LEAH GERBER A Nation of Noahs 26 years, 26 Noahs. Who’s next?

VOID THE OFFICE. And help save the planet. These were Laura King’s guiding principles when she began scholarship is inspired by the work of the late Gerald A her studies in wildlife biology. She couldn’t have Durrell, an international conservation known they would lead her on a mission to the Indian Ocean leader who founded what is now known to serve as Canada’s New Noah. King is the latest Noah in as the Durrell Wildlife Trust, and later Wildlife Preservation Canada in Guelph, a tradition which, for almost 30 years, has been protecting Ontario, as the Canadian arm of the Canada’s diversity. organization. Canada’s New Noah position is named for two of Durrell’s most Imagine the worst case scenario 70 first began assessing species and influential books, years from now. The unending expanse recommending them for protection in and The New Noah. In them he gives a of trees and lakes in Northern Ontario 1977, the researchers found that only modern interpretation of the religious contain no wildlife at all. The ocean 20 species have recovered enough character, Noah, who saved all the is an empty promise with nothing to be taken off the list completely, Earth’s animals from a flood by putting but seaweed and garbage, and the and five of these were due to two of every kind in a large boat. same for the mountains, prairies and increased sampling efforts. In Mauritius, the Noahs learn the skills rainforests of the West. necessary to preserve species, and are Seems far-fetched? Consider: This makes it plenty clear that our charged with practising them upon their planet’s species – including us humans return to Canada. • In 2014, the World Wildlife Fund – are facing severe challenges. And this But why must biologists travel to stunned the globe when they is where Canada’s New Noah comes Mauritius to learn how to preserve published their findings that in. Since 1990, Wildlife Preservation Canada’s species? the planet’s biodiversity had Canada (WPC), an organization dropped by 52 percent since dedicated to replenishing the country’s When habitat conservation is 1970. The International Union for most threatened species, has sent ineffective, Canada relies on Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) one young wildlife biologist a year the specialized skills of species Red List Index (an indicator that Avoid the office. to Mauritius, the home of the iconic conservation scientists. These people keeps track of global ecological dodo bird and global hub of species must directly intervene and somehow And help save the planet. diversity), reports downward conservation. regenerate disappearing populations. population trends for all of its fully WPC grants the biologist, named the But it’s not as easy as it sounds. And it’s assessed animal groups. New Noah, a six-month scholarship to not easy finding a way to learn. • The Committee on the Status of attend the internationally recognized was an early authority Endangered Wildlife in Canada Durrell Conservation Academy on on species conservation training. He (COSEWIC) recommends 739 the island. believed saving species from extinction species for legal protection, while When the scholarship was first was as much art as science. Environment and Climate Change offered, students split their time The world’s conservation authority, Canada considers 77 percent of between Mauritius and the original the International Union for Conservation species within our borders not at risk, training centre in Jersey, an island of Nature, also emphasizes a meaning 23 percent are at risk. in the English Channel in the UK. collaboration of biology and social skills • One recent study from the University Now, the Noah earns a formalized in order to preserve biodiversity. of Victoria found that the federal postgraduate diploma, a program for The IUCN’s format for species government’s measures to protect the world’s aspiring and established conservation strategies highlights three and replenish endangered species conservationists, in the recently key elements: an understanding of the

LI LING HO are ineffective. Since COSEWIC established Mauritian campus. ecology of the species in question to

24 alternativesjournal.ca 42:4 2016 42:4 2016 alternativesjournal.ca 25 recognize when the species is stable, development of a plan to achieve population stability, and an emphasis on multistakeholder participation. Arguably, those aiming to be an expert in species conservation will need to be trained in all three elements. They must have solid biological knowledge, practice in preservation techniques and a host of soft skills needed to coordinate projects across the societal stratum. While Canada’s formal education system excels at establishing scientific foundations, students are often left tracking down opportunities for the other pieces of their conservation frog guy + 1 education. Often, these opportunities are costly, underpaid or unpaid. Patrick Moldowan, last year’s Noah, is frustrated by the lack of practical training in formal conservation education. “Students are coming out of a lot of programs with a really well grounded basis in theory … but a lot of students maybe aren’t so familiar with what that actually looks like on the ground. If you have a theory, how do you use it?” Species-led wildlife preservation involves a range of highly specific techniques and methods, like the ability to recognize species in the wild, track and find them, move them from

