Ecosystem Recovery Update Workshop June 2009

“Biodiversity Hotspot” Presentations now Online
Follow-up from the Ecosystem Recovery Update, June 5th, 2009

Our June Ecosystem Recovery Update focused on conservation actions taking place across the highly diverse Niagara and Hamilton regions. Participants examined the benefits of creating collaborative conservation plans (Conservation Action Plans) in these “biodiversity hotspots” and provided updates on their own initiatives.

Guest speakers provided transferable lessons from around the world, while representatives from three pilot CAP areas within the Carolinian Life zone spoke about the progress they had made.

Panel of presenters at the June 5th CAP workshop (credit: Bronwen Buck)

Global Perspectives on Conservation Action Planning

Three guest speakers sparked discussion by supplying insights from their own experience with Conservation Action Plans (CAP):

• Mark Carabetta, a former ecologist with The Nature Conservancy (US), demonstrated Conservation Action Planning’s effectiveness in Northeastern US forests
  • Mark demonstrated the effectiveness of the CAP approach in zeroing in on key ecological attributes and threats to effectively address conservation issues. (Click here for his presentation on Conserving Forested and Freshwater Systems in the Northeastern US).
    
    
• Dan Paleczny, of Ontario Parks, who took a sabbatical to work with conservation practitioners in Egypt. Dan spoke about how Conservation Action Planning could be adapted for use in protected areas in northeastern Africa.
  • Key features of Dan’s presentation included the need for engaging the local community and addressing economic implications of protected areas development. (Click here for his presentation, Adaptive Planning: A View from Egypt).
    
    
• Michelle Yaskowich, representing the Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan, spoke about the role of Conservation Action Planning for the prairie grassland systems and agricultural communities of Saskatchewan.
  • The presentation focused on the implementation of conservation action through landowner stewardship and social engagement. Local groups take the lead, and partnerships are key. (Click here for her presentation, The Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan and the Role of Agriculture).
  
  

Pilot CAP Updates

• Kristyn Fergusson – Essex CAP Update [hyperlink to Essex CAP power point] (click here for the completed Essex CAP report)
• Kari Jean – Ausable River: Kettle Point to Pinery (click here to download)
• Bonnie Borgesma – provided a verbal update on Thames River Watershed Conservation Action Plan  

Participants take notes at the June 5th CAP workshop (credit: Bronwen Buck)

Photos
(photo credits: Bronwen Buck)