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Winter 2012

Newsletter Archive

 

Northern Infrastructure Project

 
article image The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) engaged the Miistakis Institute to undertake a review of infrastructure effects on social and ecological systems and planning considerations in northern Ontario landscapes. The Far North of Ontario is one of the world's largest, most intact ecological systems, reflecting a high level of ecological integrity and providing ecosystem services beyond its borders.

Currently, infrastructure includes only two permanent roads and a series of winter ice roads. The low level of linear infrastructure is noted as a barrier to economic development, access to natural resources and social development for First Nations communities. The objectives of this project are to undertake an ecological and social review of the Far North landscape in the context of reducing the ecological effects of new linear infrastructure and to identify recommendations for research and policy in Ontario's Far North. Photo credit: Boreal Forest Photo Project