#stewardship — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #stewardship, aggregated by home.social.
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#OntarioGreenbelt is a Refuge for Species at Risk
#Toronto, May 22, 2026 – "On World #Biodiversity Day, a new report published by #OntarioNature demonstrates the critical role that the Greenbelt plays as a safe haven for some of Ontario’s most vulnerable species.
"The report – Species at Risk in the Greenbelt: Successes, Challenges and Opportunities – shows that since 2004, the number of species at risk living in the Greenbelt has increased by 68%, rising from 72 to 121 species. That growth far outpaces provincial trends, confirming the Greenbelt’s critical importance for biodiversity in southern Ontario.
"The 121 at-risk species that inhabit the Greenbelt represent 42% of the total species at risk in Ontario – including rare birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals and plants. Some, like the hooded warbler, are showing signs of recovery thanks to protected habitats and coordinated conservation efforts. Others, like redside dace and Jefferson salamander, are struggling as habitat fragmentation and pollution harm breeding and feeding grounds. The habitats the Greenbelt provides for the hooded warbler, redside dace, Jefferson salamander and many other species not only sustain this diversity of life but play an essential role in human health by ensuring the flow of clean water, filtering the air and providing a natural buffer against flooding.
" 'The Greenbelt shows us what’s possible when nature is given space to breathe,' said Ontario Nature’s Acting Conservation Science and #Stewardship Director, Jenna Quinn. 'But we can’t expect it to do all the work on its own. Species at risk need action to ensure their recovery.'
"According to Ontario Nature’s Conservation Policy and Campaigns Director, Tony Morris: 'The #Greenbelt isn’t just a buffer against #UrbanSprawl, it’s a refuge for a diversity of life. Greenbelt #forests, #wetlands and #rivers are vital strongholds for many species that have lost habitats elsewhere in southern Ontario.'
"The Greenbelt is a cherished public policy that celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2025. On this #WorldBiodiversityDay, we reflect on the importance of the variety of life on Earth and encourage actions to protect it. The Greenbelt’s role in protecting habitats and vulnerable species is more important than ever. Collectively, we must do everything we can to protect, strengthen and expand the Greenbelt to keep Ontario self-reliant, secure and ready to meet future challenges."
Learn more:
https://ontarionature.org/news-release/greenbelt-is-a-refuge-for-species-at-risk/#SolarPunkSunday #WildlifeCorridors
#PreserveTheForest #ReconnectNature #Canada #Biodiversity #ProtectNature #Interconnectedness #NatureCorridors #EndangeredSpecies #HabitRestoration -
Reconnecting the Wild #Midwest
Explore how #TNC is rebuilding connections between habitats to help #MidwestWildlife—and people—thrive in a changing climate
Published March 02, 2026
"Wildlife needs room to roam, and the Midwest is full of amazing habitats—such as forests, prairies, wetlands and rivers—that aren’t connected, leaving wildlife stuck and struggling. That's why TNC is linking forests, prairies, wetlands and rivers across the Midwest so wildlife can move, adapt and thrive.
"What Is a Wildlife Corridor? Why Are They Important?
"#Habitat Crridors can be interconnected land-based environments, such as #forests and #prairies, as well as #rivers and other freshwater passages that allow aquatic species to move freely. These healthy, #biodiverse areas are beneficial for people too, as they can help reduce flood risk to communities and provide more recreational opportunities in nature.
"However, the Midwest region is highly fragmented. #Habitats are subdivided across different landowners, and many are highly degraded.
"To address this, TNC serves as our own type of corridor, coordinating protection and #stewardship efforts across properties owned by many different partners. Through these collaborations, we help secure funding to connect science with #conservation on the ground and in the water.
"Our work includes large-scale #HabitatRestoration projects that create and improve pathways, like our #CoastalRepair efforts in #SanduskyBay, #DamRemoval efforts in Southern #Indiana and our prescribed fire work in Southern #Illinois."
Learn more:
https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/priority-landscapes/midwest/stories-in-the-midwest/wildlife-corridors/#SolarPunkSunday #ConnectedHabitats
#Wildlife #WildlifeHighways #WildlifeCorridors #MidwesternUS #TheNatureConservancy #Biodiversity #WildlifeConservation -
Reconnecting the Wild #Midwest
Explore how #TNC is rebuilding connections between habitats to help #MidwestWildlife—and people—thrive in a changing climate
Published March 02, 2026
"Wildlife needs room to roam, and the Midwest is full of amazing habitats—such as forests, prairies, wetlands and rivers—that aren’t connected, leaving wildlife stuck and struggling. That's why TNC is linking forests, prairies, wetlands and rivers across the Midwest so wildlife can move, adapt and thrive.
"What Is a Wildlife Corridor? Why Are They Important?
"#Habitat Crridors can be interconnected land-based environments, such as #forests and #prairies, as well as #rivers and other freshwater passages that allow aquatic species to move freely. These healthy, #biodiverse areas are beneficial for people too, as they can help reduce flood risk to communities and provide more recreational opportunities in nature.
"However, the Midwest region is highly fragmented. #Habitats are subdivided across different landowners, and many are highly degraded.
"To address this, TNC serves as our own type of corridor, coordinating protection and #stewardship efforts across properties owned by many different partners. Through these collaborations, we help secure funding to connect science with #conservation on the ground and in the water.
"Our work includes large-scale #HabitatRestoration projects that create and improve pathways, like our #CoastalRepair efforts in #SanduskyBay, #DamRemoval efforts in Southern #Indiana and our prescribed fire work in Southern #Illinois."
Learn more:
https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/priority-landscapes/midwest/stories-in-the-midwest/wildlife-corridors/#SolarPunkSunday #ConnectedHabitats
#Wildlife #WildlifeHighways #WildlifeCorridors #MidwesternUS #TheNatureConservancy #Biodiversity #WildlifeConservation -
Reconnecting the Wild #Midwest
Explore how #TNC is rebuilding connections between habitats to help #MidwestWildlife—and people—thrive in a changing climate
Published March 02, 2026
"Wildlife needs room to roam, and the Midwest is full of amazing habitats—such as forests, prairies, wetlands and rivers—that aren’t connected, leaving wildlife stuck and struggling. That's why TNC is linking forests, prairies, wetlands and rivers across the Midwest so wildlife can move, adapt and thrive.
"What Is a Wildlife Corridor? Why Are They Important?
"#Habitat Crridors can be interconnected land-based environments, such as #forests and #prairies, as well as #rivers and other freshwater passages that allow aquatic species to move freely. These healthy, #biodiverse areas are beneficial for people too, as they can help reduce flood risk to communities and provide more recreational opportunities in nature.
"However, the Midwest region is highly fragmented. #Habitats are subdivided across different landowners, and many are highly degraded.
"To address this, TNC serves as our own type of corridor, coordinating protection and #stewardship efforts across properties owned by many different partners. Through these collaborations, we help secure funding to connect science with #conservation on the ground and in the water.
"Our work includes large-scale #HabitatRestoration projects that create and improve pathways, like our #CoastalRepair efforts in #SanduskyBay, #DamRemoval efforts in Southern #Indiana and our prescribed fire work in Southern #Illinois."
Learn more:
https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/priority-landscapes/midwest/stories-in-the-midwest/wildlife-corridors/#SolarPunkSunday #ConnectedHabitats
#Wildlife #WildlifeHighways #WildlifeCorridors #MidwesternUS #TheNatureConservancy #Biodiversity #WildlifeConservation -
Reconnecting the Wild #Midwest
Explore how #TNC is rebuilding connections between habitats to help #MidwestWildlife—and people—thrive in a changing climate
Published March 02, 2026
"Wildlife needs room to roam, and the Midwest is full of amazing habitats—such as forests, prairies, wetlands and rivers—that aren’t connected, leaving wildlife stuck and struggling. That's why TNC is linking forests, prairies, wetlands and rivers across the Midwest so wildlife can move, adapt and thrive.
