North of the 51st latitude lies one of the most extensive ecologically intact boreal forests in the World - virtually road less and almost free from industrial disturbances.
That is all about to change. The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources has initiated a land-use planning process (The Northern Boreal Initiative – NBI) and is actively planning for the development of all-weather road networks, mining, forestry, coal-bed methane, and hydro corridors in the region.
Some long standing Cree and Ojibwa communities, grappling to achieve a balance between economic opportunities and the maintenance of their cultural and ecological integrity, are now leading the land-use planning in some parts of Ontario’s Boreal Forest.
In anticipation of this advance - developing tools for proactive conservation planning continues to be a significant challenge. However, the lack of comprehensive baseline information on vulnerable species and the need for a critical mass of Canadian scientists (working in a focused/targeted manner) to gather and apply pertinent information are Key impediments to the planning process.
In 1997 WCS scientists in Canada began to fill a vital niche in both facets of conservation: by applying an information-based approach to real-world conservation problems as well as contributing to Canadian conservation science capacity.
In Ontario, our role has been developing in the following ways:
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Primary research, review and synthesis - focusing on wolverine, woodland caribou and freshwater fish;
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Providing scientific advice to environmental organizations and contributing to boreal conservation strategy;
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Informing policy through membership on the Ontario Wolverine Recovery Team and Expert Advisory Panel for the Ontario Endangered Species Act Legislative Review;
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Development of monitoring programs and protocols; and
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Training and capacity building.