CPCIL eSummit - Seeds of Change: Cultivating Climate-Smart Conservation Case Studies Across Canada by

"Connectivity Priority Actions" research (NCC, Parks Canada, CLLC, and partners)

2026-02-04 00:45:36 UTC

The Nature Conservancy of Canada is conducting multi-year, Canada-wide research collaborating with Parks Canada, the Center for Large Landscape Conservation, and local and regional partners. Called "Connectivity Priority Actions", this research aligns with Parks Canada’s Climate-Smart Conservation Principles by tackling two of the biggest climate-era decision gaps head-on: 1) we often do not know how much connectivity is required (i.e., thresholds, which differ by species and ecosystem), and 2) we lack clear evidence on which management actions will make the biggest difference and how feasible they are to implement. Through six cross-Canada case studies focused on functional connectivity for ~20 wildlife species varying in movement ability and habitat needs, the project tests how a wide range of management actions increase or decrease connectivity, estimates connectivity needs, and assesses effectiveness and feasibility. It uses science alongside Indigenous Knowledges and local knowledge, supported by ecozone comparisons, long-term monitoring data, and partner dialogue to chart practical pathways to shared connectivity goals.

Mapping the human modification of Canada, and the connectedness of protected and conserved areas

2026-02-04 00:57:01 UTC

NCC and a research partners are mapping the extent of human modification across Canada, and using it to evalute the connectedness of the protected areas network (using ProNet, a complementary indicator for Global Biodiversity Framework Target 3). Together, the results provide a shared baseline to track change over time and to focus protection, restoration, and management actions where they will do the most good as conditions shift.

Adaptation Efficacy Testing

2026-02-10 04:01:41 UTC

Despite over twenty years of adaptation practice, very little research has been conducted to assess if the actions taken are resulting in better outcomes (Hansen et al. 2023). As the impacts of climate change become more acutely felt, there is a growing need for the field of adaptation to have an evidence-base that can direct practitioners to actions that have a known level of efficacy. An adaptation efficacy working group developed a methodology to expedite learning and sharing of knowledge by assessing actions that have be implemented (Hansen et al. 2025). Projects are being developed to apply this methodology, the Climate Adaptation Knowledge Exchange (CAKEx.org) is being updated to better support exchange of learning from these projects, including sharing of negative results, and we are looking for more interested researchers to collaborator in this space.

Integrating climate-change exposure and refugia into landscape planning

elizabeth_nelson_pca — 2026-02-24 21:14:28 UTC

The concept of climate-change refugia—areas with the potential to buffer species and ecosystems from the effects of climate change—offers a valuable lens for identifying strategic opportunities for long-term stewardship. The authors present a flexible, climate-informed approach to landscape planning that integrates climate-change exposure and refugia information into a five-step process, supporting the practical use of spatial refugia metrics to inform land-use, conservation, and resource management decisions.

Using climate change metrics to inform conservation of Canada's Priority Places for Species at Risk

elizabeth_nelson_pca — 2026-02-24 21:20:54 UTC

Understanding the potential exposure of priority places for species conservation to climate change is critical to inform effective conservation action. However, climate change makes threat assessments challenging because species respond in diverse and sometimes unpredictable ways to factors like rising temperatures and extreme weather events. This study quantified potential changes across Canada's priority places using metrics representing multidimensional aspects of climate change.

From Monitoring to Action: Loons in a Changing Climate

elizabeth_nelson_pca — 2026-02-26 21:04:38 UTC

At La Mauricie National Park, monitoring of the Common loon helps understand how climate change—such as heavier rains and earlier springs—is affecting nesting success and to set realistic, forward-looking conservation goals. The Park is applying adaptive management by installing floating nesting platforms, limiting disturbance, tracking results, and adjusting actions based on what they learn.

Tracking changes in caribou habitat in a warming climate

elizabeth_nelson_pca — 2026-02-26 21:05:40 UTC

The Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation and Parks Canada are working together to understand how climate change is affecting the important summer range of the Porcupine Caribou Herd in Vuntut National Park, braiding Indigenous knowledge and western science and supporting transparent knowledge exchange and collaborative, climate-informed decision-making across partners.

The Coastie Initiative

elizabeth_nelson_pca — 2026-02-26 21:28:42 UTC

The Coastie initiative is a new citizen science program led by the University of Windsor in collaboration with Parks Canada that uses photos taken at participating sites across the country to help scientists monitor coastal change over time. "Coasties" are added to a database of thousands of other photos, which tell an almost real-time story of coastal dynamics and helps to track the impact of extreme weather events, most notably the powerful impact of Hurricane Fiona in Prince Edward Island National Park.

Planting the Future: Restoring Forests in Gros Morne

elizabeth_nelson_pca — 2026-02-26 21:50:56 UTC

Gros Morne National Park is restoring forests in a way that addresses both current and future climate challenges by planting tree species selected for their resilience to predicted climate conditions. By combining moose population management, seed collection from locally adapted trees, greenhouse propagation, and large-scale replanting, the project enhances carbon sequestration, strengthens ecosystem resilience, and helps forests adapt to long-term climate change impacts.