one place to another, “head-start” or JULIA L. RILEY American bullfrog weighs in on Patrick Moldowan's amphibian research in Ontario's Algonquin Park. raise them in captivity to a certain age before release, use geolocators to trace movements, create artificial breeding essential aspects of conservation that will best prepare them for the people dedicated to saving the world’s grounds … to name a few. Species education, they aren’t the only skills conservation job market.” wildlife. They learn a host of skills, both conservation scientists must know a needed. For almost 30 years, WPC has technical and soft, often neglected in variety of methods in order to select One recent study published in quietly bridged this discrepancy by traditional science-based programs. and adapt the best practice for their Conservation Biology analyzed sending students to study at the Durrell While the New Noah program projects. conservation job advertisements in Conservation Academy through its does help one lucky grad build an This type of work is rarely taught government, non-profit and private New Noah program. outstanding resume, it’s also doing hands-on in formal graduate programs. sectors. The researchers found that The postgraduate diploma in something more important: breaking Most courses include some field- besides practical scientific knowledge, endangered species recovery is down, a little more with each additional work, but this is not usually tailored 74 percent of the advertisements accredited through the UK’s University Noah, the disassociation between to species-led preservation. Instead, were also devoted to nondisciplinary of Kent, and taught by world leaders studying conservation issues and this is usually acquired once students skills including project management, in conservation science. The course creating their solutions.

MATT BOYD MATT find themselves on the job. Moldowan interpersonal skills, written is divided into several modules Laura King feeds pieces of squid to a juvenile red-tailed tropicbird Phaethon( rubricauda) feels this can be a disservice. “When communication, program leadership and covering biology and ecology Among the sunbeams coming on Ile aux Aigrettes, Mauritius. These seabirds are being raised on the island to support a lot of students are getting out into networking. Targeted interviews with of small populations, recovery through Kelly green palms, Laura ecosystem restoration as a whole, as healthy seabird populations support other species the forest, or the lake, or the desert or industry professionals in charge of hiring techniques, leading conservation King pushes her boundaries as a on the island too. wherever they may be working, they’re yielded similar results. The authors write, projects, education and stakeholder scientific professional. Whether she’s Previous page: Laura climbs a tree in Black River Gorges National Park, Mauritius, to confounded by a whole new series of “This discrepancy between academic management, and a research project in climbing trees in full hazmat gear to find check a nesting box used by echo parakeets Psittacula( eques). The population of these challenges that maybe they’ve never training and professional needs can species recovery. parakeets, or learning about volunteer rare birds is recovering thanks to these specially designed boxes, which provide safe spots encountered earlier in their studies.” make it difficult for graduate students Students are exposed to a management in the classroom, each for pairs to nest and raise chicks as enough large mature trees aren’t available anymore. While theory and practice are two to identify the skills and experiences passionate, international community of week strengthens her confidence.

26 alternativesjournal.ca 42:4 2016 42:4 2016 alternativesjournal.ca 27 “You know, before [the New Noah This is the true legacy of the New drivers that are forcing human training and leadership development, program] I knew how to take samples Noah program. Year after year, behaviours, to look at the governments bringing us back to the New Noah and do T-tests and run a scientific Canada’s New Noahs have had their and industries operating in a country program. research project, but I did not know eyes opened not only to the skills, but and figure out collaborative ways to “This training in Mauritius is leading how to achieve conservation.” to the necessary integrative points of reach your goals. Most importantly, I Canadian conservation projects,” She admits, “It sounds cheesy, view to be leaders. learned that local people are the key to says King. “Almost thirty Canadian but especially going to big Canadian Dave Stepnisky is the director for success. This has spilled over into my biologists have been through this. research-intense universities, you kind Alberta’s fish and wildlife habitat policy. present career.” We’re everywhere; we’re in pretty much of float around in the middle. You never He was the New Noah in 1998. “The Every Noah reports returning from every province. We’re leading NGOs feel like a leader. You never really stand program changed my life. I truly mean Mauritius with the same perspective and leading government. And we’ve all out. To come on something like this that,” he writes. “I used to look at and capability to lead conservation come from this tiny little island.” [New Noah program] that develops species conservation issues through projects. Now, more than ever, Canada you in so many ways – week after only a scientific lens: fix the problem needs inspired leaders in species-led “What we need across Canada,” writes week you’re getting new skills – it sort that is causing the decline and recover preservation. Randal Heide, WPC’s educational of changes how you see yourself and a species. Simple, right? … I learned director, “is a national commitment so you start to think you could lead very quickly that conservation problems Wildlife Preservation Canada estimates to species recovery that’s as firm conservation projects too.” need to look at the social and economic between 30 and 40 percent of and comprehensive as our existing Canada’s species at risk require direct commitment to habitat preservation.” population intervention in order to This commitment must start at the survive. Habitat protection will not be educational level. The New Noahs enough to save them, although it is consider themselves lucky for the More Conservation Programs critical. They predict this number will opportunity they’ve been given, only rise with the increasing impacts but as the “extinction clock” counts Young Conservation Professionals Leadership Program of climate change and environmental down, there is no more time to leave Since 2005 the YCP Leadership Program has graduated over 200 participants, each who came out of the program with fundamental knowledge in degradation. comprehensive and motivational leadership and management in conservation. This one-year program provides Most conservation activities focus on training in species preservation to luck. three intensive retreats intended to build practical leadership skills, self maintaining larger sections of habitat As the pressure mounts to save the reflection and goal setting, as well as holds six workshops throughout Ontario, to keep whole ecosystems intact. country’s species, Canada must provide each focusing on a different key leadership skill. Negotiation, budgeting, These are called in situ, or “onsite” students with the tools they need to fundraising, public speaking, and confidence in pursuing new challenges species preservation efforts because perform species conservation, and are only some of the skills gained from the program. Participants need to the species are conserved in their infuse them with a sense of leadership

