Loon and Loon ChicksCanadians love and appreciate wildlife. For many of us wildlife provides powerful images that help define the very essence of our country: the cry of a loon echoing across a lonely lake, the power and majesty of a polar bear, great Vs of Canada Geese wheeling in the sky. The experience of wildlife enriches the lives of all Canadians.

There are important emotional and social reasons why humans need to experience wildlife and nature from time to time. We all have to recharge our batteries, to get out and breathe a little fresh air. Sometimes simply taking a walk in the park or setting up a backyard bird feeder is enough; at other times we seek more active pastimes such as hiking, hunting, canoeing, or wildlife photography.

The quality of these experiences is directly related to the quality of our Canadian wildlife and wildlife habitat.

Without habitat there is no wildlife. Any threats to the habitat of an animal or plant species are a serious threat to that species existence.

Threats to Aquatic Environments

Healthy aquatic ecosystems are those where human disturbances have not impaired the natural functioning or significantly altered the structure of the system. An unhealthy aquatic ecosystem is one where the natural state is out of balance.