With this notice all A2A members and partner organization representatives are officially invited to the Algonquin to Adirondacks Collaborative’s 2015 Annual General Meeting on Saturday, March 28th, at the Brockville Museum, 5 Henry St, Brockville, ON (613) 342-4397. Registration will start at 9:30 a.m., program 9:50 a.m – 3:00 p.m. Lunch will be provided.

What’s on tap this year? As a collaborative, A2A is looking for the best ways to involve partners in decision-making and do the work of conservation and connectivity in a way that embodies respect, equity, and empowerment. With a whopping 39 partners, it’s important to get it right!

How do we best to facilitate that discussion? We’ve invited Michelle Kanter, the Executive Director of Carolinian Canada Coalition (CCC) since 2003, to be our keynote speaker this year. The CCC has had a lot of successes working with partners on conservation. Michelle will help us learn what has worked and what hasn’t in advancing a collaborative conservation strategy in the large Carolinian ecoregion of southern Ontario.

Like A2A, the CCC is a registered charity, and like us, ecoregional in nature. Its territory stretches from Toronto to Windsor, encompassing the Carolinian Life Zone of southern Ontario. Also like A2A, the CCC brings together diverse sectors, people, and governments to collaboratively conserve unique habitats and promote green infrastructure.

After Michelle speaks, you will have a chance to ask questions and help hammer out the best structure for the A2A Collaborative to work with partners.

What have A2A partners been up to? Next there will be a chance for partner organization representatives to briefly showcase their projects that further the A2A Vision and Mission. After lunch we will have the A2A Business meeting for members—your chance to participate in choosing new directors for 2015-2016, learn about the accomplishments of A2A over the past year, review the Collaborative’s finances, and set priorities for the next year.

How do I sign-up? Since we will be providing lunch, we ask you to please register in advance by emailing Lilith Wyatt, A2A Coordinator, at coordinator@a2alink.org or phoning 613-659-4824 by March 20th to let her know you will be attending, and please include any dietary restrictions.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Spring is right around the corner, and just in time, here is our spring newsletter! Find out about our AGM on March 28, a pipelines update, the Thousand Islands Land Trust, and a pilgrimage trail from the Adirondacks all the way to Algonquin Park. Check it out now to see our beautiful new design and these great stories!