Biodiversity in Your Regions

Learning about Biodiversity in Your Regions

“Biodiversity loss is one of the biggest threats we face, because without biodiversity, the world’s ecological processes (including climate) do not function as well. Biodiversity equals stability for habitats, ecological processes and climate. A less wild world is less able to provide for our needs, less able to provide dependable weather, seasons and sea temperatures and less able to absorb human impacts.”
— David Attenborough

Canada’s ecological systems are highly diverse and various from coast to coast to coast. To learn about the native species and particular ecosystems in your regions will certainly inspire you, not only for the appreciation of the wonder of God’s creation in our homeland, but also for the incentive and desire to protect them.

Note: The following lists are by no mean exhaustive. They are instead the starting points for your own exploration and learning. Any link external to A Rocha Canada and its sister organizations does not represent our endorsement to the particular organizations, their agendas, programs or materials.

British Columbia

Biodiversity in BC

Government of British Columbia – Biodiversity and ecosystem health
Nature Trust of British Columbia
- Biodiversity
- Biodiversity – What Can We Do?
Biodiversity of BC
Biodiversity Atlas of British Columbia
Key Biodiversity Areas Canada – Map Viewer

Native Species in BC

Greater Vancouver Region / Fraser Valley

City of Vancouver
- Common Vancouver wildlife
- Map Guide to Common Birds in Vancouver
Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre – Wildlife Weeks Learning Programs
City of Richmond – Urban Wildlife in Richmond BC
Invasive Species Council of Metro Vancouver – About Native Plants
Fraser Valley Conservancy – Gardening with Native Plants
UBC Botanical Garden – Vancouver Trees App [for mobile devices]
UBC Beaty Biodiversity Museum
Birding in British Columbia – Birding Vancouver, BC

Greater Victoria Region

Capital Region District

Native Species

- Birding in British Columbia – Birding Victoria BC

Ontario

Biodiversity in Ontario

Ontario Biodiversity Council
State of Ontario’s Biodiversity
Sierra Club Canada – Biodiversity in Ontario – Why does it matter? –
Biodiversity Education and Awareness Network – Education Resources
- Ontario-based lesson plans for G4-12
Key Biodiversity Areas Canada – Map Viewer

Watershed map for the Great Lakes Region

Biinaagami- The Royal Canadian Geographical Society and Swim Drink Fish

Translated from Anishinaabemowin, Biinaagami means pure, clean water. Biinaagami is a multimedia, change-provoking initiative rooted in Indigenous knowledges. Through ceremony, mapping, inclusive storytelling, augmented reality, experiential learning, community water hubs and ecosystem restoration, Biinaagami aims to rebuild just and healthy relations between wildlife, people and place in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence watershed.

Biinaagami is a call to action. Biinaagami affirms our shared responsibility to this tapestry of land and waters that many call home.

The Biinaagami website has an interactive map of the watersheds in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence region.

Native Species in Ontario

Ontario Trees and Shrubs – Native Species (in order by Common Name)
Ontario Wildflowers – List of Native Flowers (in order by Common Name)
iNaturalist – Plants
iNaturalist – Ontario Mammals
South Eastern Ontario – Wildlife Species You Can Spot In South Eastern Ontario
iNaturalist – Birds of Ontario
Great Lake Guide – 24 birds you might see in your backyard
Toronto Entomologists’ Association – Ontario Insects
Insect Identification – Ontario Insects
Society for Ecological Restoration – Native Plant Resource Guide – Ontario

Greater Toronto Area

The City of Toronto has a fantastic website, Biodiversity in the City, in which you will find a number of award-winning guides (under the tab Biodiversity Booklets) such as Bees of Toronto, Birds of Toronto

Manitoba

Biodiversity in Manitoba

Government of Manitoba – Conservation Data Centre

The Manitoba Conservation Data Centre (MBCDC) is a storehouse of information on Manitoba’s biodiversity – its plant and animal species, as well as its natural plant communities.

Manitoba Wildlands – Biodiversity and Species
Nature North – Biodiversity of Manitoba
Key Biodiversity Areas Canada – Map Viewer

Native Species in Manitoba

iNaturalist – Plants
World Wildlife Fund Canada – Meet Some of Manitoba’s Nicest Native Plants
Nature Manitoba – Wild Plants of Winnipeg
Nature Watch Canada – Selected plants to observe: Manitoba
Prairie Originals – Native Prairie Plants – Wildflowers
iNaturalist – Birds
Bird Canada – Birds of Manitoba
Manitoba Breeding Bird Atlas
iNaturalist – Insects

Alberta

Biodiversity in Alberta

Alberta Parks | Biodiversity

This page includes information and activities instruction guides from kids from K-12. Take your students outside and build upon their senses to gain an appreciation and understanding of species with whom they share their world. Play games to explore the interactions amongst species and delve deeper into exploring species, genetic and ecosystem Biodiversity through a hands on field study.