Nature Canada joins Boreal Songbird Network

Nature Canada has joined forces with more than a dozen conservation and birding groups in the US and Canada to raise awareness about the importance of the Boreal forest – particularly to North American migratory birds.

Canada's Boreal forest is one of the largest intact forest ecosystems remaining on Earth. It is 1.3 billion acres in size, stretching from coast to coast across Canada and into Alaska. Fragmented portions of the Boreal forest remain in Russia and Scandinavia.

Known as North America’s Bird Nursery, the Boreal forest is the summer breeding ground for over 300 North American bird species, yet only 8 per cent of this valuable ecosystem is protected. In about the last decade, over 30 per cent of the Boreal has been designated for logging, energy, and other development.

To counter this growing threat to one of the world’s most ecologically valuable forest regions, Nature Canada is working with groups across the continent to educate the public – and elected officials – about the Boreal.

Members of the Boreal Songbird Network include the Boreal Songbird Initiative, Ontario Nature, Bird Studies Canada and a growing number of organizations in Canada and the US. Find out more about the Network.

The Boreal’s Mighty Mackenzie River

Most Canadians have never seen it. But the Mackenzie River is perhaps Canada’s most treasured natural feature. At 4,241 kilometres it is Canada’s longest river, the fifth longest in the world.

Located in the Northwest Territories and virtually untouched by bridges, dams or roads, the Mackenzie flows through the Boreal Forest and supports hundreds of bird and other animal species. Find out more about the Mackenzie River.