October 1st, 2006, London, ON

At-Risk Landscapes a High Priority at Carolinian Canada’s Forum

The Carolinian Life Zone of southwestern Ontario, popularly known as Carolinian Canada, is one of the richest agricultural regions in Canada and one of the most naturally vibrant, with more wild and rare species than any other part of the country.  Packed with natural beauty and diversity, it is an area unknown to most Canadians and taken for granted by many who live here.  Concern that this incredible landscape is severely at risk fuelled the creation of the Carolinian Canada Big Picture strategy to stabilize the loss of habitat in harmony with current land uses. 

The Carolinian Canada Coalition is bringing groups and people together to discuss the Big Picture at the “Growing Sustainable Connections” forum on Friday, October 20^th, 2006 at the Elm Hurst Inn, Ingersoll.  “It’s an exciting time for Carolinian Canada,” says Executive Director, Michelle Kanter. “Conservation programs are changing quickly to meet the urgency of local landscapes that are being degraded needlessly. This forum will be a mini-summit that will set the stage for us to work together across sectors so landowners, wildlife and communities can benefit.”

Forum speakers include all levels of government, including Michael Harding, mayor of Woodstock, First Nations, agriculture, planning and conservation sectors.  New conservation tools and strategies for sustainable landscapes, habitats and species at risk are the focal points for the day.  An awards ceremony will recognize leaders in landscape protection.  Cost to register for the one-day event is $40 to $70 sliding scale.

“Habitat levels here are the lowest in Canada, creating a crisis that is affecting water quality and other landscape functions,” notes Kanter, “People want a solution that they can live with and the Carolinian Canada network offers that.”  

Since 1984, member organizations and individuals of Carolinian Canada Coalition have worked together to identify conservation priorities, set common goals and coordinate actions to conserve biodiversity in Canada’s most threatened landscape.  For more information on the forum, contact Carolinian Canada Coalition at 519-433-7077 or visit the website to register at www.carolinian.org. 

Carolinian Canada Coalition is generously sponsored by the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

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Ken from Rare with Nancy	Tulip Tree by Allen Woodliffe