Wildlife Conservation Economy Project  -  Information page

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A wildlife conservation economy is an economic model in which the protection, restoration, and sustainable management of wildlife and natural ecosystems generate economic benefits, jobs, and community income while maintaining biodiversity.
Rather than viewing conservation as a cost that restricts development, a wildlife conservation economy treats healthy ecosystems and wildlife populations as valuable assets that support economic activity over the long term.

Key Components

• Wildlife tourism and ecotourism
  • Wildlife viewing
  • Birdwatching
  • Dark-sky and nature tourism
  • Guided wilderness experiences
• Conservation employment
  • Wildlife monitoring
  • Habitat restoration
  • Environmental research
  • Park management and enforcement
• Sustainable resource use
  • Harvesting resources at levels that maintain ecosystem health
  • Indigenous land stewardship programs
  • Sustainable forestry, fisheries, and agriculture
• Ecosystem services
  • Carbon storage
  • Water purification
  • Flood mitigation
  • Pollination services
• Conservation finance
  • Carbon credits
  • Biodiversity credits
  • Conservation trusts and endowments
  • Payments for ecosystem service

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Benefits
A wildlife conservation economy can:

• Create local jobs and business opportunities.
• Diversify rural and northern economies.
• Protect cultural and traditional land uses.
• Support Indigenous stewardship and knowledge systems.
• Improve ecosystem resilience to climate change.
• Maintain wildlife populations for future generations.

Examples in Canada

• Wildlife tourism focused on Polar Bear viewing in Churchill.
• Indigenous Guardian programs that employ local residents to monitor and protect lands and wildlife.
• Conservation and restoration projects supporting habitat for Wood Bison and Whooping Crane.
• Protected areas that generate tourism revenue while conserving ecosystems.

Application in the Northwest Territories
For communities in the NWT, a wildlife conservation economy could include:

• Indigenous-led conservation areas.
• Cultural and wildlife tourism.
• Dark-sky tourism and astronomy events.
• Wildlife research and monitoring programs.
• Habitat restoration projects.
• Carbon and conservation-credit initiatives.
• Training and employment for local guardians, guides, and environmental technicians.​​​

In this context, conservation becomes an economic development strategy that generates income while preserving the wildlife, landscapes, and cultural values that make northern regions unique.
 - Courtesy ChatGPT (June 2026):  What is wildlife conservation economy

Wildlife Conservation Economy (WCE)
  - Project Outline / Description
      ->  Click here for PDF file copy  <-

Join the conversation
  - Contact:  [email protected]
      - Open discussion forum:  June 16, 2026 @ 6:00pm | Northern Life Museum & Cultural Centre

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