Canada is rich in freshwater.  Much of Canada is covered by lakes and rivers.  Canadian rivers discharge close to 9% of the world’s renewable water supply while Canada is home to less than 1% of the world’s population.  The Great Lakes and Canada’s large river systems like the Mackenzie, St. Lawrence, Saskatchewan, and Fraser rivers are unique in the world.  This abundant freshwater is the habitat for a diversity of fish, birds, amphibians, insects, and other wildlife.  The Freshwater Conservation Program works to conserve Canada’s freshwater environments through research and advocacy in four key areas:

• Habitat Protection and Restoration
• Aquatic Invasive Species
• Conserving Freshwater Wildlife Populations 
• Reducing the Impact of Water Pollution on Wildlife