Dick Bourgeois-Doyle

Volunteers make Long Point Turtle Hatchery a Success

1,112 turtle eggs were excavated from vulnerable nest around Long Point and transported to the Marshview Welcome and Education Centre at Long Point Eco Adventures by a team of dedicated volunteers.  These eggs—collected over the summer of 2024—were the first ever collected for the Long Point Turtle Hatchery!

Lauren Nightingale Turtle Hatchery Coordinator

They include midland painted, snapping, and norther map turtle eggs. Our mentors and colleagues at the Turtle Lab in the London Watershed Conservation Centre graciously took in many more clutches when we reached our processing capacity.  This included all of our threatened Blanding’s turtle eggs.

With your support, thousands of hatching turtles will peck their way out of their shells in the years ahead.  But each  must be health checked, measured, weighed, and finally released into the marsh and this must be within 1 km of where their mothers originally laid them. At the same time, we hope to have a multi-faceted exhibit in place to educate students, visitors, and area residents about the need for road ecology projects. This will help address the core problem facing our turtles (deaths on roads) that make volunteer road patrols and nest excavation necessary.

None of this would have been possible without the generous donations our community contributed alongside support from the Long Point Biosphere Region, Eco Adventures, Scott Gillingwater and his Turtle Lab team in London, our amazing Wildlife Road Watch volunteers, Environment and Climate Change Canada through the LPWF Priority Place’s Road Ecology Working Group, Eco-Kare International, and Eco Canada. 

Special thanks to Mitchell Plastics of Kitchener for donating 30 vests to our program and to volunteer Patti Moore for adding the Biosphere logo to the vests.

We continue to need materials and funds to complete the task and, we hope, establish the hatchery as a permanent facility serving the Long Point Biosphere Region.

Please consider contributing to the Long Point Biosphere Region Turtle Hatchery!

Click Here to Donate

If you are not able to contribute financially but wish to help another way, please consider joining Wildlife Road Watch, our volunteer program.  You  will be trained to safely help turtles cross roads and to identify turtle nests for excavation along several key nesting hotspots.

If you are interested, please consider subscribing at wildlifeonroads.com  or reach out to Lauren at lnightingale@eco-kare.com for more information.

For more on what’s happening in the Long Point Biosphere check out our newsletter here.

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Promoting Eco-Tourism in Canada

Building on the success of its first ever Eco-Crawl last year, the Long Point Biosphere is looking to expand its promotion of sustainable tourism in Norfolk County over the coming months.  This will include new initiatives to support designated Amazing Places in our area and collaborations with other Biosphere regions in Ontario and across Canada.

The Amazing Places program identifies sites for residents and visitors to learn about physical, biological or historical features that are unique to our region. The initiative, funded by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, the Ontario Trillium Foundation, and Mountain Equipment Co-op, was established in 2022 with information materials and special itineraries for those looking to explore the region.

This year this material will be repackaged in formats that make it easier for visitors and local residents to reference and to possibly expand the Long Point Biosphere Eco-Crawl.

Last  year the Eco-Crawl was launched in conjunction with Port Rowan’s Bayfest celebrations with funding under the Norfolk County Community Grants Program. The funding covered bus shuttle services to help visitors and residents learn more about conservation organizations such as Birds Canada, Long Point Basin Land Trust, Turkey Point Provincial Park, and Long Point Provincial Park as well as sustainable businesses such as Long Point Eco-Adventures,  Burning Kiln Winery, Inasphere Winery and Farm, South Coast Gardens, Meuse Brewery. and more.  The Eco-Crawl also showcased the Long Point Turtle Hatchery project and promoted other conservation activities with display and information tables at Birds Canada headquarters.

“We have a rich portfolio of businesses and organizations dedicated to conservation and the natural environment in the Biosphere,” said Tom Via, LPBR Chair. “The Eco-Crawl celebrates these organizations and our partnerships, and it will be great to expand it in the future in conjunction with the Amazing Places program.”