"What Is a Wildlife Corridor? Why Are They Important?
"#Habitat Crridors can be interconnected land-based environments, such as #forests and #prairies, as well as #rivers and other freshwater passages that allow aquatic species to move freely. These healthy, #biodiverse areas are beneficial for people too, as they can help reduce flood risk to communities and provide more recreational opportunities in nature.
"However, the Midwest region is highly fragmented. #Habitats are subdivided across different landowners, and many are highly degraded.
"To address this, TNC serves as our own type of corridor, coordinating protection and #stewardship efforts across properties owned by many different partners. Through these collaborations, we help secure funding to connect science with #conservation on the ground and in the water.
"Our work includes large-scale #HabitatRestoration projects that create and improve pathways, like our #CoastalRepair efforts in #SanduskyBay, #DamRemoval efforts in Southern #Indiana and our prescribed fire work in Southern #Illinois."
Learn more:
https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/priority-landscapes/midwest/stories-in-the-midwest/wildlife-corridors/#SolarPunkSunday #ConnectedHabitats
#Wildlife #WildlifeHighways #WildlifeCorridors #MidwesternUS #TheNatureConservancy #Biodiversity #WildlifeConservation -
Reconnecting the Wild #Midwest
Explore how #TNC is rebuilding connections between habitats to help #MidwestWildlife—and people—thrive in a changing climate
Published March 02, 2026
"Wildlife needs room to roam, and the Midwest is full of amazing habitats—such as forests, prairies, wetlands and rivers—that aren’t connected, leaving wildlife stuck and struggling. That's why TNC is linking forests, prairies, wetlands and rivers across the Midwest so wildlife can move, adapt and thrive.
"What Is a Wildlife Corridor? Why Are They Important?
"#Habitat Crridors can be interconnected land-based environments, such as #forests and #prairies, as well as #rivers and other freshwater passages that allow aquatic species to move freely. These healthy, #biodiverse areas are beneficial for people too, as they can help reduce flood risk to communities and provide more recreational opportunities in nature.
"However, the Midwest region is highly fragmented. #Habitats are subdivided across different landowners, and many are highly degraded.
"To address this, TNC serves as our own type of corridor, coordinating protection and #stewardship efforts across properties owned by many different partners. Through these collaborations, we help secure funding to connect science with #conservation on the ground and in the water.
"Our work includes large-scale #HabitatRestoration projects that create and improve pathways, like our #CoastalRepair efforts in #SanduskyBay, #DamRemoval efforts in Southern #Indiana and our prescribed fire work in Southern #Illinois."
Learn more:
https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/priority-landscapes/midwest/stories-in-the-midwest/wildlife-corridors/#SolarPunkSunday #ConnectedHabitats
#Wildlife #WildlifeHighways #WildlifeCorridors #MidwesternUS #TheNatureConservancy #Biodiversity #WildlifeConservation -
If Acts Happened Today, Would We Call It Communism?
For many, "communism" has become less a political philosophy and more a conversation stopper. But is every effort to use our shared resources to care for the poor, the sick, and the vulnerable really communism? This article examines the difference between political labels and biblical principles, comparing the teachings of the early Church with today's political rhetoric. -
I found this via @supersquirrel !
#IndigenousLands are crucial for #ClimateMitigation and #resilience.
Research shows their health is a direct result of #IndigenousStewardship.
"As the impacts of #ClimateChange continue to escalate, a growing number of climate scientists and policymakers cite Indigenous lands as a model for their rich #biodiversity and effective carbon storage. But that recognition has not always translated into space for Indigenous leaders in climate negotiations, access to #ClimateResilience funding, or enforcement of #HumanRights standards.
"That has been the case for decades. But the problems do not stop there. New research shows that approach overlooks the key role that Indigenous knowledge and culture can play in mitigating climate change. It also reveals a dangerous misconception that has taken hold in global climate discussions: the idea that Indigenous lands are so rich because they are remote or sparsely populated.
"Nothing could be further from the truth. The health of Indigenous lands and their ability to store vast quantities of carbon stem from the stewardship of the people who inhabit them.
"That’s the finding of research from Conservation International, which shows that traditional knowledge, community protocol, and Indigenous culture play a direct role in protecting forests, wildlife, and the environment. Sushma Shrestha, who is #Indigenous #Newar from #Nepal and the study’s lead author, said the research comes at a critical time.
" 'All of humanity relies on everything that #IndigenousPeoples have to contribute and offer in terms of their lands, in terms of carbon storage, in terms of biodiversity conservation,' she said.
"The study, released as a narrative report and a peer-reviewed study, explores how #IndigenousKnowledge and practices benefit the planet. It also found that all 43 of the surveyed communities are experiencing drought, extreme weather, and other adverse impacts from climate change. More than half are affected by #ExtractiveIndustries like #mining and #logging.
"Researchers interviewed 49 Indigenous leaders from six continents about how they steward their land, which ranged from the Amazon rainforest to East African savannas and Pacific Islands. They found that traditional management practices like avoiding #overfishing, maintaining sacred spaces, watching for fires and other threats, and direct resistance against extraction contribute to the remarkable health of Indigenous territory. Ninety-six percent of respondents said they had land set aside for special uses, like spiritual practices, that also benefit the environment by protecting those spaces and ecosystems. Shrestha stressed that although each Indigenous community is distinct, there are shared lessons the entire world can learn from.
" 'It’s a time where all hands need to be on deck,' Shrestha said. 'And collectively, actions need to be taken, and indigenous peoples have been doing this on their own for a very long time.'
"The study builds on years of research that shows, among other things, that the world’s healthiest forests are on Indigenous lands and conservation efforts are more effective when they incorporate Indigenous autonomy and decision-making at every step."
Read more [includes some really good links to articles]:
https://sopuli.xyz/post/47753605#SolarPunkSunday #SolarPunk #LandBack #CommunityMonitoring #Stewardship #TEK #IndigenousSolarPunk #TraditionalEcologicalKnowledge
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Study finds #landback returns of #IndigenousLands happening across country, can lead public planning
By Lindsey Gloede
Jun 17, 2026“People, individuals, families, churches, city, county and state governments, nonprofits are all engaged in returning land to Native tribes with centuries and millennia of being connected to that land. It’s centering 500 years of Native efforts to reclaim the land. It’s a story of healing and #restoration."
#SolarPunkSunday #LandIsLife #LandRestoration #LandConservation #LandPreservation #TraditionalUses #Stewardship #IndigenousStewardship #CulturalPreservation #TraditionalStewards
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#BreakingNews! 🚨 #LandBack in #Maine!
Land returned to #MikmaqNation will double tribe’s territory
Nearly 3,400 acres have been returned to the Aroostook County-based tribe.
by Reuben M. Schafir, June 22, 2026
"The #Mikmaq Nation is expanding. The tribe on Friday obtained title to #MesgilgMaqamigew, a nearly 3,400-acre parcel near #BridgewaterME. The land return is so large it will more than double the tribe’s holdings.
" 'For decades the Mi’kmaq citizens have seen their traditional hunting and gathering grounds disappear to development or private ownership not allowing access,' Chief #SheilaMcCormack said in a news release. 'This property will give our people a place for outdoor recreation, a place to teach our children how to hunt and fish, and a place we can pass down the traditions of our ancestors before they are forgotten.'
"Of the four #Wabanaki tribes, the Mi’kmaq Nation received federal recognition last, in 1991. It and the #HoultonBand of #Maliseet Indians hold far less land in Maine than the #PassamaquoddyTribe and #PenobscotNation, which each have more than 150,000 acres.