have at least two years of experience in land and water conservation or the natural environment. In situ methods EWING STEVEN and inspiration. environment and must hold a staff position in a government, non-profit, or are considered the most effective Dave Stepnisky holds a Mauritius kestrel during his time as a New Noah. The Mauritius This will result in a culture of private sector organization in Ontario. conservation strategies and are largely kestrel was once considered the most endangered bird in the world with less than 10 responsibility in conservation ycpleadership.ca given priority. known individuals. Thanks to work by the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation and efforts education. But why stop there? A Traditionally, ex situ or “offsite” including those of the New Noahs, there are now hundreds of kestrels in the wild. This culture of leadership and responsibility Liber Ero Fellowship Program preservation techniques involving picture shows Dave Stepnisky holding a young Mauritius kestrel after banding, and for biodiversity in our country must exist The Liber Ero Fellowship strives to foster independence and creativity before returning it to the nest. in postgraduates wanting to expand their research in conservation and captive breeding have been in every sector. What we need, in fact, is management issues. Accepted applicants will receive two years of support seen as secondary in the larger to become a nation of Noahs. for their study, which can range from natural, social, and trans-disciplinary conservation movement because of “[Species intervention] may seem of birds able to thrive long enough in topics intended to solve the conservation problem of interest. Some current the invasive nature, cost, decades- very invasive,” says WPC’s conservation captivity to outlast the remnants of DDT Leah Gerber holds degrees in English, projects underway are building a climate change dispersal network for long time commitments and relatively program director, and 2005 New and eventually repopulate. International Development Studies and Canada’s protected areas and conserving species at risk on Canada’s last inconsistent or even complete lack Noah, Jessica Steiner, “but it’s a choice Current examples include the Journalism, and still believes stories remaining native grasslands. of results. between doing something, or seeing ongoing work with the northern leopard change the world. liberero.ca Ex situ conservation is a last-resort that species disappear.” frog in British Columbia and Alberta or method, but unfortunately its role Ex situ preservation has been the Antillean manatee in Brazil. ReNewZoo Program For more information on the in today’s conservation efforts is used many times in dire situations Steiner argues that these The ReNewZoo program is a new graduate (MSc/PhD) training program that New Noah program, how to recognized to be growing. to bring species back from the edge techniques can work hand-in-hand will help train conservation professionals in zoos and aquariums across apply and the conservation work The UN’s updated strategy for with habitat conservation as another Canada and globally. The training focuses on conservation research in of extinction in Canada and around Wildlife Preservation Canada is plant conservation includes a target tool in the preservation toolbox. She wild and captive animal populations and will have locations in five major the world. Perhaps most famously in doing across the country, visit of maintaining a hefty 75 percent of says scientists need to know how research-intensive zoos and aquariums in Canada, as well as the Canadian Canada is the work of Richard Fyfe, a wildlifepreservation.ca. (CAZA) and American (AZA) zoo and aquarium organizations. The program global threatened species in captive pioneer conservation scientist who also to conduct species intervention has recently been awarded 1.6 million dollars from the CREATE program of the collections, while The IUCN recognizes helped found the New Noah program. techniques well so they can be applied To learn about the Durrell Wildlife Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) to kick the increasingly valuable role of Fyfe conducted his ground-breaking effectively when needed. Foundation and how to apply directly start its journey. ex situ techniques, reflected in the work to breed and release anatum This has been WPC’s mission since to the postgraduate diploma in renewzoo.ca 2014 updated Guidelines for the Use subspecies of peregrine falcons in its inception: to develop capacity for endangered species recovery, visit – Veronika Szostak of Ex Situ Management for Species the 1970s when the techniques were species-led conservation. Working ajlinks.ca/DurrellTraining. Conservation. still ridiculed. This resulted in a stock towards this goal, one main priority is

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