you are or where you come from we re all on the same team. Why not unite with your fellow teammates your family and friends on Saturday, March 31 to practise some foolproof Earth Hour plays? Here are a few fun ways that your team can show the planet that you re in it to win it. Rock the Block For the last four years, Diane More of Markham, Ont., has invited family, friends and neighbours to her place to join the team and celebrate Earth Hour. Diane lights up the evening with candles including a giant 60 on her front lawn made with glowing tea lights placed in cups prepares food ahead of time and then unplugs everything, including the fridge and stove. It s become a family tradition. Our boys are 28 and 25, and all their friends come. We even have a cake with a big 60 on it, says Diane. In celebrations past, her sons showed their team spirit by designing a fun nighttime golf course on their lawn. Another favourite activity is to simply walk around town and enjoy seeing many areas in quiet darkness. Ghosts and Gazing By Karen Stiller When was the last time you sat in your backyard and simply listened to the nighttime noise? That s one of David Lin s recommendations for Earth Hour. Two years ago, the Lins, who live in North York, Ont., sat in lawn chairs with their jackets on and documented everything they heard. Spread the word Show your spirit and get your community involved this year by trying out more plays from the Team Earth Hour Playbook. The Green Squad - Get your eco-minded co-workers together and start a green team at work. The Chef s Special - Encourage your local restaurants and pubs to join in on the celebration. Perhaps they can host candlelit dinners with Earth Hour-themed drinks, food, and prizes! The Wallpaper - Spread the word about Earth Hour by putting posters on classroom doors and throughout the school, including the teachers lounge. The Power Struggle - Hold an officewide contest to see who can remember to power down and unplug their computer, monitor, and chargers the most during the week leading up to Earth Hour. However you choose to celebrate Earth Hour this year on Saturday, March 31, just don t do it alone. After all, there s no I in Team Earth Hour. Visit us online at wwf.ca/earthhour. Check out our exclusive Team Earth Hour Playbooks, filled with fun ways to celebrate Earth Hour and fight climate change all year. Living Planet 2012 spring issue Page 7

8 LIVING PLANET spring 2012 ISSUE Why we are here. We are creating solutions to the most serious conservation challenges facing our planet, helping people and nature thrive. wwf.ca President: Gerald Butts President Emeritus: Monte Hummel Chairman: Roger Dickhout Editor: Kathryn Dorrell WWF, Eglinton Avenue East, Toronto, ON M4P 3J1 Canada Toll-Free: Website: wwf.ca WWF-Canada is a federally registered charity (No RR0001), and an official national organization of World Wide Fund For Nature, headquartered in Gland, Switzerland. WWF is known as World Wildlife Fund in Canada and the U.S.Published (March 2012) by WWF-Canada, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Any reproduction in full or in part of this publication must mention the title and credit the above-mentioned publisher as the copyright owner. text (2012) WWF-Canada. No photographs from this production may be reproduced. All rights reserved. front cover Andrew S. Wright / WWF-Canada can WWF.ca