CONSERVING BIODIVERSITY THROUGH PARKS CANADA'S VOLUNTEER PROGRAMME

This paper outlines how conservation volunteer programmes contribute to biodiversity protection and conservation in Canada’s national parks. An inventory of some of these volunteer programmes is summarized and specific examples of volunteer conservation activities are provided through a case study of Kejimkujik National Park’s volunteer programme. Observations from these conservation volunteer initiatives are combined with findings reported in scholarly literature to highlight factors that contribute to successful conservation volunteer programmes. Key outcomes arising from Parks Canada’s conservation volunteer programmes include: support of biodiversity conservation, enhanced visitor experience, broadened support for national parks, and the introduction of new ideas and skills by volunteers. Many volunteers participating in these programmes are tourists; the final section of this paper highlights which CBD Aichi Targets these volunteers are assisting Parks Canada to meet.