"#TheConservationFund negotiated a below-market value sale and purchased the parcel last year from #forestry company #HCHayne, then held it on behalf of the tribe. The organization worked with an alliance of tribes known as the Wabanaki Commission on Land and Stewardship, and #FirstLight, a group of non-native, land-based organizations, to secure $1.9 million for project." 'Indigenous land return projects are a cornerstone of our conservation efforts,' Tom Duffus, Northeast representative for The Conservation Fund, said in a statement. 'I’m thrilled that this special place is once again managed by the Mi’kmaq Nation, whose citizens have stewarded this landscape since time immemorial.'
"Mesgilg Maqamigew means 'big land,' a name chosen in recognition of the significance to the tribe of a parcel so large, contiguous and lush with resources.
"The property contains #forests, #wetlands and more than three miles of #NorthWhitneyBrook, a stream with a thriving #BrookTrout population, according to Mi’kmaq Environmental Health Director Shannon Hill.
"The tribe has already located #fiddleheads there, and Hill said they plan to use the land for #hunting, #fishing, gathering and timber. Snowmobile and ATV trails are available for public use.
"#RichardSilliboy, a basket maker and former Mi’kmaq vice chief who sits on the commission, is hopeful the parcel has #BrownAsh for weaving — but expects, at least, 'some decent fishing.'
"#MesgilgMaqamigew is the sixth to be completed in a series of projects spearheaded by the commission that are collectively known as the tributary land returns. The tributary returns comprise 52,000 acres in 11 discrete projects involving all five tribal governments in Maine at an estimated cost of $52 million."
Read more:
https://www.pressherald.com/2026/06/22/land-returned-to-mikmaq-nation-will-double-tribes-territory/Archived version:
https://archive.md/Bkbl0#WabanakiAlliance #Dawnland #ProtectTheSacred #ProtectTheForest #LandConservation #NativeAmericanNews #IndigenousNews #MaineSettlementAct #NativeAmericans #Indigenous #WaterIsLife #LandIsLife #LandStewardship #Stewardship #SolarPunkSunday
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#SwanLakeNatureSanctuary - the #NatureHouse. This is where I worked out of in my late 20s, as a nature interpreter/educator for public school field trips for a few months. I taught out of the nature house, an outdoor gazebo & on the central dock at the nature sanctuary.
There's been several upgrades to the nature house & to the nature sanctuary, since the early 2000s.https://www.swanlake.bc.ca/the-nature-house-2
#Saanich #VictoriaBC #NatureEducation #LearnAboutNature #Naturalists #architecture #CommunityEducation #nonprofit #NatureConservation #stewardship #ProtectNature #VancouverIsland #VanIsle #VisitAndLearn
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A small, relatively unknown, Saanich community park. I discovered it over a decade ago. Jada found it about 2 years ago. She was surprised that I'm very familiar with this park because no one else she knows has been there before. We both love it because we see no other humans while visiting & exploring trails. I was telling her that you can find native sundew plants by lakeside & it's a good place to harvest fiddleheads & look for mushrooms. Told her about the beaver history of this tiny lake/wetlands spot too. The older huge beaver lodge was decimated a few years ago, due to human impact/road construction near their wood harvesting areas. The beavers weren't seen for awhile after that. They returned sometime over past 2 years & built a new beaver lodge - it's currently about 1/3 size of the previous lodge. No photos of it because we didn't go close to lakeside on our hike. Neither of us were into getting super muddy yesterday.
This park space features:
- multiple hiking trails from relatively easy to moderate levels
- diversity of native plants/wildflowers
- native amphibians are present; many frogs & turtles live there
- healthy biodiversity of insects & invertebrates
- birds diversity
- beavers habitat
- trees diversity
- wetlands & marshes
- fish bearing habitat
- mix of sunny & shady rest spots; no benches or tables but some larger, open spaces that are good for resting at
- community stewardshipSuper limited parking space. Only room for 2 cars on side of road, by the small park sign. Very easy to miss the sign if you're not paying close attention.
#nature #hiking #Saanich #CommunityPark #forest #trail #footpath #wetlands #ferns #ecosystems #VictoriaBC #VancouverIsland #Wsanec #VanIsle #PacificNorthwest #ForestWalks #Cascadia #PNW #lake #ecological #stewardship #conservation #biodiversity #environment #TakeAHike #GetOutside #DisabledHiker #DisabledPhotographers #NaturalWorlds #SacredNature #WorldInMyEyes #photography #NatureLovers
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Why this tribe is buying up hundreds of acres of farmland — and flooding it
A new levee built by the #StillaguamishTribe separates farmland from newly restored #wetlands
by John Ryan, May 3, 2026
"Tribal officials say their habitat projects will help people as well as #salmon the next time floodwaters rise.
"With restored #floodplains, more of the #StillaguamishRiver's destructive surges can spread out and dissipate before causing harm.
"The Stillaguamish Tribe built a new levee last year, farther back from the river, before removing the old levee.
" 'By giving the river more space, we are reducing the damage and the expense to society to maintain infrastructure. It's cheaper to maintain if you stay further away,' Griffith says."
Read more:
https://www.npr.org/2026/05/03/nx-s1-5806062/washington-tribe-restore-wetlands-fish#SolarPunkSunday #WetlandRestoration #Stewardship #NativeAmericans #Rewilding #RestoringNature #MarshRestoration #AdapatingToClimateChange #RestoringHabitat #WildlifeHabitat #WetlandRestoration #WashingtonState
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#OgunquitME - #Stewardship #Workday: #BeachPlumFarm
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
9:00 am
Beach Plum Farm
610 Main St, Ogunquit, ME 03907"Beach Plum Farm is the last remaining #SaltWaterFarm in Ogunquit, home to #CommunityGardens, and the office of Great Works Regional #LandTrust.
Join #GWRLT for a Stewardship Workday on Wednesday, May 6th, 9am to noon at Beach Plum Farm, Ogunquit. We will be removing invasive species and a spring cleanup. Let us know if you can help out by registering below."
FMI and to register:
https://gwrlt.org/event/stewardship-2/#SolarPunkSunday #MaineEvents #InvasivePlants #SpringCleanup #EnvironmentalStewardship #LandTrusts #GreatWorksRegionalLandTrust
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#Gooseberry & #blueberry plants.
#WellandCommunityOrchard #nonprofit #CommunityOrchard #OrchardPark #Stewardship #FoodSecurity #FoodSystems #ViewRoyal #YYJ #Saanich #VictoriaBC #VancouverIsland #PhotoDocumentation #GrowFruit #BerryPlants #FoodEquity #CultivatingCommunities #nature #FoodPlants #LifecyclesProjectSociety #Spring #photography #blossoms #Bloomscrolling
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#WellandCommunityOrchard #nonprofit #CommunityOrchard #OrchardPark #Stewardship #FoodSecurity #FoodSystems #ViewRoyal #YYJ #Saanich #VictoriaBC #VancouverIsland #PhotoDocumentation #GrowFruit #FruitTrees #FoodEquity #CultivatingCommunities #nature #QuinceTree #LifecyclesProjectSociety #Spring #photography #blossoms #Bloomscrolling #quince
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A Pagan Case Against Lawns: Rethinking the Tyranny of Turf
What if your lawn isn’t just grass—but a quieting of the land itself? This Pagan reflection explores how modern yards prioritize control over connection, and how even small changes can restore a living relationship with the world just outside your door. -
Heads up! April 4th 👉 #VictoriaBC & area folks! Fun #Spring #MigratoryBirds #birding event!
Come out & enjoy a lovely outdoors community connecting with nature event!
I'm going to be there with my Indigenous friend, Jada.Migratory Magnificence : #Camas Meadow Medley.
Join #SNEMITIYE Dominque James & #SpecialBirdService for a springtime Camas Meadow Medley at #CattlePoint and #UplandsPark.
