Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures
What are OECMs?
Other effective area-based conservation measures or OECMs are globally recognized as areas that conserve biodiversity.
Canada was one of the first countries in the world to identify OECMs, officially recognizing its first OECM, portions of Canadian Forces Base Shilo, Manitoba, in 2019.
In Canada, OECMs recognized and counted as part of Canada’s conservation network are expected to meet all of the criteria of the pan-Canadian Decision Support Tool.
Protected areas and OECMs are both essential for biodiversity, and both can be owned by governments, non-profit organizations, businesses, individuals and others. The protected areas designation has existed for more than 100 years – these areas are often, but not always, owned by governments and represent places like national, provincial or territorial parks or National Wildlife Areas. OECMs were introduced through the UN Convention on Biological Diversity in 2010 to recognize areas that support the plants, animals, ecosystems and cultural values of an area over the long term, without specifically putting the area aside for the primary purpose of conservation.
Pan-Canadian definition of OECMs
“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, socio-economic, and other locally relevant values”
– One with Nature
Difference between an OECM and a protected area
Protected areas are created and are managed for the purpose of conserving biodiversity, however an OECM can exist and be managed for any reason as long as it achieves biodiversity conservation. OECMs are just as effective as protected areas when it comes to conserving biodiversity – they just do so while also achieving a different purpose.
(Learn more in the FAQ below)
An OECM is...
Frequently Asked Questions
Any land managed in ways that effectively conserves biodiversity as a whole for the long term can be evaluated to determine if it is an OECM.
Such areas may include municipal parklands, drinking water supply areas, university owned research stations, conservation authority lands, Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs), set-asides within managed forests, ranch lands that maintain native grassland ecosystems, Indigenous owned land, and privately owned conserved areas.
Many examples of OECMs already exist. See what they look like in practice on the OECMs Examples page.
Any land managed in ways that effectively conserves biodiversity as a whole for the long term can be evaluated to determine if it is an OECM.
Such areas may include municipal parklands, drinking water supply areas, university owned research stations, conservation authority lands, Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs), set-asides within managed forests, ranch lands that maintain native grassland ecosystems, Indigenous owned land, and privately owned conserved areas.
Many examples of OECMs already exist. See what they look like in practice on the OECMs Examples page.
What is an OECM?
An Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measure (OECM), is an area of land or water with clearly defined boundaries, which is managed in a way that results in the in-situ conservation of biodiversity. This is true even if the management that is creating these positive outcomes is not in place for the specific purpose of conservation.
The official definition of OECM in Canada is:
“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, socio–economic, and other locally relevant values”.
This definition aligns with the international OECM definition agreed upon by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. It was agreed to by Canada’s Federal Provincial and Territorial Departments Responsible for Parks, Protected Areas, Conservation, Wildlife and Biodiversity (One with Nature, 2019)
Why are OECMs important in Canada?
Canada and other member countries to the United Nations Convention on Biodiversity committed to conserve 30% of lands and waters by the year 2030 using protected areas and OECMs. This is an ambitious target and action towards achieving this target will support nature and help mitigate and adapt to climate change.
With the growing awareness and understanding of the need to conserve biodiversity in Canada and around the world, there is a better appreciation for the need to find alignment between creating conservation outcomes and the many ways in which we interact with the land. OECMs are one way to do this.
Is an OECM the same as a protected area?
No. By definition, Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs) are not protected areas. They are sites that deliver the effective, in-situ conservation of biodiversity. While protected areas have a primary purpose of protecting biodiversity, OECMs generally do not. OECMs typically exist for purposes other than conservation, but are recognized as OECMs because they deliver the effective, in-situ conservation of biodiversity. For this reason, they are an important complement to protected areas.
Are there OECMs in Canada right now?
Canada first recognized OECMs in 2016 and both the number and variety of OECMs recognized across the country continues to grow.
Some of the OECMs recognized as part of Canada’s protected and conserved areas network are military training areas, drinking water supply areas, forestry research sites, conservation zones in land use plans, municipally owned forests, and areas of cultural significance.
You can find the latest data on what Canada recognizes as protected and conserved in the Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database.
Is OECM a legal designation?
No. There is no legislation or regulations specific to Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs) in Canada. Rather, any mechanism or combination of mechanisms that restrict or control activities that are likely to negatively impact biodiversity may be sufficient for an area to be an OECM. This could include a variety of legislation/legal designations, regulations, policy, management plans, etc.
If a site meets the criteria as an OECM, it can be recognized as part of Canada’s protected and conserved areas network and included in the Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database. Existing OECMs may be recognized based on mechanisms and management practices that are already in place. For example, legislation to protect a city’s drinking water supply, municipal zoning bylaws, conservation easements with a land trust, etc.
