Biodiversity Conservation Talking Circles – TERRESTRIAL

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 this upcoming March. These 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 this Talking Circle (Highlights are updated weekly):

• The Land Between: Grassland mapping in the region; foresters concerns over “dropping trees” in 2023
• Richard Evan Feldman, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry: Monitoring Eastern Whipporwill and moths at Carden Alvar
• Elliott Groen, Ontario Woodlot Association & Kawartha Land Trust: Emerald Ash Borer targeting Black Ash
• Dr. Stephanie Rutherford, Trent University: Perceptions of Coyotes
• Dr. Namrata Shrestha, Toronto Region Conservation Authority: Modelling habitat connectivity for wildlife movement
• Hayden Wilson, Kawartha Land Trust: Using native grasses to manage Dog-strangling Vine
• Dr. Norman Yan, Friends of Muskoka Watershed: Terrestrial calcium sources and wood ash program needs and impacts
• Elder Jane Lagassie, Algonquins of Ontario: American Eel medicine and relationships
• Rachel Barrington, Kawartha Land Trust, Partners in Conservation land stewardship program
• Jeff Berthelette, Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters: EDD Maps, reporting invasive species, risk of terrestrial invasive species
• Cass Stabler, Trent Severn Waterway, Parks Canada, Multi-species Action Plan for Ontario Waterways (Trent and Rideau)

REGISTRATION (ONLINE OR INPERSON):

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.