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Conservation Planning

Building a strong economy, and creating business opportunities and good jobs is a priority for the Cree Nation. Planning for large scale Conservation Zones would require a balanced, comprehensive approach to lands planning. This means considering and weighing benefits and constraints related to both development and conservation opportunities, and factoring in other considerations such transportation infrastructure, road networks …etc.

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La Grande Alliance is an agreement for collaboration and consolidation of socio-economic ties between the Cree Nation and Quebec government to connect, develop and protect the territory.

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Defining protection status adapted to Eeyou Istchee

By 2035, 50% will be devoted to environmental protection, safeguarding biodiversity and for purposes other than industrial activities. The Cree Nation are currently identifying tools to support this objective.

Some potential planning objectives under the 50% protection

Protect important wildlife habitat (for food security & enhancing Cree hunting way of life) and for species at risk
Build connectivity of protected areas network (such as river corridors and watershed catchments)Name of the element
Enhance economic opportunities related to culturally grounded, low-impact tourism
Protect highly valued cultural heritage areas/routes
Buffer against impacts of climate change

Conservation Zoning Tools

New NHCA Mechanism

Indigenous-led protected areas
Protected areas with sustainable development
Northern conservation areas

Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs) - Self declared

Other designations under Natural Heritage Conservation Act (e.g. man-made landscapes, nature reserves)

Municipal Powers Act (Conservation zones through land use planning)
MERNs "Geoparks" or "exceptional geological site"

Woodland Caribou Range Planning

Establish special wildlife management zones

Development of territory policies (mining,culture,access and occupancy,water resources,wildlife, etc.)

Enhance Wildlife Protection resources

Eeyou Istchee Land Keepers Program

Enhance monitoring of land & wildlife

Determine planning to ensure habitat restoration (roads, silviculture, etc.)

Develop water resources strategy

Enhance sustainable resources development projects (Tourism, outfitting, non-timber forest products, bio-agriculture, fisheries resources, etc.)