Image by Cari Siebrits
Today, November 1st, 2023, the CCPC is commencing its first campaign. Titled ‘Crossing Paths,’ this campaign is focused on transportation and its impacts on the wildlife and ecosystems around us.
Why did we choose this topic? Let’s ask one of our photographers.
“Crossing Paths is important to me, because human transportation can have significant impacts on wildlife and ecosystems,” Mark Bernards said. “While some aspects need more systemic solutions, there are simple actions that individual people can take that have real tangible impacts, which makes it a really relatable, and more importantly, a goal that doesn't feel unrealistic or out of reach for real, regular people.”
As consumers, we’re faced with an imperative question: how can we coexist with wildlife in both urban and rural spaces? Whether you live in the heart of the city or deep in the outback, human-wildlife interactions are unavoidable. While transportation connects us to each other, it also fragments the habitats of our wildlife. We see this when roads split forests in two, boats strike marine mammals, and railways disturb and disorient wildlife. In Canada, vehicle strikes are the leading cause of death for several species.
Our photographers believe we have to do better.
Image by Jacquie Matechuk
“My first direct exposure to the impact of transportation on wildlife was when I was photographing humpback whales feeding in Haida Gwaii, B.C.,” CCPC photographer Isabelle Groc said. “I noticed an animal that had a huge scar from a collision with a boat. It was heartbreaking to see.”
Our central goal of this campaign is to educate the public. Our photographers have spent the last several months capturing the impact that transportation has on wildlife. While these images might surprise, frighten, or sadden you, we hope they inspire you more than anything.
We’ve partnered with several key organizations with extensive expertise in these subjects, such as Wildlife Collision Prevention Program, Marine Education & Research Society, and Living Lakes Canada. Over the course of this next month, we’ll highlight ways you can support these organizations and participate in solutions that will help save lives.
We’ll introduce you to our five themes, and all the challenging ways they shape the lives of the animals around us. We hope we can educate you, and you can help us make a safer and more sustainable future with the wildlife we share this planet with.
Follow us Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn and visit our campaign pages at https://www.theccpc.ca/crossing-paths to learn more.
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