Mitigating the effects of climate change may seem like an insurmountable goal and the solutions seem beyond humankind’s ability to overcome. Though there are many pieces to solving this puzzle, one effective strategy we have is to conserve intact natural areas. Protected areas like those secured by EALT play an important role in mitigating, and adapting to, the effects of climate change.
First, protecting areas through land trusts, like EALT, is a cost-effective nature-based solution because these natural areas already exist and the methods employed by land trusts to ensure they remain natural is proven and can be applied worldwide. When EALT conserves natural areas through a land donation or conservation easement, we work hard to ensure that the ecological integrity of the land is preserved and that the habitat quality and conservation values are maintained or enhanced over time.
Photo by Norm Legault
Secondly, protecting our local natural areas ensures that our grasslands, forests, and wetlands maintain their ecosystem functions and continue to provide ecosystem services that we rely on. Rising temperatures and drier conditions increase the frequency and severity of disastrous weather events like floods, droughts, wildfires, and severe storms. Our regional ecosystems help protect against severe weather events such as floods and droughts by holding and releasing moisture. Natural areas contain forests, native grasslands and wetlands that help absorb and store carbon, known as carbon sequestration, which removes carbon dioxide from Earth’s atmosphere. An interconnected network of diverse protected conservation lands maintains biodiversity, provides a refuge for wildlife, and supports long-term ecological resiliency.
Lastly, natural spaces provide opportunities for people to experience the mental and physical health benefits of spending time in nature. Experiencing nature with one another and within our community helps us understand the ways that we are all affected by climate change; it also allows us to maintain collective hope and resiliency in mitigating and adapting to climate change and take local action. We see this community action each day through our donors and volunteers, working with us to conserve natural areas.
Albertan communities have already experienced the effects of severe weather events like wildfires and floods, but we have also proven that we have the ability to collaborate and be resilient through change. Conserving natural areas is one of the best ways that we can work together to mitigate climate change and ensure a healthy future for generations.
You can help support our work to secure and steward lands of ecological significance by volunteering or making a donation!