Photo: A patch of Bloodroot flowers, generously donated by Vicki Hammond
Big Picture Protected Areas
A Protected Areas strategy for Southern Ontario was developed collaboratively through two major workshops, a webinar, a major forum, network survey and task force strategy meetings. In total, 320+ individuals and 50+ groups were connected and consulted through the development of the strategy. The protected areas strategy discussion paper calls for diverse partners and landowners to align efforts around
- 7 high-level priority objectives to enhance and expand the network of protected areas across southern Ontario
- Big Picture targets to meet ecological needs across the Carolinian Zone
- join the Carolinian Zone partnership to implement a 5-year strategy to identify potential protected areas, protect priority lands and build capacity to double protected areas in the ecoregion.
Want to Learn More about Protected Areas? Watch the recording of our webinar featuring:
- A 30-minute information session about the Big Picture protected areas initiative
- Approaches for Protected Areas in harmony with a working, private landscape
- Opportunities for Indigenous partnerships
- How to nominate potential protected areas for assessment
- Our National strategy to meet international targets for 17% protected lands by 2020
- Big Picture Protected Areas Survey and Discussion paper
- How you can collaborate to enhance protection of your unique nature
Shifting the Paradigm Forum 2019
175 participants attended a major forum held on February 12 at the Royal Ontario Museum. Five panels featuring 29 experts lead discussions on Big Picture visions and targets to SAVE healthy landscapes, SEED native plant habitat and STEWARD healthy investments. Discussions connected cross-sector groups around the themes of (i) collaborating across agriculture, indigenous and conservation sectors (ii) restoring the building blocks of biodiversity on a cultural landscape (iii) conservation finance options for protecting biodiversity and (iv) leading the growth of healthy communities through progressive municipal, First Nations and corporate agendas which prioritize biodiversity protection.
Highlights
Pannels and Keynote speakers from Forum 2019.
SAVE: Big Picture Protected Areas Strategy for Biodiversity
Leverages the largest ecosystem recovery network in Canada for accelerated on-ground results around 7 objectives (below) with principles of reconciliation, biodiversity, resilient communities, effective tools, landowner stewardship and connected community. Partners are invited to explore the draft strategy, 5 year implementation plan and join this collaborative effort at CarolinianCanada.ca
Michelle Kanter Presenting the Big Picture Strategy, In the Zone programming and plant tags to forum audience
Partnership Spotlight
Standout Partner: Dari Koscinski
with Thames Talbot Land Trust
We highlight Daria for gathering protected areas data for the entire Carolinian Zone to contribute to the Southern Ontario Collaborative Challenge fund application.
Big Picture Protected Areas Task Force
There are 16 task force members representing:
Chippewa of the Thames First Nation, Ontario Parks, Upper Thames River Conservation Authority, Ontario Nature, Ontario Land Trust Alliance, University of Waterloo, City of London, Thames Talbot Land Trust, Ecologists, Six Nations of the Grand River, The Nature Conservancy of Canada, Ontario Farmland Trust, Long Point Basin Land Trust, University of Guelph, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.
Southern Ontario Collaborative for Protected Areas Partners
Ancient Forest Exploration & Research, Bruce Trail Conservancy, Couchiching Conservancy, Georgian Bay Land Trust, Haliburton Highlands Land Trust, Kawartha Land Trust, Long Point Basin Land Trust, Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority, Muskoka Conservancy, Native Conservancy Canada, Norfolk County, Oxford County, Ontario Farmland Trust, Ontario Heritage Trust, Ontario Land Trust Alliance, Ontario Nature, rare Charitable Research Reserve, Thames Talbot Land Trust, Wildlands League, World Wildlife Fund
Working With First Nations
Carolinian Canada partnered with several different indigenous peoples, including the First Nations communities of Chippewas of the Thames, Oneida, Munsee, Aamjiwnaang and the N’Amerind Friendship Centre. At the forefront of these collaborations is the joined effort with Chippewas of the Thames (COTTFN), creating the Middlesex Investment Pilot, a project designed to restore habitat over 150 acres centered in the COTTFN community. Engaging an innovative investment project through Verge Capital, private investors can contribute their funds to increasing habitat conservation (restoration and rare species recovery), finding ways to create future seed sources and other elements, which were directed by Carolinian Canada in close partnership with COTTFN. The neighbouring First Nations communities of Munsee and Oneida were active participants in this project. Aamjiwnaang First Nation was also engaged as a grower at our Go Wild Grow Wild Expo, featuring native plants from their nursery, presenting at our Annual Shifting the Paradigm Forum and contributing to native plant displays at several events.