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Betty Chanyi

The Long Point Biosphere Region (LPBR) joins the family members, friends and admirers mourning the passing of the former Norfolk County Councillor and active community leader Betty Chanyi last fall (September 2024).

Betty’s career as an educator and work as a member of many local organization are documented in the tributes that have been made by many others in other venues.

We would like to recognize her vigorous support for the Long Point Biosphere and the drive to promote conservation and sustainable communities.

This was recognized with her status as a Life Member of the LPBR.

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JAMES EDWARD “JIM” WILSON (1953 – 2024)

The Long Point Biosphere Region (LPBR) joins with the many friends and family members  mourning the March 27, 2024 passing of Jim Wilson, a highly respected and valued LPBR volunteer.  Jim loved the outdoors, camping, fishing, and canoeing, and this led him to active involvement in the drive to preserve Norfolk County’s natural heritage.

Jim began working with the Biosphere in 1995 as a manager when the first Smithsonian Institution / EMAN (Ecological Management Assessment Network) survey plot was installed in Backus Woods.  This project, initiated with the help of area school students, was an inspiring start to broader ecological monitoring efforts in the area and the basis for better reporting on ecosystem changes.

Jim then took over the Biosphere salamander monitoring program and led it as a volunteer for two decades.  His work created one of the longest-running data sets on salamanders in North America and helped establish the stability of terrestrial salamander populations in our region.  This achievement was documented and confirmed in recent years by Dr. Pat Chow-Frasier’s lab at MacMaster University.

For this work, Jim was honoured with the Dr. Thomas Brydges Award at an EMAN national gathering. The award recognizes “volunteers who demonstrate enthusiastic leadership and commitment to advance ecological monitoring and research in Canada.”

Jim’s dedication benefited the Long Point Biosphere in many ways beyond the salamander program drawing media and broad public interest.  He and his son Nick (both are pictured together here), who served as Biosphere President for several years, were, for example, featured in the popular TVO documentary Striking Balance. The documentary showcased the important link between salamander populations and the overall health of Southern Ontario’s Carolinian Forest.

“Dad was always proud of the work he did with the Long Point Biosphere and loved to share pictures and stories about it whenever he could,” said Nick Wilson, adding that he was glad to have the opportunity to spend so much time over the years sharing in one of his father’s great passions. “Dad understood the importance of the work we were doing and showed a real commitment to it.”

His family has asked that donations be made to the Biosphere or the London Regional Cancer Program in Jim’s memory.

JAMES EDWARD “JIM” WILSON (1953 – 2024) Read More »

Start Planning: 12th Research & Conservation Conference

As we approach the one-year anniversary of our 11th Long Point Biosphere Region Research and Conservation Conference (See Youtube videos of presentations), we’re thrilled to announce that preparations for our 12th conference, scheduled for November 1, 2024, are well underway. 

Last year’s event was a resounding success, bringing together passionate minds dedicated to conservation and research within our unique biosphere. But this year, we’re aiming even higher!

We’re planning an even bigger and better gathering, with more opportunities to connect, learn, and collaborate. This year, we’re excited to offer a second room dedicated to our partners—a space where you can showcase your work, feature your latest projects, and display your organization’s gear. It’s the perfect platform to highlight your contributions to conservation and engage with attendees who share your commitment to protecting our environment.

If you’re interested in taking your involvement to the next level, we invite you to join us as a sponsor. Your support will not only help us enhance the conference experience but also provide you with valuable exposure to a targeted audience of conservation professionals, researchers, and community members. Together, we can make this year’s conference truly unforgettable.

Don’t miss out on the chance to be part of something special.

Mark your calendars for November 1, 2024, and stay tuned for more details on how you can get involved!