Early April marks one of the most vibrant seasonal shifts on southern Vancouver Island. Camas meadows begin to wake, early wildflowers emerge, and the sharp metallic buzz of Rufous Hummingbirds returns to the landscape.
These small but fierce migrants travel thousands of kilometres each year, arriving along the coast just as nectar sources begin to bloom. Their presence signals the true beginning of spring.
Together we will explore the Garry oak ecosystem and coastal meadows of Uplands Park, learning how to notice hummingbird behaviour, listen for territorial calls, and observe feeding patterns among early blossoms.
This is not a fast-paced checklist focused walk. It’s an opportunity to slow down and tune into the rhythms of spring migration.
Open to all who agree to abide by the Cormorant's Creed. No birding experience required.
https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/migratory-magnificence
Friends of the Feather Ticket:
Free ticket to walk and waddle with us. You belong. Aimed at providing BIPOC &, or Queer folks, facing multiple barriers to outdoor education, recreation and stewardship, opportunities. You belong.Contributing Cormorant
$15
To help us sustain the work and offerings for our communities, we ask our first time walk attendies, allies and supporters to contribute. Supports SBS’s year-round programming rooted in joy, access, and learning. Open to all who can contribute. Thank you.#NatureWalk #Birdwatching #BirdLovers #OakBay #Saanich #VancouverIsland #VanIsle #PacificNorthwest #Cascadia #PNW #CommunityEvent #NatureLovers #GarryOak #ecosystem #ecological #Meadows #Inclusive #BIPOCFriendly #Conservation #Stewardship #Wildlife #Avian #biodiversity
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#Quince #FruitTree blossom buds.
#WellandCommunityOrchard #nonprofit #CommunityOrchard #OrchardPark #Stewardship #FoodSecurity #FoodSystems #ViewRoyal #YYJ #Saanich #VictoriaBC #VancouverIsland #PhotoDocumentation #GrowFruit #FruitTrees #FoodEquity #CultivatingCommunities #nature #LifecyclesProjectSociety #Spring #photography
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Please consider becoming a member!
The #CoastalISC is a #nonprofit organization composed of local citizens, representatives from First Nations, governments, utilities, natural resource industries, academia and conservation groups, and others who share a common concern about the impacts of invasive alien plants in #CoastalBC. The Coastal ISC serves the geographic area of #VancouverIsland, the #GulfIslands, and the #SunshineCoast.
https://www.coastalisc.com/become-a-member
#Naturalists #NatureGuardians #BCInvasivePlants #conservation #stewardship #Environmentalists #EarthFirst #ProtectNativeSpecies #BritishColumbia #Canadian #Cascadia #PacificNorthwest #PNW
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This is potentially a game-changer when it comes to dealing with #Knotweed (which just laughs at #Glyphosate)!
#MeshTech: A New Strategy for Managing Knotweed
February 24, 2026
"Knotweed (#Reynoutria spp.) is a severely invasive plant originating from Eastern Asia. Introduced to the East Coast in the late 1800s as an ornamental, knotweed has since become ubiquitous across North America, reaching over 40 US states and 8 Canadian provinces. Knotweed has proven extremely detrimental to a wide variety of ecosystems in which it has established. Forming tall, dense thickets, knotweed shades out native plants, preventing them from growing. Additionally, knotweed is #allelopathic, meaning it releases organic compounds into the soil that inhibits the growth of native plant species.
Knotweed also increases erosion along streams and riverbanks. By shading out native groundcover species and reducing the diverse root reinforcement provided by native species in riparian zones, riverbanks lose considerably more soil when infested with stands of knotweed (Hammer 2019, Matte et al. 2021). This erosion can increase turbidity of waterways, potentially affecting fish and other aquatic species (Henley et al. 2000). The reduction of native plants in riparian zones paired with winter dieback of knotweed stems also leaves riverbanks extremely vulnerable to winter and early spring flooding. This degradation of the riparian area creates a feedback loop in which floods carry knotweed propagules downstream, where they can colonize and increase erosion in new areas (Colleran et al. 2020).
Historically, management of knotweed has been extremely time-and-resource intensive. Large populations require years of consistent treatment, often combining mechanical and chemical approaches to be effective. This commitment to diligent, multi-year mechanical treatment can be discouraging and can lead many to abandon treatment plans before completion. However, a new knotweed management technique could reduce labor inputs.
Developed by Dr. Eric Donnelly, the MeshTech management technique has produced promising results at managing the growth and spread of knotweed while dramatically reducing labor inputs. This method involves cutting knotweed stems down to the soil level and laying -inch galvanized steel hardware fencing over the cut stems. When knotweed resprouts, it grows through the openings in the fencing. As stems mature and thicken, the metal fencing will begin to cut into the stems.
The knotweed will continue to grow through the fencing, effectively girdling itself at its base. This method aims to impact knotweed's nutrient pathways while also damaging the structural integrity of the plant. Alone, this method cannot eradicate knotweed populations. However, the MeshTech method can potentially reduce the health and vigor of knotweed, thus reducing the amount of cutting required in a growing season and the rate of spread in an area.
At the #PleasantHillPreserve in #ScarboroughME, the #ScarboroughLandTrust (#SLT) has begun implementing the MeshTech method to manage a portion of their knotweed infestation. An effort led by SLTs #Stewardship Director Sami Wolf and Nathan Hjort, owner of Absolutely Complete Property Services, initial results indicate that the hardware fencing is proving successful. The knotweed forced to grow through the hardware fencing at Pleasant Hill Preserve showed clear signs of strain. Stems demonstrated significantly stunted growth and had even begun flowering early, an indication that a plant is under stress. While knotweed struggled to grow through the -inch holes, #NativeFlora had begun to sprout up through the hardware fencing. Other knotweed management practices, such as #tarping or mowing, often discourage the growth of native species in a management area. Over time, the presence of native flora could provide an extra level of #BioticResistance that could help slow the growth of knotweed and help kickstart #NativeRevegetation efforts. Eventually, supplemental plantings of native woody species can take place by cutting openings in the fence to allow for these larger species to grow. The fence can also be easily staked down, preventing knotweed or moving water from moving it out of place.
It is important to note that knotweed is a resilient plant and there is no single management action alone that will completely eliminate a population. The most effective knotweed management strategies use creative combinations of multiple approaches. Knotweed is a rhizomatous species, meaning it has an extensive, underground nutrient storage system made up of horizontal rhizomes that store nutrients. Draining this underground nutrient storage is the key to effectively managing an infestation. Consistent cutting of knotweed forces the plant to exhaust its below ground resources. By combining a cutting regimen with the MeshTech method, land managers could potentially see a significant reduction in their management timeline.
The effectiveness of this method provides promising implications for the future of knotweed management in Maine. Paired with consistent management, the MeshTech method could provide Maine with another tool to mitigate the spread of knotweed and reduce our reliance on chemical treatments."
Source:
https://www.maine.gov/dacf/about/news/news.shtml?id=13343931#SolarPunkSunday #NaturalSolutions #NoHerbicides #HerbicideAlternatives #JapaneseKnotweed #LandTrusts #Rewilding #NativePlantSpecies #RestoringNativePlantSpecies #InvasiveSpecies #InvasiveSpeciesWeek
#MaineDepartmentOfAgricultureConservationAndForestry -
#MDACF - #InvasiveInsects on the Horizon: #BoxTreeMoth and #SpottedLanternfly
February 25, 2026
"Two invasive insects are spreading in the United States. Neither is known to be established in Maine, although both are closing in around our borders. Please be aware of these insects and report any suspicious sightings to help our efforts to manage them.
Box Tree Moth
If you have #boxwood plantings, keep your eyes out for box tree moth. This invasive pest was first discovered in #NewYork in 2021 and has subsequently spread to at least 10 other states despite state and federal quarantines. It has also been confirmed in #NewBrunswick, Canada near the Maine border.
