The conservation of natural habitats: an industry that benefits the economy more than the oil, forestry, or mining sectors individually
A new study conducted by Delorme Lajoie Consultation, commissioned by a large coalition of Quebec conservation organizations, shows that the protection of natural habitats generates significant economic, social, and environmental benefits for communities.
According to the findings, the activities of conservation organizations on private lands support more than 640 jobs in Quebec and generate more than $48 million in added value for the economy. Even more impressive, the study also reveals that protected natural areas provide the equivalent of $678 million in ecosystem services each year, notably through reduced flood risk, carbon sequestration, improved water and air quality, and the protection of biodiversity.
The authors estimate that the present value of these benefits represents a natural asset of $22.6 billion, which is at least 70 times the average cost of acquiring protected lands. The study concludes that conservation is an economic sector whose economic impact on Quebec surpasses that of several sectors traditionally associated with wealth creation—including the oil, forestry, and mining sectors—when considered individually.
These findings serve as a reminder that conservation is not merely an act in support of the environment. It also represents a sustainable investment that promotes community prosperity, strengthens their resilience to climate change, and reduces future costs related to infrastructure and adaptation to natural hazards.
For the Massawippi Foundation, these findings confirm, from another perspective, the importance of continuing to “invest” in the protection of our region’s natural environments, for the benefit of current and future generations.
→ Read the full report here:
Executive Summary: https://nature-action.qc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Etude-retombees-economiques-conse rvation-QC-Summary.pdf
Full report: https://nature-action.qc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Rapport_Delorme-Lajoie_Retombees-Conservation-08-2026.pdf