For Info or Sponsorship contact: conference@longpointbiosphere.com

 

Start Planning: 12th Research & Conservation Conference Read More »

Local Groups Discuss Priority Place Progress

On March 12, 2024, members of the five Working Groups that have been established under the Long Point Walsingham Forest (LPWF) Priority Place collaborative met with key partners in Port Rowan to reflect on progress and obstacles encountered under the initiative.  The individuals attending the meeting represented a diverse array of local NGOs and included a representative from Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), the funder of the program.  The assembly, the first face-to-face meeting of the Working Groups since the Covid-19 shutdown, sought to enhance communications and outreach opportunities.

The meeting featured contributions from coordinators of the Working Groups: Road Ecology, Open Country, Agricultural Runoff, Forested and Treed Swamps, and Invasive Species. The event was enriched by the presence of notable guests including Tom Masschaele from Norfolk County Council, environmental expert Peter Zuzek, representatives Jess and Fawn Sault from the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, and Julia Sunga from the ECCC’s Canadian Wildlife Service.

Dr. Sunga shared insights into ECCC’s new larger Carolinian Zone Priority Place and discussed what changes may be experienced by the partners of the LPWF Working Groups. Participants were asked to consider the implications for their work and to consider new collaborative partnerships with players in the larger Zone.

While attendees acknowledged challenges, there was a unanimous sense of achievement regarding the strides made toward the goals set by the respective Working Groups. Discussions also highlighted new ventures and underscored the pivotal role of Priority Place funding in bolstering and expanding collaborative habitat restorations.

Cynthia Brink, the event’s organizer from the Long Point Biosphere, reflected on the meeting as productive and a significant step forward, expressing optimism for the organization of similar future engagements.

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100 Area Schools supported in Project FeederWatch







Students at over 100 schools in our region will have the resources to participate in the 2024 edition of Project FeederWatch, one of North America’s most engaging education and citizen science initiatives, due to the generosity of Armstong Milling Co. Ltd. of Hagersville.

Armstrong is donating bird feed to all of the schools in our area in conjunction with the acquisition of bird feeders at a highly discounted rate thanks to Doerksen County Store in Port Rowan.

Project FeederWatch is an international research and education collaboration led by Birds Canada and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.  The project depends on volunteers like students in the Long Point Biosphere region who collect vital data on bird populations.  The inventory takes place at different times throughout the year.  The observations made by students and other volunteers help to measure changes in the range and abundance of bird species and help ensure the health of their habitat.

With funding from Nature Canada, under its Naturehood Outdoor Education Program, the Long Point Biosphere Region has been actively promoting Project FeederWatch with area schools for several years . The Biosphere’s Cynthia Brink has overseen the distribution of educational kits to the schools to magnify the Feederwatch experience.

“Project FeederWatch  is a wonderful way for students to build a connection to nature,” said Brink. “We are delighted that the support of Armstrong and local firms like the Doerksen Country Store will allow the school program to continue and expand in our region.”

Armstrong, a Hagersville-based firm, is Canada’s leading Wild Bird Food manufacturer. 

Anyone can join Project FeederWatch and take part in a  survey.  Find out more Click Here. 

 For a FeederWatch live cam Click Here

100 Area Schools supported in Project FeederWatch Read More »

12th Annual Research and Conservation Conference

The Long Point Biosphere Region is pleased to invite you to submit a proposal for a presentation or poster at our 12th Annual Research and Conservation Conference.  Click here for letter of invitation.

  • Date: Friday, November 1st , 2024
  • 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • Location: Port Dover Lions Community Centre

As one of Canada’s 19 Biosphere Reserves in Canada designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Long Point Biosphere Region provides support for research, monitoring, education, and information exchange related to local, national and global issues of biodiversity conservation and sustainability.

This year’s Research and Conservation Conference is an excellent opportunity for academic and student researchers, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and the public to take part in a lively exchange of ideas related to local environmental sustainability and conservation.

We invite proposals for paper presentations and stand-alone poster presentations.  Proposals must be relevant and/or applicable to Long Point Biosphere Region.