Boxwoods infested with box tree moth are characterized by leaf defoliation, the presence of silken threads, and girdling of twigs. A heavy infestation will lead to plant mortality.
Although adult moths are strong fliers, box tree moth mostly moves to new areas as eggs and overwintering caterpillars on boxwood plants. These life stages are easy to miss, so it's important to check your boxwoods carefully for signs of this new invasive insect. If you suspect you have box tree moth, immediately contact [email protected].
Spotted LanternflyThe spotted lanternfly (SLF) is a large planthopper that has been spreading around the eastern half of the United States since 2016, where it is now in 18 states. It is still not known to be established in Maine, although we periodically receive reports of adult lanternflies, generally observed at rest areas and in warehouses.
Originally from Asia, the spotted lanternfly "hitchhiked" to Pennsylvania as egg masses on stone tile imports. When the eggs hatched in the spring, the little planthopper nymphs found their way to some preferred host plants, like tree-of-heaven, maple, and grape. Planthoppers have straw-like mouthparts (stylets) that they insert into plants to suck out the juices. This type of feeding can severely weaken the plant and sometimes spread diseases. The spotted lanternfly sticks its stylet into the stem and bark of plants, extracting the sap and exuding honeydew," a sticky liquid that rains down on surfaces, promoting the growth of sooty mold.
The spotted lanternfly has caused plant mortality in states where its firmly established. Please familiarize yourself with the different life stages of this bug and report any sightings. Please send photos or collect the specimen and email us: [email protected]."
Source:
https://www.maine.gov/dacf/about/news/news.shtml?id=13343929
Box Tree Moth
(Cydalima perspectalis)Exotic Insect Pest Fact Sheet (via #CornellUniversity)
https://cals.cornell.edu/integrated-pest-management/outreach-education/fact-sheets/box-tree-moth
#SolarPunkSunday #SaveTheTrees #Forestry #Stewardship #CitizenScience #InvasiveSpecies #InvasiveSpeciesWeek
#MaineDepartmentOfAgricultureConservationAndForestry -
#Maine - #EmeraldAshBorer - Watch for #Woodpecker Activity
#MDACF - February 26, 2026
"Emerald ash borer (#AgrilusPlanipennis) has been detected in new towns in Maine. Watch for woodpecker activity and report trees that have signs of emerald ash borer.
Emerald ash borer (EAB) is an invasive wood-boring beetle that attacks and kills native ash trees (Fraxinus spp.), resulting in significant cultural, ecological, and economic impacts.
In winter, woodpeckers knock off tree bark in search for food (including EAB larvae), which may help us identify trees with EAB from a distance:
- Light patches of missing bark on stems of ash trees
- Dark chips of ash bark littering the snow
- "S" shaped tunnels underneath the ash barkCheck for these signs while on a snowshoe track, swooshing down slopes, or even sitting down for a meal at your local Chinese restaurant (it happened!). We are actively monitoring for EAB statewide and could use your help checking ash trees.
Stay Informed
Although EAB has caused destruction of ash ecosystems across North America, including here in Maine, there is hope for these trees. In our area, groups like Ash Protection Collaboration Across #Wabanakik (#APCAW) and Sustaining Ash Partners Network (#SAPNe) are building collaborative efforts towards keeping ash in our forests. Join SAP-Ne to learn how to preserve and propagate ash seed and about efforts towards maintaining the genetic diversity of ash in our region."
Learn more:
https://www.maine.gov/dacf/about/news/news.shtml?id=13343928#SolarPunkSunday #SaveTheTrees #Forestry #Stewardship #CitizenScience #InvasiveSpecies #InvasiveSpeciesWeek #NewEngland #ProtectTheSacred
#MaineDepartmentOfAgricultureConservationAndForestry -
Note - #AsianLadyBeetles, another #InvasiveSpecies, actually feeds on Hemlock Woolly Adelgid! A reason to shoo the beetles outside if they are in your house!
#Maine [and #NewEngland] - Help Track a #Hemlock Pest
February 26, 2026
"#HemlockWoollyAdelgid (#HWA) is an #aphid-like invasive insect that feeds on and can kill hemlock trees in Maine. To find HWA, look:
- On hemlock trees. In North America, HWA is found only on hemlock trees.
- On the undersides of hemlock twigs. At this time of year, HWA is covered in white tufts of wax and is easy to see. Look for discrete 'woolly' masses.
At fallen twigs on top of the snow, as this will give you a picture of what is happening high in the crown. Unless you are in an area where HWA is commonly found (such as southern coastal towns), please let us know if you find it.Unless you are in an area where HWA is commonly found (such as southern coastal towns), please let us know if you find it. "
Wikipedia: "Accidentally introduced to North America from Japan, HWA was first found in the eastern United States near Richmond, #Virginia, in 1951. The pest is now found from northern #Georgia to coastal# Maine and southwestern Nova Scotia as well as areas of western #Michigan near the eastern #LakeMichigan shoreline. As of 2015, HWA has affected 90% of the geographic range of #EasternHemlock in North America."
Read more [includes photos for identification]:
https://www.maine.gov/dacf/about/news/news.shtml?id=13343953#SolarPunkSunday #HemlockTrees #SaveTheTrees #Forestry
#Stewardship #InvasiveSpecies
#InvasiveSpeciesWeek #NaturalPestControl
#NewEngland #EasternCanada
#Massachusetts #EasternSeaboard #MaineDepartmentOfAgricultureConservationAndForestry -
#MDACF - #BrowntailMoth in #Maine - Spotlight
February 27, 2026
"BrowntailMoth (Euproctis chrysorrhoea L.) populations decreased in some areas in 2025, but are still elevated in others. Check trees this winter to see whether your community may be impacted by browntail moth this spring. If you find winter webs, take action to make a difference!
Browntail Moth (#BTM) is an invasive insect of forest and human health concern that feeds on #oak, #apple, #cherry, #crabapple, #elm, #birch, #poplar, #shadbush, and #rugosa rose bushes in Maine. BTM caterpillars have irritating hairs that break off their bodies and settle in the environment, causing an #ItchyRash for humans that come in contact with the hairs.
In the winter, look for palm-sized BTM winter webs at the tips of trees to see if you may be dealing with BTM caterpillars in the spring and summer. Actions to take in the winter and spring:
- Scout for and remove winter webs with hand snips or an extendable pole pruner in areas you can safely reach. Destroy webs in a contained fire or soak the webs in a bucket of soapy water for a few days before disposing.
- Find professional help if you can't reach and remove winter webs. Licensed arborists, pesticide applicators, and FAA-certified drone operators may be able to help you remove webs or treat your infested trees to reduce BTM populations.
- Insecticide treatments in mid-April to mid-May may also be effective at reducing populations.In mid-April, BTM caterpillars will emerge from their winter webs and begin feeding on the buds and leaves of their host trees until late June. Actions to take in late spring and summer:
- Learn how to identify the browntail caterpillar and avoid areas where these caterpillars have been.
- Change clothes and shower after working in infested areas to wash away irritating hairs and prevent the rash.
- Keep outdoor lights off in July to dissuade BTM adult moths from flying near your dooryard and laying eggs in nearby trees."Source:
https://www.maine.gov/dacf/about/news/news.shtml?id=13343956#SolarPunkSunday #SaveTheTrees #NaturalPestSolutions #Forestry #Stewardship #InvasiveSpecies #InvasiveSpeciesWeek #Maine #NewEngland #EasternCanada #Massachusetts #MaineDepartmentOfAgricultureConservationAndForestry
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Challenges In Comparing National Forest Statistics - Canada As A Case Study
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📑 https://pubs.cif-ifc.org/doi/abs/10.5558/tfc2026-006 <-- shared paper
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H/T Michael Wulder |Senior Research Scientist at Natural Resources Canada
“Canada is a forest nation. Its forests are spatially extensive, ecologically diverse, and of global importance. While national level forest statistics are used for international reporting and comparison, they often fail to reflect the distinctive structure and stewardship context of Canada’s forest estate, which includes millions of hectares of remote, unmanaged forests alongside actively managed zones governed by provincial and territorial stewardship frameworks...”
