Integrating Conservation and Sustainability: Strategies for Species Protection and Collaborative Action

Globally, species face significant challenges due to human activities, including habitat loss and climate change. These challenges require species to compete for diminishing resources or relocate to less suitable habitats, often at a high energetic cost. Humans are the primary drivers of these challenges and are responsible for mitigating their impacts. This requires a collaborative effort involving all sectors of society, including businesses, to implement sustainable practices and support conservation initiatives. This portfolio investigates human-led conservation efforts, focusing on artificial nesting to support Common Terns at Tommy Thompson Park in Toronto, Ontario. It aims to evaluate nesting productivity and the influence of threats such as predation and predator presence on fledging success. By assessing the effectiveness of these conservation measures, the study contributes to understanding how targeted interventions can enhance species survival. The portfolio also examines the evolving landscape of sustainable business practices by reflecting on Environmental Management Systems (EMS) roles and partnerships with NonGovernmental Organizations (NGOs). It explores how voluntary frameworks like ISO 14001 have influenced corporate self-regulation, emphasizing their limitations in achieving meaningful environmental impact without robust regulatory support. The analysis highlights the potential of NGO-business collaborations to bridge resource gaps and drive sustainability efforts while addressing the ethical and practical challenges these partnerships face. Ultimately, the paper underscores the urgent need for systemic change, regulatory reinforcement, and a shift toward long-term ecological resilience to address the complexities of sustainability. Finally, the portfolio concludes with a proposed business pitch for the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA). Based on insights from the literature on effective pitches, the proposal seeks to secure funding to support conservation and sustainability initiatives. This integrated approach underscores the importance of aligning conservation science with practical, collaborative efforts to address environmental challenges.