Nature needs us, And we need nature. We believe we can live in harmony

THe A2A Region

Our region is special. It lies between, and encompasses, Adirondack State Park in New York State and Algonquin Park in Ontario. It contains the pinch-point in the extremely important habitat corridor that extends from Georgia to the Boreal Forest. The pinch-point is where the corridor crosses the St. Lawrence River at the Thousand Islands. We concentrate on improving ecological connectivity to ensure that within our region nature can flourish and the corridor can function as a pathway for wildlife

the Gananoque River Watershed 

We tested water quality, and assessed shoreline habitat, identified aquatic species habitat, and catalogued species in seven of the 17 lakes along the Gananoque River Watershed. We then provided photos and individual reports to shoreline property owners along those lakes. The reports offered suggestions where improvements would benefit water quality and native biodiversity.
​A2A team seining to determine ecological health in the waters of the Gananoque River Watershed and to find species at risk

Road ecology

In Ontario we have completed biological studies to determine where structures should be built to enable wildlife to safely cross Ontario Highway 401 where it parallels the Thousand Islands. This narrow area is the gateway between the north and south sections of the continental habitat corridor. However, the highway blocks wildlife movement. Our report is being edited and fine tuned before publication.  In New York State we are engaged in determining where there are wildlife pathways that will be able to connect with the highway crossing structures that will be recommended in Ontario 
Researching species presence beside the four-lane Highway 401

Pilgrame for nature

We created a 640-kilometre trail from Adirondack State Park to Algonquin Park. Alice the Moose was the inspiration. She had been radio-collared in central Adirondack Park, and wandered all the way to the eastern part of Algonquin Park. The trail crosses over the St. Lawrence River on the International Bridge.
The trail skirts wildlife core areas and still goes through picturesque countrysides. Parts of the trail can be traversed over lake and rivers

Conservation action planning

CAP established a framework for developing conservation strategies. It provides a method for planning, executing, and evaluating initiatives. Using it we identified the expansion of invasive species in the A2A Region as a top priority item. Following that we held an invasive plant workshop aimed at investigating possibilities for collaborative action and funding. We also developed an A2A “lens” which can be used to develop local conservation plans.
Brainstorming during a session on conservation action planning

Partnerships

We have 65 partners with whom we collaborate, as well as working in solidarity with indigenous nations
At a meeting in 2020 a group of representatives from several partner organizations met to discuss plans for the Pilgrimage for Nature Trail

 

invasive species

​This a relatively new initiative it is aimed at recording locations of invasive species, and then adopting measures to control or eliminate them.
Emily Conger displays a stalk of garlic mustard at a refreshment table set for volunteers near a patch of garlic mustard.

History of wildlife

​This is a new initiative which we are investigating. If adopted, it will document historical and traditional knowledge of wildlife within the Frontenac Arch. The study would provide the historical information we need to understand ecosystem change and to identify conditions for ecosystem restoration
Historically, wildlife used the Thousand Islands as stepping stones to cross the St. Lawrence River north and south. This area is the gateway to the continental corridor that extends from Georgia to the Boreal Forest. Currently the Gateway is blocked by Ontario's Highway 401