Biodiversity Conservation Talking Circles – HERPS

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

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 Herptiles Circle (Highlights are updated weekly):

• Turtle Guardians: GRACE the turtle, new prototypes for ecopassage exclusion fencing
• Jeff Hathaway, Scales Nature Park: Massassauga rattlesnake research
• Don Scallen: Description of a successful Blanding’s turtle road mortality mitigation project
• Rachel Dillon MSc., The Davy Lab: Snake pathogens (ophidiomyces) surveillance project
• David Lawrie, Toronto Region Conservation Authority: Salamander research, monitoring, ecosystem understanding
• Dr. Jacquie Litzgus, Laurentian University: Recent herpetology updates from the Litzgus Lab
• Hannah McCurdy Adams, Wildlife Preservation Canada: Research with Massassauga rattlesnake and Western chorus frog
• Reta Lingrui Meng, Chow-Fraser Lab: Research with Blanding’s turtle
• Riley Bowman & Olivia Gaetz, Trent University: Herpetofauna present on campus
• Cass Stabler, Trent Severn Waterway, Parks Canada, Multi-species Action Plan for Ontario Waterways (Trent and Rideau)
• Michelle Hudolin, Severn Sound Environmental Association: Report on a multi-year observational study of turtles in Matchedash Bay (Severn Twp)
• David Seburn, Canadian Wildlife Federation: Blanding’s turtle road mortality and mitigation
• Sandy Agnew, Huronia Woodland Owners Association: Thinning old conifer plantations
• Andrea O’Halloran, University of Ottawa: Use of ecopassages by Blanding’s turtle and other organisms
• Robyn Rumney, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Canada: Key Biodiversity Area scoping and nominations of areas important to herptiles

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 drafting of a 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.