Our Vision, Mandate & More
Our Vision - Bioregionalism in Action
To foster cooperation between sectors and across levels, that results in understanding, behaviours and adaptive solutions that benefit the totality of the region; from nature to culture, society and the economy.
Our Mandate - Instill a Sense of Place
To instill a sense of place and pride in place, that is demonstrated in behaviors and also relationships that respect the unique characteristics and needs of the land (the region).
Planned Outcomes
A healthy intact natural biome, where ecosystems provide essential functions, habitat for all levels of wildlife, and retain the intrinsic capacity for renewal
Cultural vitality where perspectives, worldviews, and practices are animated, shared and celebrated. This vibrancy expresses and also informs who we are in the region, both distinctively and collectively.
Community leadership that is respectful, demonstrates humility, and is responsive.
A sensitive, integrated and sustainable economy that is cyclical and supportive of future generations through the ability to reciprocate to nature, the land, and the creativity that has provided for it's success.
Our Strategic Actions
Research and communicate the unique natural, cultural, and socio-ecological features of the region, including their inter-connectedness and related functions and benefits.
Educate through respectful and inspiring modes, messages, and media
Cultivate new relationships, and facilitate exploration and deliberative dialogue, towards robust new understandings and solutions
Apply and implement collaborative, strategic, and sustainable solutions
Our Goals for 2020-2025
1. Foster Cooperative Solutions: All levels and jurisdictions adopt and employ innovative planning mechanisms that respect the Natural environment and how it benefits cultural and economic diversity and wellbeing. Convene diverse partners across cultures, demographics, sectors and jurisdictions in deliberative dialogues around shared concerns to highlight opportunities and innovative approaches for greater conservation and cooperation.
2. Conserve Biodiversity: A system of connected stewarded and protected habitats across the region which maintain Nature's basic capacity for renewal, including an intact food web that supports biodiversity and ecosystem functions. Sustain the core infrastructure and systems/resource and habitats to conserve and recover 57 Species at Risk and reverse or stay the decline of common species. Work with private landowners to develop skills and knowledge towards greater stewardship, restoration, and protection of habitats and corridors. Work with municipalities to advance systems and levers for conservation.
3. Sustain Water Quality: Lakes, wetlands and shorelands at a significant level of "unaffectedness" so as to maintain water quality and healthy fish habitats. Create shared platforms and programs to access current data, engage stakeholders in Citizen Science and stewardship, and create wide awareness and new social norms- advancing lake stewardship and shoreline naturalization.
4. Support A Sustainable Cyclical Economy: Effective enterprise that is congruent with the characteristics of the region, and do not undermine the foundation of its Natural Capital. Work to include innovations in residential building practices, and where new technologies and local goods and services are embraced. Work to identify and promote knowledge, skills and innovations in agriculture, forestry and trades.
5. Cultivate Vibrant Culture: The diversity of peoples and practices, and richness of history is thriving and embodied in our individual, community and regional character. Gather and share knowledge, stories, worldviews, and assets related to Indigenous, early Settler, and modern-day culture in the region. Support cultural diversity and conservation through integrating perspectives and teachings in programs and communications.
6. Enhance Education: The Land Between and its features is being taught in schools and which includes local history, geography, natural sciences, etc. Provide interactive, place-based, and deep inquiry learning opportunities from elementary school to elders within our communities. To advance the understanding and appreciation of the region, and its history and culture.
7. Engage Youth: Next generations are excited about and engaged in learning, participating and leading natural resource and cultural heritage stewardship. Mentor youth towards leadership. Work to achieve a collective of young and engaged people to lead conservation projects in their communities.
The Land Between chooses projects within seven strategic action areas.
Each project is listed in a main program area, however, each project integrates many focuses and actions and therefore benefits multiple goals.
Click on the links for more information:
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Bioregionalism- Foster Cooperative Solutions
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Landscape and Natural Systems Conservation - Conserve Biodiversity
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Water and Fisheries- Sustain Aquatic Health
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Society and Economics/Better Building, Agriculture and Tourism- Support Sustainable Economic Development
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Cultural Heritage- Cultivate Vibrant Communities
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Education & Awareness and Future Leaders - Enhance Education and Extend Awareness & Engage Youth
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Reconciliation
Our current portfolio of programs and projects.
TLB investigates areas of need to identify gaps and opportunities. We attempt to ensure that all projects have impacts across sectors, levels, and are completed using a community partner model.
- My First Shot - an unscripted documentary that uses the cultural practice of hunting in North America to understand the relationships of hunters to conservation and wildlife management
- Ma'aiingun- Rediscovering and Re-working the Algonquin Wolf - In 2020 The Land Between began hosting talking circles to encourage Indigenous Peoples, hunters and trappers to share their knowledge.
- Highland Habitats- Making Space for Declining Species - helping landowners become stewards for wildlife.
- Blue Lakes - A Dynamic Database, Suite of Tools and Ecolabel for Excellence in Lake Stewardship
- The American Eel - contributing to research and knowledge sharing around a symbolic fish species
- Knowledge Circles - Community, Local and Traditional Ecological Knowledge
- Land Stories- Rediscovering Our Roots
- Design Your Own Shoreline Garden and the Natural Edge Program
- Turtle Guardians
- Connecting with and Caring for Nature. Check out all our Citizen Science Programs
We are working on introducing:
- The Youth Arm of TLB
- Municipal Outreach programs
- Developing a First Nation Land Trust
- Building Between While we made significant gains to advance appreciation and protections for a local heritage building, and to restore the integrity of the structure towards its repurposing and occupation by a public trust, in 2017-18 the project negotiations with the owner fell apart. To read about the effort follow the link above. Regardless, of this loss we will pursue the support for and promotions of green and better building solutions for the communities we serve and will revive these goals reinventing this effort in starting in 2021.
If you have a project idea or see an area that needs attention or a problem that needs new approaches and solutions in the region, contact us