Nature survey reveals the extent of Canadians’s love of the natural world

The Government of Canada recently released the results of a nature survey using data collected between fall 2012 and spring 2013. Participation in the survey was limited to Canadian adults age 18 and over, and more than 24,000 responses were received. e survey results improve the understanding of the importance of nature and biodiversity to Canadians by measuring their awareness of naturerelated concepts and their participation and investments in a wide range of naturebased activities. “Our government recognizes that our natural heritage is intrinsically tied to our identity as Canadians. at’ s why we recently launched the National Conservation Plan, which will help connect Canadians to nature. e 2012 Canadian Nature Survey rea rms the importance of our Government’s action to conserve, protect and restore the environment,” said e Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and Minister for the Arctic Council. Here are just a few highlights from the report: • More than two-thirds of Canadian adults (70 per cent) chose to spend time outdoors in the last year in order to experience nature, and almost half of Canadian adults travelled to experience more nature (47 per cent). • Awareness of the terms “species at risk”, “biodiversity”, and “ecosystem services” was consistently high in every province and territory. • 89 per cent of Canadian adults participated in at least one of over 30 di erent nature-based activities, with the most popular being picnicking or relaxing in nature (71 per cent nationally), followed by reading or viewing nature media (66 per cent); hiking, climbing, horseback riding (64 per cent); and gardening or landscaping with plants (51 per cent). • 13 per cent of Canadian adults volunteered in nature conservation away from their homes during an average of 31 days per year. • 4.6 million Canadians (almost 19 per cent of all adults) gave money for donations or membership dues to nature or conservation organizations. Over all, Canadian adults made an estimated $41.3 billion (Cdn) in expenditures for nature-based activities in the 12 months prior to completing the survey, with the greatest amount dedicated to non-motorized, non-consumptive activities. e 2012 Canadian Nature Survey was developed through active collaboration between the federal government and all 13 provincial and territorial governments, with the involvement of o cials from departments including those responsible for managing natural resources, wildlife, land use, nature and biodiversity conservation. e 2012 Canadian Nature Survey updates and expands on information provided by Canadians in the 1996 Survey on the Importance of Nature to Canadians, and the 1981, 1987, and 1991 surveys on the Importance of Wildlife to Canadians. e 2012 Canadian Nature Survey is part of the Value of Nature to Canadians Study, launched in 2009.

To see the results of the survey, please visit www.biodivcanada.ca.