By Doug Tozer, Ontario Program Scientist, Bird Studies Canada
The Long Point area is one of the richest locations for wildlife and plants in the country. Indeed, the area has received an impressively long list of recognitions in this respect, including:
- United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization Biosphere Reserve
- Ramsar Convention on Wetlands Site
- Bird Studies Canada and BirdLife International Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas:
Bird Studies Canada staff and former staff at the conference.
Photo: Andrew Couturier
Recently, Bird Studies Canada staff presented some of our latest science at the Long Point World Biosphere Reserve Foundation’s sixth Research and Conservation Conference in Simcoe, Ontario. Ian Fife, our Forest Birds at Risk Coordinator, overviewed recent findings from Southern Ontario’s Forest Birds at Risk Program, which monitors and guides stewardship action for Acadian Flycatcher, Louisiana Waterthrush, Cerulean Warbler, and other Carolinian Forest specialists of conservation concern. Dr. Doug Tozer gave a summary of a recent peer-reviewed scientific paper that uses Great Lakes Marsh Monitoring Program data to show the benefits of wetland conservation projects for marsh-breeding birds, frogs, and species at risk, including data from sites within the biosphere reserve. Andrew Couturier, in his dual capacity of Senior Director, Landscape Science and Conservation, and member of the Biosphere’s Board of Directors, moderated one of the conference sessions.
Numerous other presentations and posters were delivered on a variety of topics by researchers working in the Long Point area. Topics included butterflies, salamanders, snakes, plants, education, and conservation planning, such as an overview of the Long Point Walsingham Forest Integrated Conservation Action Plan headed by Canadian Wildlife Service (Ontario), which has received ample input from Bird Studies Canada staff. The conference was an excellent opportunity to showcase Bird Studies Canada’s efforts to put our monitoring data to work to help achieve effective conservation on the ground, as well as learn from others attempting to achieve the same types of outcomes in the Long Point region.
In addition to the scientific presentations, Norfolk mayor-elect Kristal Chopp spoke eloquently of the need to harmonize economic growth with environmental stewardship. More about the one-day conference can be found in this news article in the Simcoe Reformer.
Bird Studies Canada sincerely thanks the Long Point World Biosphere Reserve Foundation for hosting this important and very useful conference. We are looking forward to attending again in the future to showcase our progress in conserving this extremely important and diverse region.
