William Housty, the Coastwatch Program Director and a member of the Heiltsuk tribe photographed at Koeye River in the Great Bear Rainforest of British Columbia, Canada. William Housty, the Coastwatch Program Director and a member of the Heiltsuk tribe photographed at Koeye River in the Great Bear Rainforest of British Columbia, Canada. © Mark Godfrey/The Nature Conservancy

Developing Solutions for People and Nature

Nature is the foundation of strong communities and a prosperous economy. Solutions that are good for people must also be good for our underlying natural systems. Our collection of research shows the breadth of our expertise.

Published Science

  • MPAN Monitoring: Supplementary Report

    PDF

    This Supplementary Report provides detailed case studies, expert insights and a literature review on best practices for operationalizing monitoring for marine protected area networks (MPANs).

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  • This report presents global lessons and suggested best practices for operationalizing MPAN monitoring.

    Best Practices for Marine Protected Area Networks

    PDF

    Drawing from five global MPAN case studies, peer reviewed literature and expert interviews, this report presents global lessons and suggested best practices for operationalizing MPAN monitoring.

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  • Commercial Fisher Perceptions

    Understanding how those most connected to fisheries perceive the risks associated with climate change is critical to developing effective responses and establishing management priorities.

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  • A synthesis of the impacts of the 2014–2016 marine heatwave on US and Canada West Coast fisheries.

    Impact of the 2014–2016 Marine Heatwave

    In this paper, we synthesize the impacts of the 2014–2016 marine heatwave on US and Canada West Coast fisheries and extract key lessons for preparing global fisheries science, management, and industries for the future.

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  • scientific paper

    Fish, People and Systems of Power

    PDF

    This essay explores shifting scientific understandings of fish and the evolution of fisheries science, and it grapples with colonialism as a system of power.

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  • Flood Effects on Road–Stream Crossings

    Economic and Ecological Benefits of Stream Simulation Designs

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  • L’initiative Staying Connected

    Pour reconnecter la nature et les humains par-delà les frontières

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  • Study published in Nature: Climate Change with lead authors Susan Cook-Patton and Ronnie Drever

    Protect, manage and then restore lands for climate mitigation

    Study published in Nature: Climate Change with lead authors Susan Cook-Patton and Ronnie Drever

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  • "Natural Climate Solutions for Canada" was published June 4, 2021 by Science Advances

    Natural Climate Solutions for Canada

    This study shows that Canada can reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 78 megatonnes CO2e in 2030 through Natural Climate Solutions.

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  • Guidelines for conserving connectivity
through ecological networks and corridors

    Connectivity Guidelines

    Guidelines for conserving connectivity through ecological networks and corridors co-authored by Jessica Levine

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  • Navigating predator‐induced regime shifts in human‐ocean systems

    Enabling Coexistence

    Navigating predator-induced regime shifts in human-ocean systems by Jenn Burt

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  • Conservation through co-occurrence: Woodland caribou as a focal species for boreal biodiversity by Dr. Ronnie Drever

    Conservation Through Co-Occurrence

    Woodland caribou as a focal species for boreal biodiversity by Dr. Ronnie Drever

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  • A map shows the breadth of work that takes place within our Staying Connected Partnership.

    Staying Connected Initiative

    Map showing the Northern Appalachian-Acadian region, the most intact temperate broadleaf forest in the world.

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Reports and Evaluations

  • Person smiling and standing on a fishing vessel.

    Central Coast Fisheries Investment Initiative

    PDF

    A project overview of Nature United and Central Coast Commercial Fisheries Association (CCCFA) collaboration to raise capital and invest in local commercial harvesting capacity to generate sustained economic, socio-cultural and ecological benefits for Central Coast First Nation communities.

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  • Supporting Indigenous leadership for nature, climate and economies.

    Supporting Indigenous Leadership (EN)

    PDF

    This brief outlines why Canada needs to diversify policy options and broaden funding for Indigenous Nations and communities wanting to conserve nature, reverse biodiversity loss, mitigate climate change and enhance their local economies through Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs).

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  • En appui au leadership autochtone en faveur de la nature, du climat et des économies.

    Supporting Indigenous Leadership (FR)

    PDF

    This brief outlines why Canada needs to diversify policy options and broaden funding for Indigenous Nations and communities wanting to conserve nature, reverse biodiversity loss, mitigate climate change and enhance their local economies through Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs).

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  • Nature United submission to the Standing Committee on Finance's pre-budget consultations in advance of the 2024 budget.

    Budget 2024 Recommendations

    PDF

    This submission offers five recommendations for Finance Canada’s consideration as it prepares to announce the Government of Canada’s 2024 budget.

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  • Submission to the Government of Canada’s consultations towards a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

    Biodiversity Strategy and Accountability Act

    PDF

    Our submission to the Government of Canada’s consultations towards a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

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  • This booklet showcases recent
successes from work in Northwestern Manitoba communities.

    Manitoba Community Highlights

    PDF

    This booklet showcases recent successes in Northwestern Manitoba communities.

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  • For Natural Climate Solutions in Northern Manitoba

    Exploring Wildfire and Carbon

    PDF

    A report on the complex relationships between the boreal landscape, wildfire, carbon, climate change and wildfire management option, as well as potential natural climate solutions that may mitigate carbon loss from wildfire in northern Manitoba.

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  • Valuing nature, climate and productivity in Canadian Agri-food.

    Sustainable Agricultural Value Chains

    PDF

    This report summarizes how a Sustainable Agricultural Value Chains Initiative will accelerate the uptake of beneficial management practices at a regional scale, while driving better outcomes for the sector as a whole.