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#forest #Canada #national #geostatistics #forestestate #remote #unmanaged #contrast #managed #harvesting #naturalresources #resource #spatialanalysis #spatiotemporal #GIS #spatial #mapping #assessment #value #metrics #stewardship #management #monitoring #statistics #health #foresthealth #science
#NRCAN #NRCANScience #NaturalResourcesCanada -
Stewarding the Digital Commons
Beyond the extractive models of venture capital and the burnout of unsupported altruism lies a third way: stewarding our essential digital infrastructure as a commons. Let's build a sustainable future for open source.https://web.brid.gy/r/https://sein.com.au/articles/stewarding-the-digital-commons/
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Back entrance to #WellandCommunityOrchard from the #GallopingGoose multiuse trail.
Please visit the community orchard that we, at LifeCycles, stewards for the town of View Royal 💗#LifecyclesProjectSociety #CommunityOrchard #FoodSecurity #stewardship #CommunityPark #FruitTrees #ViewRoyal #Saanich #VictoriaBC #YYJ #VancouverIsland #VanIsle
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The Case for Returning U.S. #PublicLands to #IndigenousPeople
by Joe Whittle, Mar 6, 2025
"Since the start of Trump’s second term, his administration has fired thousands of federal workers across multiple public lands agencies, including the National Park Service, the Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The effects of this are vast: It’s going to have a profoundly negative impact on the environment and the way millions of Americans enjoy public lands, cause immeasurable harm to America’s wildest places, and devastate the economies built around them.
"After serving 12 years as a backcountry wilderness ranger for the U.S. Forest Service, I'm convinced there is an alternative: the U.S. needs to return its public lands to Native Americans. In fact, I believe that might be the only way to save our parks and forests from corporate privatization and destruction, as well as preserve public access to them. If the U.S. won’t properly care for its public lands, why not return them to their original caretakers?
"This isn’t a new idea. #NativeAmericans argued that treaty law required
'abandoned' federal land to be returned to tribes during the occupation of #Alcatraz Island by the #AmericanIndianMovement in the 1960s. In more recent years, the #LandbackMovement has given rise to increased calls for the return of territorial land to #IndigenousNations, and the return of land management based in #TraditionalEcologicalKnowledge—expertise gathered from thousands of years of having deep relationships with specific environments. There’s a strong legal argument that land return is constitutionally required as damages due for hundreds of treaty violations. However, there’s also a lot of data showing Indigenous land management is more ecologically sound than government or industrially managed land. For instance, #ProjectDrawdown, a global leader in science-based #ClimateChange solutions, estimates that returning 1,000 million hectares of land to Indigenous tenureship by 2050 would sequester over 12 gigatons of carbon dioxide."Read more:
https://time.com/7262838/us-public-lands-return-indigenous-people/Archived version:
https://archive.ph/QnF32#LandBack #AIM #StolenLand #StolenLands #NationalParks #TEK #ClimateCrisis #ClimateSolutions #IndigenousPeoples #IndigenousPeoplesMonth #GiveItBack #Stewardship #LandIsLife #WaterIsLife #AlcatrazIsland #Resistance #USPol #TrumpSucks #RespectTheTreaties
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This photo was sent to me via text.
It's from my friend, Jeff, whom I originally met off of Mastodon, back in 2022. We met in person in 2023 & exchanged plants🪴We've stayed friends over the years. We are working towards similar community building goals, in separate areas of the island. Ideally, would love to have a full food security, localized food systems 'spine', running West-East/South-North, across #VancouverIsland.
Jeff lives up island with his wife & kids. He also works in #nonprofit #FoodSecurity & #environmental #stewardship. He works for #Greenways #LandTrust in #CampbellRiver :
https://www.greenwaystrust.ca/projects/food-securityThis shows some of the work they've done at Maple Park Community Garden in partnership with #Strathcona Regional District. They acquired that land to steward/grow, earlier this year 💚👩🌾👨🌾👏
#GrowFood #CommunityBuilding #CommunityGarden #CommunityPark #CommunitySpaces #Greenspaces #VanIsle #GrowFoodNotLawns #FoodEquity #Gardens #Nonprofits #ClimateAction #CommunityWork #BritishColumbia #Canada #GrowPlants #Grassroots
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The #VictoriaBC Urban Food Table #UFT is a #volunteer #AdvisoryCommittee dedicated to providing informed support to Victoria City Council in matters related to #FoodSecurity policy & decision making. We meet the second Wednesday of each month. Our members are #FoodSystems & #sustainability professionals and include urban and rural farmers , local businesses, educators, community association and garden representatives, health workers, dietitians & environmental stewardship not-for-profit staff. We view local #FoodProduction as fundamental to a healthy & sustainable food system, and share the common goal of a #FoodSecure region.
Our strategic goals focus on urban farming, community and home gardening, food equity, soil restoration, land and biodiversity stewardship, waste-reduction and composting, pollinator support, First Nations Reconciliation, and celebrating local food.
The Urban Food Table meets in a hybrid/online format on the second Wednesday of every month from 4:30pm - 6pm. If you are interested in joining the UFT, or to learn more - email at [email protected] or through the form below.
https://www.victoriaurbanfoodtable.com/contact-us#YYJ #Nonprofits #CommunityFood #FoodSystemsPlanning #FoodWasteReduction #Environmental #FeedingCommunity #UrbanFoodTable #VancouverIsland #VanIsle #GetInvolved #SoilRemediation #biodiversity #composting #FoodEquity #WaterReduction #ClimateAction #Stewardship #CommunityBuilding #CommunityEducation
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#Wabanaki group restoring 245-acre farm in #SwanvilleME as food hub
#Niweskok, a Wabanaki-led #FoodSovereignty organization, recently bought the farm to aid its work reinvigorating traditional crops and land management.by Gillian Graham, May 8, 2025
"A Wabanaki-led food sovereignty organization recently acquired a 245-acre farm in Swanville, marking the return of Wabanaki stewardship to ancestral lands in the Penobscot Bay region.
"Niweskok: From the #StarsToSeeds, a collaboration of Wabanaki #FoodAndMedicine providers, has focused for years on reinvigorating #TraditionalCrops and #LandManagement strategies, distributing #TraditionalFoods and hosting workshops. But they did not have a permanent land base until buying the farm." 'Now, with this land, we have permanency of place — and the ability to continue this work for generations to come,' said #AliviaMoore, a #PenobscotNation citizen and Niweskok co-director.
"Niweskok (which translates to 'dried seeds for planting' in the Penobscot language) raised more than $1.8 million in just three months to buy the farm, which had been used to raise cattle and board horses. The group continues to raise money toward its $3 million capital campaign goal.
"Acquiring the land in January was a major step toward restoring the #PenobscotBay region as a Wabanaki food hub and allows Indigenous communities to reconnect with #TraditionalFoodways, #medicines and #ecological #stewardship. Niweskok sees the land as an intergenerational center where Wabanaki values of care, reciprocity and sustainability can flourish.
Moore said the land will allow Niweskok to go much deeper in its food production work. The group’s plans for the land include educational programming, #SeedSaving, #WildHarvesting and cultural camps."Moore said the land itself would determine the name of the farm. The farm was selected because it is close to the ocean and Penobscot territory.
'Penobscot people have been, through the process of #colonization and #genocide, thoroughly removed from coastal access,' Moore said. 'So for us to truly have healthful economies, healthful social structures and political systems, we need to be able to engage in our coastal ecology.'"The land, with access to the #GooseRiver, includes agricultural #fields, 140 acres of #forest, #wetlands and ponds. There are miles of riding trails through the woods, which Niweskok staff will map and decide which to maintain and whether more are needed for waterway access.
