Northern Boreal

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:

• Primary research, review and synthesis - focusing on wolverine, woodland caribou, and freshwater fish;
• Providing scientific advice to environmental organizations and contributing to boreal conservation strategy;
• Informing policy through membership on the Ontario Wolverine Recovery Team and Expert Advisory Panel for the Ontario Endangered Species Act Legislative Review;
• Development of monitoring programs and protocols; and
• Training and capacity building.