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  • Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs) for Reducing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions in Prairie Agriculture

    Beneficial Management Practices

    This report describes promising practices for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions in the agricultural sector of the Canadian Prairies.

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  • Nature United's 2023 pre-budget submissions for Canada.

    Budget Recommendations 2023

    PDF

    This submission offers three recommendations for Finance Canada’s consideration as it prepares to announce the Government of Canada’s 2023 budget.

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  • IRRSAP assesses how our organization is living up to our commitments to working in right relations and being a respectful partner.

    Indigenous Right Relations Strategy & Action Plan

    PDF

    Our organization is committed to advancing right relations with Indigenous Peoples. This is a summary of our plan, built on five strategic commitments, will carry us through to 2025, when we comprehensively revisit our organizational strategic plan.

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  • Scorecard with 10 points and pictures of animals.

    COP15 Scorecard

    PDF

    The Global Biodiversity Framework will be a success if it is and includes these 10 elements.

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  • Written Submission for the Pre-Budget Consultations in Advance of the Upcoming Federal Budget

    Submission for the Pre-Budget Consultations

    Nature United's submission for the annual pre-budget consultations in advance of the upcoming federal budget.

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  • Why on-the-land and on-the-water programming is important.

    Supporting Indigenous Youth

    Indigenous knowledge systems, languages, and cultures were developed through the relationship with the land, resulting in an interdependent relationship between the two. Being out on the lands and waters leads to positive outcomes for Indigenous youth.

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  • Considerations and Recommendations
for Initiating Indigenous-led Moose Monitoring and Research

    Moose Summary Report

    A summary report showcasing Considerations and Recommendations for Initiating Indigenous-led Moose Monitoring and Research

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  • A report produced by the Center for Responsible Travel with support from Nature United about the economic impact of bear tourism in the Great Bear Rainforest.

    Economic Impact of Bear Viewing and Bear Hunting

    A report produced by the Center for Responsible Travel with support from Nature United about the economic impact of bear tourism in the Great Bear Rainforest.

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  • Conservation Finance to Support Canada's Target 1

    A Blueprint for Action

    Examines the future of conservation finance and proposes a set of concrete steps to further explore and develop funding opportunities.

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  • for Valuing Coastal Guardian Watchmen Programs

    Valuing Coastal Guardian Watchmen

    A business case for Indigenous Guardian programs prepared by EPI EcoPlan International, Inc. for Nature United and The Coastal Steward Network.

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  • A summary of an evaluation of our Supporting Emerging Aboriginal Stewards (SEAS) program.

    Inspiring the Next Generation

    Evaluating the Indigenous Youth Stewardship Program

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  • An evaluation of the SEAS community initiative completed in 2017.

    Taking Care of What We Know

    An Evaluation of the SEAS Community Initiative

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  • Nature United believes the increased authority of Indigenous peoples to steward their lands and waters
results in durable and lasting solutions for people and nature over time

    Indigenous Rights

    Indigenous Rights and Nature United’s Approach to Conservation

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  • Enduring and effective partnerships are based on shared interests,
mutual respect and open dialogue.

    Building Partnerships

    Nature United’s Guidance for Building Partnerships with Indigenous Peoples

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  • Nature United has developed Communication Guidelines to direct and support our communications with
and about our work with Indigenous partners.

    Communications Guidelines

    Nature United has developed guidelines to direct and support our communications with and about our work with Indigenous partners.

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  • Nature United’s commitment to working in partnership with Indigenous peoples is informed by a number of interrelated factors.

    Supporting Indigenous-led Conservation

    Nature United’s approach to working in partnership with Indigenous peoples.

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  • Report produced for Nature United - Assessment of High Conservation Values in Northwestern Manitoba

    High Conservation Values in Northwest Manitoba

    A comprehensive assessment of ecological values in northwestern Manitoba. Prepared by ArborVitae Environmental Services Ltd., the assessment conforms to the framework of High Conservation Values of the Forest Stewardship Council standard of sustainable forest management.

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  • A briefing summarizing the All Party Parliamentary Group on Fisheries webinar on July 12, 2021.

    Climate Resilience, Lessons from Abroad

    Case studies from around the world on pioneering efforts to build climate resilience into fisheries and coastal communities, including one from Nature United on BC.

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  • Harvester perceptions of Climate Change vulnerability in Canada's Pacific fisheries

    Fishing for Solutions

    Harvester perceptions of climate change vulnerability in Canada's Pacific fisheries

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  • Five steps towards a resilient, competitive and climate-smart Canadian agricultural sector.

    Canada's Agricultural Policy Framework

    Leveraging the Power of Natural Climate Solutions in Canada's Next Agricultural Policy Framework

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  • Understanding how the fund works

    Thaidene Nëné Fund

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Other Tools and Resources

  • Infographic showing the way we work to support Indigenous-Led conservation in Boreal Manitoba.

    Theory of Change

    PDF

    Infographic sharing the way we work to support Indigenous-Led conservation in Boreal Manitoba.

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  • Resulting from the December 2019 workshop hosted by Nature United and Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation.

    Moose Management Guide

    This document draws on the knowledge and wisdom shared at a Moose Management workshop held in Dec. 2018.

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  • An overview of the Indigenous-led land-use planning process.

    Healthy Country Planning

    Learn more about this Indigenous-led process.

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  • A case study of the Healthy Country Planning process

    Managing Land, Living Culture

    A case study showing how Healthy Country Planning helped revitalize fire culture in the Yurok, Hoopa and Karuk Tribes.

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  • A resource for planning your on-the-land Indigenous youth program.

    SEAS Toolkit

    A resource for planning your on-the-land Indigenous youth program.

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