Mani Sharma
"Ottawa should protect at least 30% of its aquatic, terrestrial, and aerial spaces through a combination of protected natural areas, wetlands, forests, rivers, shorelines, parks, ecological corridors, and other conserved lands. Protection should be meaningful, connected, and supported by long-term management—not simply a designation on a map.
I would support:
- Completing an accurate inventory of Ottawa’s natural areas and biodiversity.
- Protecting wetlands, waterways, forests, ravines, shorelines, and significant wildlife habitat.
- Creating connected ecological corridors between natural areas.
- Restoring degraded wetlands, streams, shorelines, and habitats.
- Applying a no-net-loss approach to important natural features.
- Using land-use planning and development approvals to avoid habitat destruction.
- Working with Indigenous communities, conservation groups, farmers, residents, and landowners.
- Publishing annual progress reports on the 30% target and ecological condition.
Biodiversity protection also improves flood control, cooling, water quality, recreation, and public health."
Marie-Ange Ahinful
"I would protect and connect Ottawa’s forests, wetlands, waterways and other important habitats through strong land-use planning, restoration and responsible development. The City should establish a clear baseline, track progress toward the 30% target publicly, and work with Indigenous partners, conservation groups, landowners and other governments."
Kevin Hua
"I am advocating in this election for the City to leverage its municipal planning powers to protect our greenspace particularly using them to create municipal protections for our wetlands so that they aren't just solely reliant on the province's provincial significant wetland designation to protect them from development."
Chelsea Walton
"While the Montreal Biodiversity Agreement is a national and international target, municipalities have an important role through land-use planning, conservation, restoration and stewardship.
In Stittsville, this has very real local implications. The Goulbourn Wetland Complex is an important natural area on our doorstep, providing habitat for species at risk, including Blanding's turtles. The wetlands also contain the headwaters of Poole Creek, an important cold/cool-water creek that runs directly through our community.
I have been clear that I support protecting the Goulbourn Wetland Complex and advocating for strong protection of its remaining wetlands. As Stittsville grows, we need to direct development to appropriate locations, protect wetlands and significant woodlands, maintain connections between natural areas, and ensure development does not compromise the ecological and hydrological functions that wildlife depends on.
I would work with conservation authorities, the Province, the NCC, Indigenous partners, local organizations such as Friends of Stittsville Wetlands, and environmental organizations on protection, restoration and stewardship. I also support community-based conservation initiatives, including the turtle conservation work now underway locally.
Protecting biodiversity ultimately means protecting habitat. In Stittsville, one of my priorities will be ensuring the Goulbourn Wetland Complex continues to receive strong protection and advocating to the Province whenever those protections are at risk."
Theresa Qadri
"Helping Ottawa Achieve the 30x30 Biodiversity Target
To support the Kunming-Montréal Global Biodiversity Framework goal of conserving 30% of land and inland waters by 2030, Ottawa should combine habitat protection, ecosystem restoration, Indigenous leadership, and biodiversity-focused planning.
Key Actions
1. Expand Protected Areas
- Protect additional wetlands, forests, river corridors, and other ecologically significant lands.
- Encourage voluntary conservation agreements, incentives, and willing-seller land acquisitions for private lands.
2. Improve Habitat Connectivity
- Create wildlife corridors, greenways, and connected natural areas.
- Incorporate biodiversity corridors into land-use and infrastructure planning.
3. Restore Ecosystems
- Restore wetlands, streams, urban forests, and riparian areas.
- Plant native species and control invasive species.
4. Partner with Indigenous Communities
- Support Indigenous-led conservation initiatives.
- Incorporate Indigenous knowledge and stewardship practices into biodiversity planning.
5. Strengthen Urban Biodiversity
- Require biodiversity considerations in major developments.
- Expand green infrastructure, naturalized parks, pollinator gardens, and urban forests.
6. Monitor Progress
- Track protected areas, forest cover, wetlands, water quality, and species at risk.
- Publish regular progress reports.
7. Engage Residents and Landowners
- Provide grants, tax incentives, technical assistance, and recognition programs for willing landowners.
- Expand community science and public education programs.
8. Support Aerial Biodiversity
- Protect migratory bird habitat.
- Reduce light pollution.
- Promote bird-safe buildings and pollinator habitats.
Conclusion
Ottawa can achieve the 30x30 target through a balanced approach that protects and restores nature, strengthens Indigenous partnerships, and integrates biodiversity into city planning. Success should be built on voluntary stewardship, offering incentives and support to willing landowners while respecting property rights. This approach will help conserve biodiversity, improve climate resilience, and enhance residents' quality of life."
Sheetal Narwal
“Start by publishing where we stand today. Residents should know how much of Ottawa is protected now and what the plan is to reach 30%. In Stittsville we have real opportunities: Shea Woods is now City-owned and should be planned as protected natural space, the Poole Creek corridor is an urban natural area worth protecting along its whole length, and the wetlands at our rural edge need to stay protected. I'll push for those protections to be formal and permanent, and for natural areas to be planned with new neighbourhoods, not after them.”