The idea of linking Algonquin Provincial Park and Adirondack Park ecologically across the Frontenac Arch has been ongoing since the early 1990s when conservationists first envisioned a connected and sustainable series of ecosystems anchored by the two great parks. Satellite images of the area clearly show greater tree cover in this area compared with elsewhere in Ontario and New York State. Roads are fewer here and the Thousand Islands provide stepping stones across the St. Lawrence River. Beyond its limits, A2A connects northern Canada's boreal forest with the Carolinian forest of the southern U.S.A.
The A2A region is one of the most important areas for connectivity east of the Rocky Mountains, and through the A2A vision, we look at this landscape in a new way— as beetles, birds and bears do —without the imposition of borders, so movement may be unimpeded from park to park. Connectivity of the A2A landscape can be achieved by preserving and restoring natural habitat, and fostering collaboration among various stakeholders across the region to ensure sustainable practices. This includes private landowners, farmers, Indigenous communities, conservation organizations, and governments at all levels.
The A2A region is one of the most important areas for connectivity east of the Rocky Mountains, and through the A2A vision, we look at this landscape in a new way— as beetles, birds and bears do —without the imposition of borders, so movement may be unimpeded from park to park. Connectivity of the A2A landscape can be achieved by preserving and restoring natural habitat, and fostering collaboration among various stakeholders across the region to ensure sustainable practices. This includes private landowners, farmers, Indigenous communities, conservation organizations, and governments at all levels.
connectivity projects in the algonquin to Adirondacks region
These projects focus on large-landscape planning and connectivity as a means of protecting ecosystems and wildlife and promoting sustainable land use and stewardship in the A2A region.
Parks canada national priority areas for ecological corridorsParks Canada has developed a map of national priority areas for ecological corridors (NPAECs) using national-scale data and methods. These priority areas— such as the A2A region— indicate where ecological corridors are most urgently needed in Canada to conserve and/or restore connectivity. Improving or maintaining ecological connectivity in these priority areas will greatly benefit biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation.
To date, Parks Canada has identified 23 NPAECs across Canada. Visit their website to learn more about how each area was identified. |
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Quebec Ecological Corridors Initiative (QECI)Led by the Nature Conservancy of Canada, the Quebec Ecological Corridors Initiative (QECI) is a collaborative effort of 10 organizations across 11 regions working to protect and connect ecosystems through ecological corridors. By working with local communities, governments, and experts, QECI promotes sustainable land use and conservation practices that will enhance biodiversity and resilience to climate change. Its strategic priorities include land protection, road ecology solutions, and policy initiatives to ensure ecological connectivity and the health of Southern Quebec’s ecosystems.
Visit their website to view their storymap and learn about their different projects. |
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Conserving the APPALACHIANSThe Appalachians are a priority landscape for The Nature Conservancy (TNC), a global environmental nonprofit working to conserve the world's uniquely biodiverse landscapes so that nature and humans can thrive.
Along with the Amazon Rainforest and the Kenyan grasslands, the Appalachians are one of the most globally important landscapes for combating climate change and conserving biodiversity TNC is working across geographical and political landscapes to implement bold solutions to create a healthy, resilient and connected Appalachians landscape that supports a variety of wildlife and future generations. |
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Staying Connected Initiative The Staying Connected Initiative (SCI) is an international public-private partnership that works to maintain landscape connectivity across the Northern Appalachian – Acadian Region of the U.S. and Canada. By supporting a collaborative community of practice, SCI partners are improving the practice of connectivity conservation across six strategic priorities: land conservation, land-use planning, transportation and wildlife, conservation science, engagement and capacity and policy development.
View the interactive map to explore connectivity projects around the Northern Appalachian- Acadian region and visit priority linkage areas like the A2A corridor! |
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Wildlands NetworkSince 1991, the Wildlands Network's mission has been to restore wildlife populations and reconnect fragmented habitats by mapping landscapes, wildlife movement patterns, and key habitat cores linked by corridors. Through years of consolidating and analyzing wildlife and ecosystem data across the scientific community, they have identified 3 core Wildways— large protected landscapes comprised of wildlife cores and corridors— across North America: the Pacific, Western, and Eastern Wildway.
Did you know that the Eastern Wildway encompasses the A2A region? Conservation at a landscape scale will help build a connected network of wild communities across North America in order to preserve and restore key ecosystems, allowing wildlife to move across their historic habitat ranges. |
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Ontario Nature's Greenway InitiativeTo protect nature in southern Ontario's crowded landscape, Ontario Nature created the Greenway Initiative, which focuses on protecting and restoring a connected landscape of cores and corridors. Among the initiative's goals: restore large areas of natural heritage; ensure water systems remain clean and intact; provide habitat for wildlife and species-at-risk; connect farmers, conservationists and communities; and, keep natural areas healthy for present and future generations.
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connectivity projects in north america
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Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y)Established in 1993, Y2Y is a joint Canada-US not-for-profit organization that seeks to preserve and maintain the wildlife, native plants, wilderness and natural processes of the mountainous region from Yellowstone National Park to the Yukon Territory. This incredible landscape—home to grizzly bears, caribou, wolves, and more— is over 1.3 million square kilometres and represents the most intact large mountain region in North America. Y2Y focuses on identifying core habitat areas, protecting these areas, and connecting them so wildlife can experience unimpeded movement across the region. Thanks to the actions of Y2Y and their partners, they have increased key protected areas by 80% since 1993.
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Baja, California to the Bering Sea (B2B)From the Gulf of the California to the Bering Sea, the west coast of North America is home to unique and important shared marine environments. Home to a number of shared marine species— such as leatherback sea turtles, Heermann's gulls, and Pacific blue and gray whales—that migrate thousands of kilometres across national borders, the marine environments of Mexico, U.S.A, and Canada are intimately linked. Recognizing the unified effort needed to conserve the marine environment of the North American west coast, the Marine Conservation Biology Institute and the Commission for Environmental Cooperation released a study in 2005 highlighting 28 priority conservation areas essential to preserving the biological diversity of the B2B region. These priority areas include coral gardens, globally unique reefs, productive fishing groups, marine mammal hotspots, coastal lagoons, and areas of unparalleled biodiversity.
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