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Nature conservation and current issues, from climate change to protecting north Atlantic right whales, can seem overwhelming. However, there were some positive areas over the past year.

Here are 10 stories from 2017 in Canada and around the world that show progress:

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1) Protected areas continues to grow

Many countries are edging closer to international targets to protect 17 per cent of lands and inland waters by 2020. Globally, the amount of protected area has just reached 15 per cent, and in Canada it has grown by eight per cent in the last five years, to 10.6 per cent. The Natural Areas Conservation Program, supported by Environment and Climate Change Canada and delivered by the Nature Conservancy of Canada has now protected more than one million acres. This includes some of Canada’s most threatened species and habitats.

2) Meeting commitments for marine protected areas

While Canada’s protection of marine and coastal areas had flat-lined for many years, there has been positive strides, resulting in Canada achieving its interim goal of protecting five per cent of our oceans and coasts by 2017 (with a goal of 10 per cent by 2020). In June, it was announced that the world is on track to meet the goal of protecting 10 per cent of marine areas and coasts. Mexico is tripling its commitment to include 23 per cent of its national waters.