Submission instructions:

All proposals must be submitted by June 25th, 2024.

The conference organizing committee is accepting two distinct types of proposals. Presentation and Poster proposals – proposals should be submitted HERE

  • Conference Presentation: to fit segments time slots of 20 minutes (including 5 minutes for questions and answers). Presenters will be scheduled throughout he day in the most appropriate order based on the topic. Shorter presentations will also be considered and evaluated based on available time slots.
  • Conference Poster: Selected poster projects will be displayed at the venue for attendees to browse and discuss with representatives.

All submissions should clearly state the type of submission (e.g. individual paper, conference poster, thesis presentation, etc.) and include an abstract of 200–300 words including:

  • The topic of study
  • Goals and objectives
  • Key findings and conclusions
  • Institutional affiliation and contact email of the contributor(s).

Presentations must be formatted in Microsoft PowerPoint.

Acceptance confirmations will be sent on July 15, 2024.

There will be a small registration fee of $45.00 for adults and $25.00 for students to cover the cost of a healthy lunch, snacks and coffee breaks. We look forward to receiving your submissions.

Summary

Call for Papers / Poster Submissions Deadline June 25th, 2024

Notification of Acceptance July 15th, 2024

Presentation Schedule Release September 5th, 2024

Event Registration Open / Close Now / November 1st, 2024

Cynthia Brink, Conference Coordinator at: conference@longpointbiosphere.com

Cell phone: 226-567-0465

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2023 Biosphere Conference called “Best Ever!”

Featuring new format enhancements and a robust lineup of presentations, the 2023 Long Point Biosphere Region Research and Conservation Conference garnered enthusiastic praise from its 120-plus attendees. Many labeled it the “best ever” in the event’s eleven-year history.

Taking place on Friday, November 3, 2023 at the Port Dover Community Centre, the annual conference showcased recent discoveries and conservation efforts within the Biosphere. For the first time, poster presentations, exhibits, and displays enjoyed dedicated space in a separate room, providing participants with more flexibility to explore information and discuss issues outside the main program schedule during breaks.  Organizations like Birds Canada, the St. Williams Conservation Reserve Community Council, ALUS, McMaster University, and many others had displays.

Amid the UN decade of Ecological Restoration, which aims to both prevent and reverse the degradation of ecosystems, the conference main stage research presentations shed light on numerous restoration projects and research within the Long Point Walsingham Forest Priority Place. Papers such as the Southern Seed Strategy, Recovering Tallgrass Butterfly Communities, and Insect Biomass Trends were among the highlights.

The conference commenced on a positive note with the Long Point Biosphere Region’s heartfelt Land Acknowledgment, followed by an opening ceremony from Elder Garry Sault of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nations. Keynote speaker Peter Zuzek presented a concerning overview of geomorphology issues impacting the Long Point sand spit. Reviewing recent data and geological history, Zuzek highlighted how changes in habitat size and condition affect the broader natural environment. Structures along the Lake Erie coast, such as retaining walls and armoring, were noted for impacting the Long Point sand spit, causing it to shrink as sand is transported into deeper waters.

Zuzek emphasized that while sand spits typically grow over time in the natural environment, Long Point has lost over 300 hectares to erosion in the past 50 years. Collaborating with communities and other stakeholders, Zuzek and his colleagues are actively working to find solutions.

Cynthia Brink, Biosphere program manager and conference organizer, noted, “This provided an excellent opportunity for people to share information and plan research collaborations. It also served as a great opportunity to connect the community and students from a local high school with the amazing work being accomplished right here in their county.”

The annual Biosphere Conference, open to anyone interested in the region, its natural environment, and development, has proven to be a valuable platform for fostering collaborations. Organizers are excited to build on this year’s success in 2024. The conference is supported by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) in the context of the Long Point Walsingham Forest Priority Place project. 

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