Biodiversity Conservation Talking Circles – FLYERS

As part of our ongoing commitment to a collaborative, community-rooted approach to conservation, we will be hosting ‘Knowledge Circles’ about Species and Spaces at Risk in The Land Between this upcoming March. These Knowledge Circles are a series of events that provide an opportunity to share knowledge about species and spaces at risk within the bioregion.

The Land Between bioregion is one of 15 Community Nominated Priority Places in Canada; recognized for its biodiversity and community capacity for cooperation. The region is one of the last intact wilderness landscapes in the southern half of the province, and a refuge for ecosystem services and species at risk. Here, 59 extant species at risk and many disappearing common species rely on the bioregion’s natural capital to survive….

If you have been involved in studies or observations, conservation efforts or nature experiences, your voice, perspectives, and knowledge is invaluable, and we hope that you will share with a community of caring individuals and leaders. For those with knowledge and/or specific research relevant to these topics please let us know in the registration form that you are willing to share these.

Current Highlights at the Flyers Circles (will be updated weekly):

• The Land Between: Research on moth productivity in residential areas
• Michelle DiLeo, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry: Planned research on butterflies
• Richard Feldman, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry: Eastern Whippoorwill and moth prey base in the Carden Alvar
• Hazel Wheeler, Wildlife Preservation Canada: Head-starting Yellow-banded bumblebees, and recovery program for Loggerhead shrike
• Carly Davenport, Bird Friendly Selwyn: Experience with American Kestrels
• Val Deziel, Forests Ontario: Grassland birds
• Lauren Loretto, Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority: Urban bats
• Taylor Kerekes, Wildlife Preservation Canada: Bumble bee recovery program
• Kayla Vizza, Cambium Inc.: Range and distribution of native bee species
• Vicky Papuga, Canadian Wildlife Federation: Pollinator meadow habitat
• Zachary Steele, Kawartha Bird Control: Bird window collision mitigation
• Derek Morningstar, Myotistar: Collaborative research on bat species at risk
• Karl Heide, Birds Canada: Research on Wood thrush
• Aleksandra Dolezal, Rare Charitable Research Reserve: Long term butterfly monitoring, in partnership with PollardBase
• Cass Stabler, Trent Severn Waterway, Parks Canada, Multi-species Action Plan for Ontario Waterways (Trent and Rideau)

REGISTRATION (ONLINE OR IN-PERSON):

These are half day hybrid events beginning at 1pm. For in-person attendees, snacks will be served at the onset and during an afternoon break. Support is available for in-person attendance and presenters, including honorariums.

To register, follow this link

It is hoped that These Knowledge Circles will support Two-Eyed seeing: embracing and integrating the essential ways of Traditional Knowledge and science for a comprehensive understanding to emerge.

Our goals for these Circle sessions are to learn from one another, enrich and advance our collective efforts, and to identify knowledge gaps and strategies. Importantly, our hope is also to cultivate new relationships and perspectives that will support our common calling to care for and conserve Nature.

We hope to hear from you, and we would also like to ask that you extend this invitation to other knowledge holders, including Indigenous Knowledge Holders, researchers and scientists, hunters and farmers, academics, conservation leaders or naturalists. We appreciate all contributions to this conversation, so feel free to pass this invitation on to others in your circle.

To note, the proceedings of these gatherings will also support the completion of our collaborative comprehensive regional conservation strategy. We also welcome you to review and provide comments at this time.

For more information about the series topics, visit the project website, or contact our Species Recovery Coordinator here.