"Niweskok staff members have been preparing the soil for future planting and harvesting. Moore has been working on a 1-acre welcome garden that includes #perennials, #FruitTrees, #SweetGrass, #blueberries and other plants. Last week, she planted 70 #asparagus seedlings and 35 #rhubarb plants.
"Plans also are underway to spruce up a #farmstand where Niweskok will share #FreeProduce with neighbors.
"Moore has also been focused on working to restore the forests as #FoodForests — a process that will take years — and has started selective cutting to support existing #hazelnut groves and #BlackCherries.
"Niweskok will also create outdoor classrooms for community members to engage with the land, including demonstrations on plantings and #agroforestry techniques.
" 'An outdoor kitchen is one of our high-priority areas because so much of our time and how we want to support our community is being with our foods and outside as much as possible,' Moore said. 'Cooking over open fire is not only a way we want to engage with folks, but an important, culturally significant and really beautiful way to be together.'"Niweskok this month was awarded the #EspyHeritageAward from the #MaineCoastHeritageTrust, an annual award that recognizes those who make outstanding contributions to #LandConservation while inspiring others. It was the first time the award was given to an #Indigenous-led group.
"Angela Twitchell, director of partnerships and public policy for Maine Coast Heritage Trust, said Niweskok’s work to restore the Penobscot Bay region as a Wabanaki food hub is 'an inspiring example of how land conservation is evolving.'
"For decades starting in the 1950s, land conservation was centered on ecological and species protection and protecting lands from people and development. It has since evolved to center its work in community, Twitchell said.
" '(Niweskok’s) work embodies resilience and a deep commitment to healing and nourishing both the land and the community,' she said. 'The collaborative work between #LandTrusts and Niweskok stands as a model to be replicated.'
"Moore said the award acknowledges the leadership of Niweskok, and added that other incredible Wabanaki-led land work is happening in the region. Moore hopes the award indicates that Maine conservation groups will continue to find ways to support Wabanaki leadership in conservation.
"Having the land has been a 'beautiful invitation' for the #NonWabanaki community 'to support Wabanaki food sovereignty and be in support of our leadership in care of the land,' Moore said."Archived version:
https://archive.md/Ii0au#WabanakiConfederacy
#MaineFirstNations #LandBack #FoodSecurity #FoodSovereignty #sovereignty #Wabanakik #WabanakiAlliance #Decolonize #SolarPunkSunday #LandStewards #stewardship #NatureEducation #Foraging #Maine #IndigenousPeoplesDay -
This is a banner season for #figs on the south island 😀
#Fruits #CommunityBuilding #FreeFruit #FreeFood #LifecyclesProject #Grassroots #nonprofit #FoodSecurity #ViewRoyal #Saanich #VictoriaBC #YYJ #VancouverIsland #VanIsle #PacificNorthwest #Cascadia #PNW #stewardship #CommunityPark #CommunityOrchard #orchard #WellandCommunityOrchard
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Some of the many different #fruits & #vegetables that we grow at #WellandCommunityOrchard 😀
#CommunityBuilding #CommunityWork #LifecyclesProject #Grassroots #nonprofit #FoodSecurity #ViewRoyal #Saanich #VictoriaBC #YYJ #VancouverIsland #VanIsle #PacificNorthwest #Cascadia #PNW #stewardship #CommunityPark #apples #plums #peas #tomatoes #CommunityOrchard #orchard #FoodGarden #GrowingFood #FruitTrees #FoodPlants #FeedCommunity #FreeFood #orchard
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Baby #hazelnuts growing. There's a few different hazelnut cultivars that are grown at #WellandCommunityOrchard.
#FoodSecurity #CommunityBuilding #GrowFood #CommunityWork #LifecyclesProject #Grassroots #nonprofit #Food #nuts #ViewRoyal #Saanich #VictoriaBC #YYJ #VancouverIsland #VanIsle #PacificNorthwest #Cascadia #PNW #stewardship #CommunityPark #CommunityOrchard #orchard
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From 2021: Guide to the Growing World of #NatureBasedLearning
“Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach of us more than we can ever learn from books.”
John LubbockExcerpt: "Inspired by the Scandinavian embrace of #OutdoorLearning, the #ForestSchool movement migrated to the UK in the 1990s and has grown strongly ever since. In the US, the first nature-based preschool, the #NewCanaanNatureCenter, opened in 1967 in #Connecticut. The pace of nature-based preschools was gradual until, many say, after the publication of #RichardLouv’s #LastChildInTheWoods in 2005. Soon after, the growth of these schools went wild, experiencing a 25-fold increase over the past decade.
"Around the world, the forest school movement has also been growing strong. Whether you find forest schools in the UK, #BushKindys in #Australia, #waldkindergarten in #Germany or #MoriNoIe in #Japan, forest schools can be found in dozens of countries as parents and caretakers seek out the benefits of nature for their children, particularly for the early childhood years."
https://www.childhoodbynature.com/guide-to-the-growing-world-of-nature-based-learning/
#SolarPunkSunday #Nature #Stewardship #NaturalWorld #LearningThrougNature #TechAddiction #SmartPhoneAddiction #GreenTime #MoreGreenTimeLessScreenTime
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Whether you are a regular park visitor, or have never heard of #WellandCommunityOrchard before, come out and explore with a guided 1 hour #tour of this incredible community resource. Learn about some of the 100 + heritage apple varieties planted in the orchard, as well as some fruit trees you may have never heard of before such as Plout and Medlar! Plus learn about some of the interesting features on site including rainwater collection, pollinator habitat and native plant gardens.
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/welland-orchard-tour-tickets-1133517805269?aff=oddtdtcreator
#GuidedTours of the #CommunityOrchard is by public donation with all funds going back into orchard needs/upkeep/stewardship. We are grassroots nonprofit.
The tour will be followed by a Welland Orchard Work Party from 1pm-3pm. If you plan to attend both, feel free to bring a lunch and enjoy a picnic in the orchard. For more information about the work party or to sign up, please visit the Gleaning Hub at https://gleaning.lifecyclesproject.ca
#CommunityBuilding #CommunityWork #LifecyclesProject #Grassroots #nonprofit #FoodSecurity #ViewRoyal #Saanich #VictoriaBC #YYJ #VancouverIsland #VanIsle #PacificNorthwest #Cascadia #PNW #stewardship #CommunityPark #CommunityOrchard #orchard #educational #FruitTrees
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Come on out & #volunteer for fun #signmaking at #WellandCommunityOrchard with me & others!
There's 2 days for new signs making work to be done. I'll be there on both days 😊Monday, July 21st, 10am-12pm.
Sunday, July 27th, 1pm-3pm.
Join in as we start on a new project of creating some beautiful and engaging #signage in the orchard. Together we will be working on sanding, painting and varnishing wooden signs to label each fruit tree in the orchard! Artistic skills are welcome but not required.You can register for all volunteer shifts on the Gleaning Hub:
https://gleaning.lifecyclesproject.ca/index.phpThe Monday sign making #workparty is followed with an afternoon orchard work party - we need help with pruning fruit trees, weeding & general orchard care duties.
#HelpersWanted #Volunteering #CommunityBuilding #CommunityWork #LifecyclesProject #Grassroots #nonprofit #FoodSecurity #ViewRoyal #Saanich #VictoriaBC #YYJ #VancouverIsland #VanIsle #PacificNorthwest #Cascadia #PNW #stewardship #CommunityPark #CommunityOrchard #orchard #MakeSigns
#Contribute #VolunteersWanted #LendAHand #NoExperienceNeeded #HelpingHands #VolunteersCall -
Returning land to tribes is a step towards justice and #sustainability, say #Wabanaki, #EnvironmentalActivists
by Emily Weyrauch, December 1, 2020
"Last month, the Elliotsville Foundation gave back 735 acres to the #PenobscotNation, a parcel of land that connects two Penobscot-held land plots. While this return of land is a significant milestone in terms of the work of conservation groups in Maine, it also reflects a larger shift in thinking about land ownership, from property and caretaking toward #IndigenousStewardship.
