The Manicouagan-Uapishka World Biosphere Reserve; where evidence-based conservation decision-making rhymes with exemplarity, innovation and solidarity

The Manicouagan-Uapishka World Biosphere Reserve; where evidence-based conservation decision-making rhymes with exemplarity, innovation and solidarity

- Marianne Valcourt, Manicouagan-Uapishka World Biosphere Reserve

ABSTRACT:

The presentation will give an insight of the Manicouagan-Uapishka World Biosphere Reserve (MUWBR) and highlight the different conservation projects and initiatives and how we stay true to our values (exemplarity, innovation, and solidarity) through our actions. The MUWBR obtained its UNESCO international designation status in 2007 and is since an important factor in the development of the Manicouagan region in Québec, Canada and stands out within a world network of excellence. Our top priority as a biosphere reserve is to strengthen the collaboration between all stakeholders in the territory, in order to work together to achieve the goals of sustainable development. Part of the Pessamit Innu’s Nitassinan, bordered by the St-Lawrence River to the South and the 5 000 km2 Uapishka mountain range to the North, the MUWBR territory has a lot to offer. There are a few protected areas within the biosphere reserve, the most active and widely used of which is the Uapishka Biodiversity Reserve, which covers the western part of the Uapishka Mountains. The uniqueness and remoteness of those mountains attract hikers and researchers every year. The growing numbers of visitors, and the global warming bring new challenges in terms of conservation and education. Therefore, the MUWBR has many ongoing projects regarding long-term monitoring of alpine plants (GLORIA protocol), climate surveillance with the implementation of weather stations, monitoring of the impact of hiking trails on alpine tundra plants with drones, to name a few. Therefore, the MUWBR participates in management committee consultations and conservation plans for the Uapishka Biodiversity Reserve and provides tangible data to help make evidence-based decisions. In addition, other scientific data can be used in the decision making of the Biodiversity Reserve Management Committee through our many partnerships with university researchers and/or government entities. The MUWBR also has projects related to environmental education, and indigenous culture. As an example, the Pessamit Innu, in collaboration with the MUWBR, built the Uapishka station, a touristic and research facility, placed in the heart of the Innu’s Nitassinan, between the Manicouagan reservoir and the Uapishka Mountains. In addition, the Uapishka station has a new emergency and research shelter in the middle of the mountain plateau, which increases the level of safety for users of the territory and facilitates access to the heart of the Groulx Mountains for researchers. This shelter allows the realization of new research projects, such as long-term weather and flora monitoring.

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Exploring what makes a good research network model

Exploring what makes a good research network model

- Anurani Persaud, Ontario Parks and Candace Goodwin, University of Toronto and CPPCL Knowledge Gatherer

ABSTRACT:

Research networks play a key role in directly fostering partnerships and indirectly supporting decision-making within park agencies. Leveraging relationships with partners (academics, conservation organizations, non-profits, etc.) is essential for park agencies to meet their information and science needs. This is especially important under circumstances when the capacity of park agencies is limited and insufficient to generate the information required for evidence-based decision-making. Our goals are to explore past and current research network models, and discuss how to create effective networks to help park agencies build productive relationships and get the most relevant information for decision-making and effective protected areas planning and management.

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Governance Arrangements

Governance Arrangements

- Gilbert Adum, University of Saskatchewan

ABSTRACT:

The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity has prioritized Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) to achieve its post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework’s target of protecting 30% of the Earth’s land surface by 2030. OECMs are sites outside of statutory protected areas where Indigenous Peoples and other local communities can benefit equitably from socio-economic and cultural activities while effectively conserving biodiversity. Since 2018, biosphere reserve practitioners in Canada have argued that their buffer zones could serve as OECMs due to their broad geography including diverse wildlife habitats. However, given the buffer zones’ multi-rightsholder and multi-use nature, conflicts and synergies may compromise the OECM standards of effective and sustained conservation. This concept paper proposes a framework for “conservation with equity” by which to assess management effectiveness and equitable governance of OECMs and applies the framework as a pilot to three UNESCO biosphere reserves in Canada: Mount Arrowsmith, Clayoquot Sound, and Redberry Lake. The governance framework is developed from an analysis and synthesis of academic literature, international policy documents, and reports associated with Canadian biosphere reserve periodic reviews.

