Thirty researchers from across the A2A region met on April 27-29, at the Queen's University Biological Station, to discuss how an A2A strategic plan might support current and future research on the landscape. Attendees came from Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), the Nature Conservancy of Canada, Ontario Nature, Queen's University, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, the U.S. Wildlife Conservation Society, and many others.

Our keynote presenter was Silvia Strobl, from MNR, who talked about the Sustaining What We Value project, a collective effort of communities in South Frontenac, Leeds, Grenville and Lanark Counties, in Ontario, to involve residents in identifying and protecting cultural, social, environmental and economic values.

Other discussion topics included: research priorities and gaps, mapping, organizational challenges, partnership opportunities and future initiatives. It was a productive weekend!

Special thanks to the Queen's University Biological Station for hosting us, all the volunteer facilitators and note-takers, and the researchers who travelled to contribute their knowledge and expertise.

Researchers will receive a copy of the proceedings within the next two months. (We'll also send a summary to A2A members — sign up here if you'd like to receive that information.)

If you have any questions about the Apr. 27-29 workshop proceedings or future workshops, get in touch with workshop chair Bryarly McEachern.

Great news from one of our partners: This spring, the Indian River Lakes Conservancy in the St. Lawrence Valley bought a parcel of wetlands and shorelines around Grass Lake, using a major grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. (The group now owns more than 1,500 acres.)

North Country Public Radio ran a short segment on the news, talking to founder and treasurer Mark Scarlett.
Listen to it (using NCPR's built-in player) to learn more about the Indian River Lakes Conservancy's work, the landscape it protects and its exciting future in the region.

As NCPR reports, the new land parcel could serve as part of a key wildlife corridor between the Adirondacks, in New York, and Algonquin Park, in Ontario.