OECM: Conservation Done Differently
New opportunities for conservation
Many natural environments suitable for biodiversity conservation lie outside protected areas. Across Quebec, there are managers and owners of various sites who engage in practices that are respectful of the local ecosystems and beneficial to the animal and plant species they harbour. These areas are complementary to protected areas because conservation also occurs there, but they are often overlooked.
In order to encourage the involvement of these stakeholders and spotlight their contribution to conservation, certain sites can now be considered for recognition as Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs). The Quebec government has introduced guidelines for the recognition of OECMs in continental environments.
What are OECMs?
According to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the term OECM1 refers to:
“a geographically defined area other than a Protected Area, which is governed and managed in ways that achieve positive and sustained long-term outcomes for the in situ conservation of biodiversity, with associated ecosystem functions and services and, where applicable, cultural, spiritual, socioeconomic, and other locally relevant values”
A vital part of the conservation tool kit, OECMs can complement protected areas, either as key conservation areas, or as buffer zones or connectivity corridors between protected areas. They represent an opportunity to create a network of representative and connected conserved areas across the province.
1 The guidelines for OECMs in Quebec are based on recommendations issued by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and adapted to reflect the province’s particular circumstances.
What’s the difference between OECMs and protected areas?
- The primary objective of protected areas is always biodiversity conservation, whereas this is not necessarily true for OECMs.
- OECMs already have an established governance and management system, whereas the management system for a protected area is instituted—based on conservation objectives—only once the protected area has been designated.
- The procedure for recognizing OECMs is more accessible and flexible than that for protected areas.
Both of these tools produce positive results for biodiversity conservation in the long term.
Helping to meet Quebec and Canadian targets
OECMs count toward the achievement of the international and national target of conserving 30% of land, inland waters, and coastal and marine ecosystems by 2030 (CBD’s third target). This target is one of 23 action-oriented global targets adopted at the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15). Both Quebec and Canada committed to the Kunming-Montreal Global biodiversity framework, signed in Montreal in 2022.
OECMs have the potential to complement efforts to achieve target 3 which is so often reduced to include just the conservation of 30% of land by 2030. In actuality, this target contains many precisions concerning its application. The conserved areas should especially be of “particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem functions and services, effectively conserved and managed through ecologically representative, well-connected and equitably governed systems”. The recognition of OECMs presents an opportunity to complete Quebec’s network of protected areas, especially where there are conservation gaps.
See the toolbox for examples of OECMs in Quebec and Canada and for other relevant information.
Submitting an OECM proposal
Do you own or manage land that contributes to conservation efforts?
If you wish to assess its recognition as an OECM, please fill out this form.
Nature Québec supports stakeholders and indigenous communities that are interested in submitting a proposal to the Quebec government for an OECM in a continental environment. We aim to help interested individuals and organizations develop their OECM proposals.
What Nature Québec provides
- Personalized coaching to help you through the OECM assessment process for your site.
- Expertise in analyzing certain site proposals, drawing on a network of specialists.
- Recommendations to the Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs (MELCCFP) regarding the submitted proposals.
What Nature Québec does not provide
- Does not take initial steps to engage landowners for a specific site.
- Does not make the final decision on OECM recognition (this decision is made by the MELCCFP).
Please bear in mind that it is the role of the Quebec government, and not Nature Québec, to assess OECM recognition proposals. Our role is to help you complete and submit your proposal.
Do you represent one of the Indigenous communities of Québec?
The First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Sustainable Development Institute (FNQLSDI) will play a role in identifying potential OECMs relevant for First Nations. They can provide tailored and personalized support throughout the process, whether it’s for the reflection surrounding the recognition of an OECM, filling the online form, or any subsequent steps. If applicable, you can send your request to the following email address: conservation@iddpnql.ca.
A community of practice to learn and share information
Come share your knowledge and tap into the expertise of other stakeholders. The community of practice will give you free access to many resources, such as case studies and webinars, and a chance to exchange ideas with people and organizations that share your interests and concerns in conservation.
Sign up for the community of practice newsletter to stay abreast of our activities and upcoming resources.
First Community of Practice meeting
Breaking the ice with a Forêt Marine case study!
For more info
Our FAQ on OECMs
Learn more about Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures. See our Frequently Asked Questions on OECMs.
Partners and Governance
The success of OECMs as a conservation tool depends on the collaborative efforts of a wide range of committed stakeholders. Accordingly, Nature Québec calls on the expertise of many organizations through an advisory committee and a network of experts in the field to support the project.
The project OECM: Conservation Done Differently is funded by Environment and Climate Change Canada and the Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs, as part of the Plan nature 2030.
The views expressed herein are solely those of Nature Québec.
For more information
amce@naturequebec.org
418 648-2104 ext. 178