The framework will detail principles and criteria for effective and equitable governance, being mindful to distinguish between Indigenous Peoples’ shared rights and responsibilities and those distinctive to them, such as land, status, and self-determination. Following our pilot application, the framework may help to inform future assessments of the suitability of the buffer areas in Canada’s biosphere reserves to meet the requirements for conservation and to interpret practical measures to achieve conservation with equity.

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Naturalist skills crash course for BIPoC undergraduates: increasing access through skill-building and community

Naturalist skills crash course for BIPoC undergraduates: increasing access through skill-building and community

- Aranya Iyer, Field Research in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Diversified (FREED)

ABSTRACT:

There is a clear underrepresentation of Indigenous, Black and/or Racialized individuals in ecology and evolutionary biology (EEB) that only intensifies higher up the academic ladder. Field work experience is one barrier to the advancement in EEB. An essential part of understanding and connecting to nature is having the opportunity to observe and apply naturalist skills in a safe and encouraging outdoor space. Whether it is catching turtles in canoes or nicknaming our favourite birds, field work is both incredibly fun and deepens our entanglement with natural world, which fuels development of new research questions. However, field work experience is not a privilege afforded to all students in EEB. Economic and social barriers among others disproportionately affect Indigenous, Black and/or Racialized students and preclude their participation. Limited access to field work experience is one early obstacle that can prevent Indigenous, Black, and/or Racialized students from getting involved in ecological and evolutionary research and pursuing careers in this field. Providing access to a range of field experiences can help create a more diverse next generation of student researchers by fostering scientific interest and providing access to those who otherwise may have limited opportunities in the field of EEB. FREED is an organization with a mandate to increase access to field work for Indigenous, Black and/or Racialized undergraduate students. FREED’s inaugural event hosted 14 students on a paid week-long crash course on naturalist and field work skills at Algonquin Provincial Park. We worked in collaboration with Ontario Parks and Algonquin Park naturalists to create a space for connection to nature and foster a community with a passion for EEB. Our goal was and is to increase the skillset, confidence and professional connections of our participants and a large part of this is working in partnership with academic institutions and Parks. FREED worked in tandem with Ontario Parks and Algonquin PP this past year to ensure a successful week for the participants and we are excited at the possibility on continuing this collaboration in future years. Based on immediate feedback, we found that we successfully reached our goal of imparting naturalist skills and creating a professional and inclusive community for our passionate undergraduate students. We are excited to share the photographs and stories of FREED 2022 during our presentation alongside our vision to increase representation in fieldwork and EEB at large as we consider expanding FREED to other institutions and organizations.

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Talking Trash – Challenging Perspectives on Garbage in Parks

Talking Trash - Challenging Perspectives on Garbage in Parks

- Susan Staple, Parks Canada Agency; Franz Plangger, Outdoor Council of Canada; Richard Vinson, Leave no Trace Canada; Judith Kasiama, Colour the Trails; CJ Blye, Dalhousie University Recreation Management

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COP15 and the Biodiversity Framework

COP15 and the Biodiversity Framework

- Gilles Seutin, Parks Canada Agency

ABSTRACT:

The Fifth Annual Marine Protected Areas Congress (IMPAC5) will be held in Vancouver from February 2 to February 9th, 2023. The intent of this session is to share highlights from the event along with key messages on outcomes. Parks Canada hopes to gather anecdotes and stories from a variety of participants both Canadian and International and share them with eSummit participants who were not able to attend IMPAC5 to give them a bit of a behind the scenes look at the event and what was presented in advance of any formal proceedings. We hope to use a variety of multimedia including video and audio clips, images and live presenter to share stories of their experiences and what they learned at IMPAC5 and want others to know.

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