Boreal: It’s time to put a value on Canada’s Natural Assets, before it’s too late

Op-ed By Shawn Graham, Vice President of Ducks Unlimited Canada’s volunteer board of directors.

When thinking about Canada’s future — economically, environmentally, and socially — there’s one natural asset that deserves to be front and centre in public policy and investment strategy: the boreal forest. Sprawling roughly 1.3 billion acres across ten provinces and territories, the boreal is more than just a Canadian landscape; it is one of the planet’s most consequential ecosystems. Yet despite its global importance, this natural powerhouse is both undervalued as a natural asset and lacks sufficient investment. It’s time to take action towards long-term conservation investment in Canada’s boreal region.

A Climate Solution Right in front of us

Canada’s boreal region plays a critical role in regulating Earth’s climate. Its forests, wetlands and lakes store enormous amounts of carbon.  Much of this carbon is locked away in peatlands which act as long-term carbon vaults, slowing climate change by keeping greenhouse gases out of the atmosphere. When boreal ecosystems are disturbed or drained, that stored carbon can be released, accelerating climate change.  Maintaining this carbon stock is one of the most effective nature-based strategies to stabilize the climate.  That said, less than 15 per cent of the boreal region is currently under some form of protection.

Economics That Make Sense

Conservation isn’t a luxury or an economic burden.  When we account for natural capital — the economic value of ecosystem services like water filtration, flood control, carbon sequestration, and recreation — protecting the boreal is not just ecological stewardship; it’s economic prudence. Even the most conservative valuations suggest the boreal’s natural capital provides at least $167 billion per year in ecosystem services.

Ducks Unlimited Canada partners with Indigenous Peoples, governments, landowners, and conservation-minded partners across industries to support sustainable development practices and nature positive outcomes.

A Cultural Imperative

Canada’s boreal is not just a carbon bank or commodity-producing landscape; it is home to hundreds of Indigenous communities whose cultures, livelihoods and identities are intertwined with the land. Indigenous Peoples have led some of the most successful and large-scale conservation efforts in the country and Ducks Unlimited Canada has been proud to support Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas and community-led guardianship programs.

Securing Canada’s place on the Global Stage

Canada is uniquely positioned to lead the world in boreal conservation. By safeguarding this extraordinary region, we are stewarding a landscape that will continue to provide climate stability, biodiversity, water and a living legacy for generations yet to come.   We are also enabling sustainable development through our natural resource industries.

The boreal matters because it supports life itself. And what we do today will determine whether it and we continue to thrive tomorrow. Ducks Unlimited Canada has made a generational commitment to sustaining healthy Canadian boreal landscapes through transformative conservation initiatives.

Conserving the boreal is not just an environmental priority — it’s smart economic policy.