"Before European settlers arrived, the land in Maine was stewarded by the Wabanaki people—a confederacy of five nations including Penobscot, #Passamaquoddy, #Maliseet, #Mikmaq and #Abenaki.
"Early treaties between Indigenous tribes and settlers were signed, but not upheld. Early Maine court cases set the precedent for #LandTheft. The state legally prohibited treaty obligations from being published in its constitution. Ever since the 1980 Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act, the state government has significantly limited tribes’ sovereignty and access to ancestral lands. Now, the Maine legislature is preparing to take up a bill that would make 22 law changes to the 1980 act to promote Wabanaki sovereignty and correct the impacts of the 40-year-old piece of legislation that placed Wabanaki people in a separate category from other federally-recognized tribes.
"Currently, a vast majority—90 percent—of land in Maine is privately owned, unlike in states like Nevada, Utah and Idaho, where the vast majority of land is owned by the U.S. government. Less than one percent of Maine land is owned by #Wabanaki people.
"To many Indigenous people, the legacy of white-led conservation groups in Maine and nationwide represents a failure of true environmental stewardship.
"'Across the country, land conservation groups and land trusts participated in depopulating, cutting off Indigenous access to certain lands and resources,' said Dr. Darren Ranco, associate professor of Anthropology and coordinator of Native American Research at the University of Maine.
"Dr. Ranco said that the history of environmental protection in the U.S. starts in the 19th century and focuses on two movements: conservation and preservation.
" 'On the one hand, you have people saying, ‘You want to use the public lands wisely’ — and that often led to extreme forms of exploitation through oil and gas contracts. The other side of it was, ‘Let’s just keep it wild and preserve it as-is, as a wild space,' " said Dr. Ranco, who is a member of the Penobscot Nation. 'Ironically, both of those approaches in the 19th century sought to displace Indigenous people.'
" 'A lot of the [conservation] practices in the past actually marginalized native people, and didn’t allow for their voice to be heard, and discouraged their voices,' said Suzanne Greenlaw, a #Maliseet forestry scientist and PhD student at the University of Maine.
" 'The native approach is very much in the center—we do harvest, but we harvest in a sustainable way that actually forms a relationship with the resource,” said Greenlaw, who conducts research on the sustainable harvesting of sweetgrass by Indigenous people.
"In fact, the way that Indigenous people understand land is markedly different from western ideas of ownership.
" 'The idea of private property puts us in this framing where the land, the water, and the air, and the animals, and everything else—all our relations—are meant to serve us, they are things below us, things to dominate and control and take ownership over,' said Lokotah Sanborn, a Penobscot activist.
" 'For us, it would be absurd to say ‘I own my grandmother,’ or ‘I own my cousin,’ or ‘I own my brother.’ You don’t talk about things like that. And so when we’re talking about land ownership, it’s that same idea —these are our relations, these are things that hold a lot of significance to us,' said Sanborn.
"While the planet’s Indigenous people make up less than five percent of the global population, they manage 25 percent of its land and support 80 percent of global biodiversity, research shows.
" 'We’ve been led down this path toward climate catastrophe and the extinction of millions of species, all to drive #ExtractiveIndustries,' said Sanborn. 'If we wish to reverse these things, we need to give land back into the hands of Indigenous peoples and to respect our ability to protect those lands,' said Sanborn.
"This growing recognition of Wabanaki #stewardship is part of the mission of First Light, a group that serves to connect Wabanaki people with conservation organizations who seek to expand Wabanaki access to land. Currently, 50 organizations are participating, including #MaineAudubon and #TheNatureConservancy.
"Lucas St. Clair, president of the Elliotsville Foundation, participated in First Light’s year-long educational program before fulfilling a request by #JohnBanks, Natural Resources Director for the Penobscot Nation, to return the 735-acre property to the Penobscot Nation. This comes four years after the foundation gave 87,500 acres of land to the federal government for the establishment of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. St. Clair said the foundation currently holds 35,000 acres of land.
" 'In the grand scheme of things, this is not a lot of land,' said St. Clair, about the foundation’s recent transfer of 735 acres. 'It was more about justice, relationship-building and awareness.'
" 'You see this move toward Indigenous knowledge and practices of management and conservation that have existed for hundreds of years, and this possibility with land conservation groups and Wabanaki people having a more central role in understanding and managing the lands is coming to the fore,' said Dr. Ranco.
"And while organizations undergo the learning and transformational processes that precede giving back land, and as the legislature and courts are taking up questions of Wabanaki sovereignty and stewardship, people are working on the ground everyday to re-imagine relationships with land.
"Alivia Moore, a Penobscot community organizer with the #EasternWoodlands #Rematriation collective, said that a crucial part of the work of expanding Indigenous access to land in Maine is recognizing and restoring the history of matriarchal Indigenous societies.
" 'To restore land to Indigenous #matriarchies is to make sure that everybody has what they need on and from the earth. There’s enough for everyone,' said Moore
"With #EasternWoodlandsRematriation, Indigenous people are growing their connections to #RegenerativeFoodSystems. Whereas cultural use agreements are more formal ways Indigenous people can access resources from the private land of people and organizations, Moore said other relationships can form and strengthen even informally.
"Years ago, a white farmer offered land to Indigenous women to use for farming to restore their connection to the land. That has been an ongoing relationship that became one of mutual exchange of information and resources, shared learning and shared meals, said Moore.
"The movement to give land back to Indigenous stewardship is not confined to a single organization, legal battle, or project. For Indigenous people—and a growing number of environmental organizations—it is a step toward justice and a sustainable future.
"'Land back is not just about righting past wrongs. The point of land back is that it’s the future, if we wish to adequately address and avoid further global devastation from climate change,' said Sanborn."
#LandBack #WabanakiConfederacy #Wabanakik #WabanakiAlliance #MaineFirstNations #Maine #TraditionalEcologicalKnowledge #IndigenousPeoplesDay
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Part of the ongoing #rewilding & #nature #restoration work I do with fellow caring local #environmentalists is planting #EelGrass in areas where we are trying to bump up #ocean #oxygen levels & bring back more #biodiversity in the seas. Eel grass purposeful planting into ocean beds(with divers) & beaches at low tide is an essential part of restoring biodiversity back to human damaged areas in ocean.
#ClimateAction #VancouverIsland #Nature #Stewardship #Wsanec #Saanich #GoodNews #PacificNorthwest #PNW #VanIsle #Ecological #Ecosystems #Marine #OceanScience #naturalists #SalishSea #Aquatic #SeaPlants #botanical #Cascadia #SeaGrass
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The session itself won't be available online, but here's a QR code for our presentation on Google Drive:
#NYC #NewYorkCity #Gardens #Gardening #CommunityGardens #CommunityGardening
#iNaturalist #EcoFlora #NYBG #Stewardship #Weeds #GardenEcology #Ecology #Pollinators #NYCPWG #NYCPollinators #GTGT2023 -
I'll be co-presenting, representing the NYC Pollinator Working Group, with Tohmi Barrett of the NYBG NYC EcoFlora Project in the 3rd session slot this afternoon, 2:45-4:15. We're talking about how community gardens and gardeners can use iNaturalist to help with garden management, education, and stewardship.
#iNaturalist #EcoFlora #NYBG #Stewardship #CommunityGardens #Pollinators #Weeds #GardenEcology #Ecology #Pollinators #NYCPWG #NYCPollinators #GTGT2023