Explore Carolinian Canada

Since 1984, Carolinian Canada Coalition (CCC), now a registered charity, has been a leading ecoregional group in Canada. Stretching from Toronto to Windsor, the Carolinian Life Zone of southwestern Ontario is among North America's most vibrant and fragile ecoregions. CCC brings together diverse sectors, people and governments to collaboratively steward southwestern Ontario's unique habitat network, green infrastructure to support thriving wild and human communities in harmony for generations. (Canadian Registered Charity 83559 4722 RR0001)

Our Mission

Protect and restore natural heritage in the Carolinian Life Zone for healthy, sustainable landscapes through stewardship, cooperation and research.

Our Vision

Greening the Future in southwestern Ontario

The Coalition's vision for healthy landscapes is demonstrated by the Big Picture, an important tool for hundreds of conservation allies and stakeholders to restore a natural heritage system in harmony with existing land uses. The Coalition uses the Big Picture as a basis for exploring key issues, networking between stakeholders, promoting a researched understanding and catalyzing effective action.
Click to Explore CCC's Big Picture

Our Mandate

1. To preserve, protect and restore the flora and fauna of the Carolinian Life Zone in southwestern Ontario, by organizing and participating in environmental projects.
2. To conduct research relating to environmental issues affecting the Carolinian Life Zone in southwestern Ontario and to disseminate the results of such research to the public.
3. To educate and increase the public's understanding of the importance of conserving the natural features of the Carolinian Life Zone in southwestern Ontario by developing and offering educational materials and programs.

Our Supporters

The Coalition is supported by donations, memberships and grants from groups such as the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Parks Canada, TD Friends of the Environment, Environment Canada, University of Waterloo, Trans-Canada Trail, Essex Region Conservation Authority, Lambton Wildlife Incorporated and many others.

Governance

Our board and committees bring together major public and private organizations in conservation, First Nations, planning, agriculture, forestry, stewardship, education and others who care for the land. All share a vision to cooperatively protect and restore a network of high quality natural areas across Carolinian Canada for enhanced quality of life for all.

The activities of the Coalition are directed by a Board of Directors drawn from a wide range of sectors. Coordination for Coalition activities is provided by an Executive Director, Michelle Kanter.

Our Programs & Activities

The Coalition is an important link between conservation leaders and thousands of allies on the ground.

• From 1984-1994, Carolinian Canada funded land acqusition and stewardship projects directed at conserving 38 critical unprotected areas across the region. These programs resulted in private landowners agreeing to conserve over 15,000 acres and acquisition of 2,000 acres by conservation groups. Public education and scientific studies were also undertaken.
• The "Big Picture" project is a state-of-the-art combination of conservation science and computerized mapping technology used to develop a system of natural areas across the entire Carolinian Zone. The Carolinian Canada Big Picture is used by hundreds of conservation allies and stakeholders to restore a natural heritage system in harmony with existing land uses. The Coalition uses the Big Picture to forge partnerships and take action for healthy landscapes.
• The Coalition is a central networking hub for conservation in southwestern Ontario, providing regular communiciations and venue for discussion between public and private partners involved in landscape stewardship.
• The Coalition has a multi-faceted outreach program including talks, presentations, displays, educational publications, heritage plaques and advice to interested groups. Our annual Conservation Awards recogize and encourage 'conservation champions' among many sectors.
• Our Ecosystem Recovery Program works with communities to develop and implement Conservation Action Plans that address the recovery of over 50 legally protected Species at Risk in the region. Facilitated by the Coalition, these plans are developed by teams of stakeholders including municipalities, community groups, First Nations and stewardship groups.
• Our youth programs include the Carolinian Student Intern (CSI) Program that matches University Co-op students with stewardship employers and annual Species at Risk Camp.
• Our new Coastal Program is developing a Lake Erie Community Stewardship Trail to promote enjoyment, awareness and action for coastal ecosystems, habitats and species at risk.