National Park Insect Biodiversity Monitoring

elizabeth_nelson_pca — 2026-02-26 23:14:19 UTC

10 national parks on the east coast of Canada are participating in a study that demonstrates a growing evidence base by systematically collecting, DNA sequencing, and cataloging insects across multiple habitats over time, allowing comparisons with data from ten years ago to track biodiversity trends. By monitoring both climate-driven changes (e.g., shifts in species ranges or size) and non-climate pressures (e.g., habitat loss from forest harvesting), the study examines how these threats interact and informs strategies to enhance ecosystem resilience.

Creating A Forest: Rouge National Urban Park

elizabeth_nelson_pca — 2026-02-26 23:32:11 UTC

This project uses a climate-informed, community-driven approach to restore forest ecosystems in the Greater Toronto Area, planting native trees and shrubs to improve biodiversity, sequester carbon, reduce flooding, and enhance habitat connectivity. By integrating scientific planning, volunteer engagement, and Indigenous knowledge, the initiative addresses both climate and non-climate threats, creating resilient, multifunctional forests while fostering environmental stewardship and hope through hands-on participation.

The Architect: Beavers as Ecosystem Engineers

elizabeth_nelson_pca — 2026-02-26 23:42:19 UTC

Beavers create wetlands that sequester carbon, slow water flow, reduce erosion, and foster productive riparian vegetation, making them a natural climate-smart solution that enhances ecosystem resilience to drought and wildfire. Through the Rouge National Urban Park human–wildlife coexistence program, monitoring of beaver activity since 2020 has informed best management practices—such as pond levelers and hazardous tree management—that balance biodiversity protection, climate benefits, and public safety while turning beaver wetlands into biodiversity hotspots.

Indigenous Climate Hub

2026-03-02 19:23:51 UTC

The vision of this website is to provide a platform for Indigenous peoples across Canada to share their climate change experiences and stories. Developed by Indigenous peoples for Indigenous peoples, the Indigenous Climate Hub provides access to climate change resources tools for Indigenous peoples to monitor and adapt to our ever changing climate. The platform also acts as a hub for Indigenous climate change leaders working on similar issues to come together and build from each others knowledge and experiences.

Natural and Nature-Based Climate Change Adaptation Community of Practice

2026-03-02 19:25:23 UTC

Natural and Nature-Based Climate Change Adaptation CoP

The platform offers an opportunity to connect with experts from the field through member profiles and private messaging. Have a look at different organization's work in the case studies section

2026-03-02 19:25:39 UTC

Fundy Biosphere Regions Forests of the Future Program: The purpose of the Forests of the Future program is to encourage selection and appropriate planting considerations for tree and plant species which will thrive according to a consideration for various climate models. We have created a shareable, searchable database to facilitate tree and plant selection and placement for use in landscape planning and design, while providing the necessary information to accommodate the needs of the selected plant, in terms of soil and light conditions, and their placement in relation to other plants/infrastructure.

NSERC ResNet

2026-03-02 19:31:14 UTC

Funded by NSERC’s Strategic Initiatives, ResNet is a network for monitoring, modelling, and managing Canadian ecosystem services for sustainability and resilience bringing together Canada-wide and local place-based

We bring together a broad community of scholars and resource managers from across academic, government, NGO, and industry sectors to identify paths for sustainable landscape management that ensure biologically diverse, resilient, and adaptive social-ecological systems amid the complexity of competing values, stakeholders, and political jurisdictions.

Eco-Improv

2026-03-02 19:56:28 UTC

Creative approaches to tackle difficult discussions and address difficult topics about climate change and eco-emotions

What Works Climate Solutions

2026-03-02 20:00:49 UTC

What Works Climate Solutions is a community-driven initiative by climate change researchers, decision-makers and evidence synthesis enthusiasts. Their work focuses on transforming how evidence is produced, curated, shared, and applied. They work to building capacity, facilitating meaningful exchanges between stakeholders, and fostering collaborations across the evidence ecosystem.

https://chris.peiclimate.ca/

2026-03-02 20:03:55 UTC

PEI Climate risk hazard mapping

The PEI Climate Hazard & Risk Information System (CHRIS) is a comprehensive GIS- and web-based tool that allows users to explore climate-related hazards across Prince Edward Island. CHRIS provides detailed information on flooding, erosion, and other climate risks, making it a valuable resource for decision-makers and the public. The system is designed to be accessible on any device, but for the best experience, it is recommended to use a computer or tablet. CHRIS includes features such as flood maps with water depth predictions and rates of coastal erosion, helping users understand the potential impacts of climate change on the Island's coastline and inland areas.

chris.peiclimate.ca +3

Columbia Valley Local Conservation Fund - Beaver dam analogue development

2026-03-02 20:08:20 UTC

Columbia River (at the headwaters) is really low at key areas in the fall. And getting lower with lower snowpack. There is significant work underway with Dr Suzanne Bayley to restore eddies and sloughs in the wetlands by recreating beaver dam analogues. There is huge biodiversity ripple effects. I am hoping to bring the youth at the highschool (invermere) to get involved and provide the braun to creating these dams - and create awareness (and try adaptive management)

*CPCIL eSummit* - Seeds of Change: Cultivating Climate-Smart Conservation Case Studies Across Canada by