Nature Protection

There are dozens of great organizations (Environment Canada-EC), in Canada which protect the Canadian environment. They do their best to protect their country’s air, water, vegetation, plants, land and resources.

Canadian governments and many volunteer organizations and individuals work to protect species at risk in Canada. The federal government has introduced Species at Risk legislation; the federal and provincial governments cooperate through the Accord for the Protection of the Species at Risk

The Canadian federal government is putting $92 million towards a national car scrapping program to get older model personal vehicles off the road and reduce air pollution.

In recent decades, human encroachment has posed a threat to Canada's wildlife; in response National Wildlife Areas (NWAs) are set aside under the Canada Wildlife Act. There are National Parks, National Wildlife Areas, as well as Migratory Bird Sanctuaries. National parks protect natural regions in Canada. NWAs conserve habitats for species at risk. Migratory bird sanctuaries protect the breeding grounds of migratory birds during the nesting season.

Climate.

Canadians climate is characterized by its diversity, as temperature and precipitation differ from region to region and from season to season. Factors influencing Canada's climate: 1)        Latitude (extension from South to North) Since Canada's extention from soutj to north is 40*, the country is situated in 3 climatic zones: -        the temperate zone (southern parts up to latitude approximately 60* North) -        the subarctic zone (covers the parts of the country between latitude 60* North and the Arctic circle) -        the arctic zone (includes territories, lying beyond the arctic circle) 2)        Flow of air masses The usual air flow is from west to east.  In winter it is disrupted by arctic air which moves down from the Arctic and is cold and dry. In summer the western air flow is disrupted by warm tropical air, moving from the southeast. This movement of airmasses together with the countrys position between the Oceans account for fact that there are several types of of climate within one climatic zone  -        the coastal parts (western and eastern) enjoy the maritime climate with abundant precipitation -        the central interior parts enjoy the continental climate, which is characterized by great seasonal fluctuations in temperature and by a lesser amount of rainfall throughout the year. 3)        The relief (the effect of mountain ranges, plains and bodies of water) The Cordilleran mountain system blocks the warm moist Pacific air from the interior plains of the Great Plains (the Prairie Provinces). The moist air is forced to rise over the mountains, it cools as it rises and falls on the western slopes in heavy amounts of precipitation, as rain in lower altitudes and snow at higher ones.  On the lowland side of the mountains a rain-shadow effect is created. The valleys between the mountain ranges and the Great Plains lying further east receive much less precipitation. The rainfall is not sufficient and farmers have to irrigate their crops.  Average winter and summer high temperatures across Canada vary depending on the location. Winters can be harsh in many regions of the country, particularly in the interior and Prairie provinces which experience a continental climatewhere daily average temperatures are near −15   but can drop below −40 °C (−40 °F) with severe wind chills. In non-coastal regions, snow can cover the ground almost six months of the year (more in the north). Coastal British Columbia is an exception and enjoys a temperate climate with a mild and rainy winter. On the east and west coast, average high temperatures are generally in the low 20s °C (70s °F), while between the coasts the average summer high temperature ranges from 25 to 30 °C (75 to 85 °F) with occasional extreme heat in some interior locations exceeding 40 °C (104 °F). According to its climate, Canada can be divided in to 5 regions: 1)        The West Coast (the coast of British Columbia) - a temperate maritime West-Coast climate [the most temperate climate in Canada].  2)        The Prairies (the Great Planes: Alberta. Saskatchewan, Manitoba) - a temperate continental climate [wind erosions, drought, thunderstorms, hailstorms, early autumn frosts,Chinook] 3)        The Great Lakes (St. Lawrence region) - a temperate continental climate 4)        Atlantic Canada - a temperate monsoon climate [rugged and variable] 5)        The North     - a subarctic and arctic climate [permafrost]