Abstract
<jats:p>"Protected and Conserved Areas in Canada: Advancing Conservation Policy, Practice, and Indigenous Leadership, is Canada’s first bilingual, interdisciplinary, open-access textbook dedicated to the evolving management and planning of protected and conserved areas. This resource addresses critical pressures and transitions in conservation, integrating Indigenous perspectives and case studies from across Canada to prepare the next generation of practitioners and researchers to become ethical, equitable, and effective decision-makers. Over the past decade, Canada has experienced rapid expansion of protected and conserved areas, including the rise of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs), the expansion of marine protected and conserved areas, and the designation of other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs). These developments occur amid climate change, biodiversity loss, and shifting human-nature relationships, underscoring the urgent need for up-to-date, inclusive educational resources. The textbook’s open-access, bilingual format removes financial barriers and ensures broad accessibility to all Canadians. Its “knower-doer-learner” authorship model and commitment to Ethical Space foster collaboration between academics, practitioners, and Indigenous knowledge holders, modeling respectful engagement and Two-eyed Seeing. Designed purposefully as a living resource, it features dynamic case studies and multimedia elements, supporting diverse courses in geography, conservation, biology, tourism, planning, and beyond."</jats:p>