Introducing you to our home if you come from away. The other night I was heading to one of our artists' homes and stopped in awe: through a misty, unseasonably warm, october sunset, cut the form of a Bald Eagle. Time to talk about one of our main collaborators and contributors to our inspiration.
The Frontenac Arch Biosphere is one of North America's most diverse land bridges, connecting five different forest regions it reaches from Gananoque to Brockville, Sydenham to Westport. 2700 square km of a biodiverse landscape - a meeting place of ecosystems, flora and fauna unlike anywhere in the world. This is Eastern America's last intact forest corridor.
Through a truly herculean effort the designation was established, but most people do not know that even being a UNESCO site it is not fully protected. It is part of our mandate, along with the many already here, to promote education of our region and showcase, through leave no trace programming, an appreciation for our core collaborator: the environment. The Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve is held in trust by agreement of a community, and an owed acknowledgement of Indigenous land stewards who have and continue to protect these lands. Through a concerted effort, the region gained UNESCO world heritage designation in 2002.
UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It seeks to build peace through international cooperation in education, sciences and culture. UNESCO’s programs contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals defined in the 2030 Agenda, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015. These are traditional lands in stewardship of Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee, and Huron-Wendat Territories. Much of it is unceded Algonquin Anishinaabe territory and is a part of the Algonquin Land Claim by the Algonquins of Ontario currently under negotiation with the federal government of Canada. The Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee Nations lived in relationship with the lands. The Dish with One Spoon wampum belt covenant agreement between the Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee nations governs this land-base. In the Dish with One Spoon agreement, the dish symbolizes shared territory, while the spoon indicates that people are eating out of the single dish, hunting in the shared territory and expected to share the game and fish, not only with each other, but also in a manner that leaves enough for the future.
Acknowledgement of these facts requires recognition of the precolonial history of this land and the peoples who lived here and continue to live here. The cultures and spiritualities of Indigenous peoples are connected to the land and the land is an integral part of their ways of knowing and living.
The Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve in Eastern Ontario is home to a wide variety of plant and animal species, including:
Birds: Over 400 species, including the Cerulean Warbler, Louisiana waterthrush, and Prairie Warbler
Reptiles and amphibians: Over 50 species, including the Endangered
Other animals: Moose, beaver, and eagles
Notable species: Gray ratsnake, Spiny softshell turtle, Deerberry shrub (This shrub is threatened in Ontario, and the 1000 Islands is home to five of the six surviving populations.) and the Whip-poor-will. This nocturnal bird is considered threatened and is on the Species at Risk list. Mesmerizing to hear their call come out at night.
The Frontenac Arch Biosphere is unique for a number of reasons, including:
Diverse ecosystems
The biosphere reserve includes five forest types, marshes, lakes, and two migratory systems
Precambrian granite
The ancient granite bedrock provides a habitat for many rare and endangered species
Migratory routes
The islands and islets of the Saint Lawrence River provide important stepping stones for migrating species
Rideau Canal
One of the oldest human-made waterways, the Rideau Canal connects the north and south ends of the region
If you do come to join us, be mindful of warning signs and your speed. The triple threat to the Arch is Highway 2, the 401, and 1000 Islands Parkway which is the leading cause of mortality in the region.
Check out this incredible documentary about our pristine playground.
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