Educational materials are an essential part of any wildlife campaign, and Canada is no exception. From posters and handbooks to classroom lessons and reference materials, teachers and students have access to a wealth of resources to help them understand the importance of wildlife conservation. The Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) has been at the forefront of this effort, receiving awards such as the Ernest Thompson SETON Award from the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies for its contributions to conservation education. The Scott Islands National Marine Wildlife Area was the first National Marine Wildlife Area established under Canada's Wildlife Act.
This pioneering initiative was designed to protect wildlife in Canada through research, land acquisition, and a national wetland preservation program. Membership was initially limited to the 10 provincial wildlife federations, but in the early 1970s, individual Canadians were allowed to join as well. The Wildlife Area Regulations were updated to better safeguard habitats for migratory birds, endangered species, and other wild animals. The CWF was created to promote understanding of Canada's wildlife resources and ensure that populations of all species were preserved for all Canadians.
The Endangered Species Act was passed to help prevent the disappearance of wildlife species in Canada, as well as manage species of special interest. As a result, 55 national wildlife areas have been designated across Canada, providing approximately 1 million hectares of habitat for wildlife species. The first Federal Advisory Board on Wildlife Protection and the Wildlife Division were created as part of the National Parks Subdivision. The Committee on the Status of Canada's Endangered Wildlife was also established to provide independent advice to the Minister of the Environment on endangered species.
The Canadian Wildlife Act was amended to include all terrestrial species of flora and fauna, as well as all species found within 200 nautical miles of the Canadian coast. This constituted the first parliamentary authority for the creation of marine protected areas in Canada. The Endangered Wildlife Recovery (RENEW) initiative was launched with support from Canada's Council of Wildlife Ministers in order to inform the public about progress made in protecting endangered species. Additionally, Wildlife Forever partnered with more than 2,500 organizations across the country to stop the spread of invasive species with their CLEAN DRAIN DRY initiative.
In recognition of its growing responsibilities to protect nature, Wildlife Service Canada became its own branch within the Department of the Environment. In addition, wildlife vignettes were created in the 1960s as a way to use television to interest people in wildlife conservation. Finally, the Canadian Wildlife Act was passed which allowed for the creation, management and protection of national wildlife areas. Canada is home to a wide variety of wildlife that is essential for maintaining healthy ecosystems and providing recreational opportunities for Canadians.
To ensure that these species are protected for future generations, educational materials are used by organizations such as the Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) and Wildlife Service Canada (WSC). These materials provide information about conservation efforts such as land acquisition and wetland preservation programs, as well as endangered species management initiatives like RENEW and CLEAN DRAIN DRY. Through these materials, teachers and students can learn about how they can help protect Canada's wildlife resources.
