QUEBEC LABRADOR FOUNDATION INC

In 2020, QLF’s Conservation and Stewardship Initiatives consist of the following programs and projects: 1) The Sounds Conservancy Marine Research Program; 2) Biodiversity Conservation Program with its projects, Aquatic Species At Risk, Habitat Stewardship for Species at Risk, Marine Bird Conservation; and Protected Areas Stewardship; 3) The National Park Service Stewardship Institute with its projects, Stewardship Today, New Parks/New Partnerships, and the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network; 4) Conservation Exchange Programs to include the East Asia Conservation Exchange Program with Conservation Leaders from Mongolia and New England and The Great Flyways, A Middle East Conservation Exchange Program along the Rift Valley/Red Sea Flyways; and 5) The QLF Global Program with its projects to include Stewardship in Latin America, Privately Protected Areas with the International Union for Conservation of Nature, World Heritage Convention, Special Conservation Assignments, Special Edition on PARKS the International Journal of Protected Areas and Conservation.

THE SOUNDS CONSERVANCY MARINE RESEARCH PROGRAM – The Sounds Conservancy is a marine research program along the six Sounds, estuaries, and coastal waters of southern New England and New York. From south to north, the Sounds are Long Island, Fishers Island, Block Island, Rhode Island, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket. The program is dedicated to conserve, protect, and steward the Sounds and its coastal waters, and to support marine research, environmental policy, and environmental education. Each year, QLF awards supplemental research grants to graduate students, Fellows, and practitioners in marine conservation. As well, each year, QLF staff update The Sounds Conservancy’s 200-page electronic publication, which documents twenty-five years of work by the program’s Fellows.

BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION - QLF’s Biodiversity Conservation Program is managed by a Senior Program Consultant in Massachusetts with QLF staff members. The goals of the program are to encourage local communities to take an active role as citizen scientists, promote initiatives that secure sustainable development, steward and conserve ecosystems, and lead biodiversity conservation initiatives as a strategy to mitigate the impacts of a changing climate. 2020 projects are:

Aquatic Species at Risk – The Government of Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans awarded QLF a four-year grant secured by a QLF Senior Consultant who is recognized worldwide for her pioneering work in community-based conservation. The project contributes to the recovery of endangered and threatened marine species by reducing threats caused by fisheries such as entanglement with fishing gear, ingestion of plastics, and by-catch mortality.

Habitat Stewardship for Species at Risk – For a decade, QLF has been working with communities, fish harvesters to reduce threats to marine species such as accidental catch, entanglement in fishing gear, and ingestion of plastic debris. QLF works in collaboration with the fisheries in coastal communities to serve as stewards of marine ecosystems off Newfoundland and Labrador allowing for marine species to travel unencumbered by accidental catch and/or marine debris.

Marine Bird Conservation: Renewing Seabird Conservation on the Quebec North Shore – 2020 marks the first year of a two-year project, Marine Bird Conservation, which is managed by a Senior Consultant in Massachusetts. QLF launched this project in communities of the Quebec Lower North Shore, which is home to ten of Canada’s oldest migratory bird sanctuaries. Project goals are to engage residents in activities that protect the important seabird colonies along the Coast and raise awareness of threats to nesting colonies of seabirds and sea ducks.

Protected Areas Stewardship: Conservation and Stewardship of Ecologically Significant Species in New Brunswick’s Protected Areas – The goal of the Protected Areas Stewardship Program is the conservation and stewardship of protected areas in New Brunswick. The program, managed by QLF staff at the Headquarters, is directed in partnership with the Nature Trust New Brunswick, a charitable land conservation organization dedicated to the conservation and stewardship of 60 nature preserves of ecological significance throughout the province, QLF staff contribute to surveys and longitudinal studies of seabirds, sea ducks, and migratory birds as well as flora and fauna across New Brunswick’s protected areas.

THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE STEWARDSHIP INSTITUTE – QLF is the principal partner in the National Park Service Stewardship Institute, which was founded with the conviction that the National Park Service (NPS) has a great public purpose and that its people – charged with the stewardship of some of America’s greatest treasures – should be supported, challenged, and provided opportunities for renewal. Projects consist of the following.

Stewardship Today – QLF staff guided new initiatives under a banner of “Stewardship Today” to include plans for the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026.

New Parks/New Partnerships – QLF staff and the Stewardship Institute have been working with new-park superintendents and regional staff to define lessons learned on the establishment of new parks and partnerships.

Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network – QLF began a new initiative to develop a strategic plan for the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network to include parks, wildlife refuges, maritime museums, historic sites and water trails.

CONSERVATION EXCHANGE PROGRAMS – Conservation Exchange Programs foster an exchange of knowledge, experience, conservation and innovation across borders while promoting cross-border, international cooperation between communities and regions worldwide. International Fellows who have participated in QLF’s Conservation Exchanges represent 75 countries and six regions worldwide.

East Asia Conservation Exchange Program with Conservation Leaders from Mongolia and New England – In early 2020, QLF made arrangements to lead the second East Asia Conservation Exchange Program in Mongolia for practitioners from New England and Mongolia representing the public and private sector. This exchange was postponed until travel restrictions are released and until it is safe to travel.

The Great Flyways, A Middle East Conservation Exchange Program on the Rift Valley/Red Sea Flyways – Since 1992, QLF has directed Exchange Programs for conservation leaders from the Middle East, North Africa, and the Gulf States. A focus of the program is the environment, which serves as a bridge to mutual understanding and collaboration across borders, political boundaries, and cultural frameworks. In early 2020, QLF planned for a second Conservation Exchange Program on the Great Flyways to be held on the Rift Valley/Red Sea Flyways in Jordan. The program is postponed until it is deemed safe to travel.

QLF GLOBAL PROGRAM – The QLF Global Program consists of special assignments that promote innovative solutions for local and regional environmental challenges shared worldwide. Projects are:

Stewardship in Latin America – QLF continues to share its model of community-based conservation and stewardship of natural resources throughout Latin America through workshops and initiatives that advance strategic conservation objectives.

Privately Protected Areas with the International Union for Conservation of Nature – QLF’s Senior Vice President chairs a Specialist Group of the World Commission on Protected Areas within the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Its noted publication, Guidelines for Privately Protected Areas, written in collaboration with a QLF staff member, is central to a global effort to conserve privately protected areas. In 2020, and with support from a German Agency, QLF is implementing a series of training workshops, based on the guidelines for privately protected areas.

World Heritage Convention – QLF’s Senior Vice President serves as an advisor to the World Heritage Convention, which recognizes sites of Outstanding Universal Value, and to consult on the governance of sites. The Convention is managed by UNESCO.

Special Conservation Assignments QLF’s Senior Vice President serves on numerous international bodies including the Protected Landscapes Specialist Group; Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy of the International Union for Conservation of Nature; and the joint task force with the Species Survival Commission and Commission on Environmental Law.

Special Edition of PARKS, the International Journal of Protected Areas and Conservation – QLF Senior Vice President is co-editing a special issue of PARKS, the International Journal of Protected Areas and Conservation, on the impact and implication of SARS-CoV-2 on conservation areas.