Data Sources and Methods for the Habitat Secured for Waterfowl Indicator

The indicator is the sum of the waterfowl habitat area (in hectares) secured by the four Canadian habitat joint ventures: Pacific Coast (Canada portion only); Canadian Intermountain; Eastern Habitat; and Prairie Habitat, including the Western Boreal Forest region.

Under the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP), secured wetland and upland habitat is protected, either through land acquisition or through long-term (at least 10 years) legally binding agreements with landowners. Examples of securement include land purchases, donations, easements and transfers of title from the Crown to management agencies.

For each year, the cumulative habitat secured is calculated by adding newly secured hectares and subtracting expired agreements from continuing securements.