The Frontenac Arch Biosphere Network's
"Strategies for Sustainable Communities"
Workshop Series
Through 16 April 2011

Throughout the world, UNESCO World Biosphere Reserves are pledged to help protect areas of globally significant biodiversity, through support and education for sustainable community development. Sustainability is built on four equally important pillars: environment, vulture, society and economy.

During the winter and early spring months of 2011, the Biosphere Network hosted a series of workshops intended to help make the most of upcoming sustainable community planning. The "Strategies for Sustainable Communities" series explore topics of regional concern that can add immense value to this planning.  

The Biosphere Network is extremely grateful to Parks Canada for providing the funding necessary to help us develop and deliver this workshop series.

"Conservation Strategies I", November 22, at the Rockport Recreation Hall: The many conservation and residents groups active on the Frontenac Arch met and looked at how they can collaborate, effectively, to help landowners and planners alike develop the best conservation strategies. A wealth of knowledge was brought to the table by guest speakers from several organizations. View the workshop notes here.   Notes from the follow-up workshop in February can be found here.


"Educational and Creative Tourism", January 27, in Gananoque: guest speakers from tour development companies in Ontario to teamed up with area parks, artists, museums, tour operators and others. This region has all the ingredients for sustainable tourism - the outcome of this workshop became a detailed blueprint for a new future to explore the Arch. View the workshop notes here.


The "Power of Partnerships" with the Biosphere's AGM, January 29, at the Royal Brock Hotel in Brockville. We heard sustainability planning success stories in Canada from experts in the field, and ways to provide strategies for community well-being.   View the workshop notes here.


"Local Flavours - Food Strategies" February 12, 2:00 to 7:00 at the Firehall Theatre in Gananoque: those currently, and those wishing to be Local Flavours members, as food producers, restaurants and markets of the region, to lay out plans for 2011 and beyond. Lori Stahlbrand, President, Local Foods Plus and CBC broadcaster; and Edward Pond, author and food photographer will lead discussions on where Local Flavours will go, 2011 and beyond. 
View Lori’s Presentation here.     View the Local Flavours Annual Meeting notes here.


"Sustainable Tourism" February 15   The County of Frontenac completed its Integrated Community Sustainability Plan in early 2010.  The Frontenac Arch Biosphere was part of that planning team.  One of the key recommendations in the ICSP was to develop a sustainable tourism strategy for the County of Frontenac. Based on the experience in this region in sustainable tourism, the County contracted with the Biosphere to undertake the development of this strategy.  This was a workshop included businesses and attractions which layed the groundwork for a county-wide sustainable tourism strategy. Globally, sustainable tourism is where it's at, and guest speakers will brought that experience to participants.
View the workshop notes here. 


"Conservation Strategies II", February 22, at the Rockport Recreation Hall: The many conservation and residents groups active on the Frontenac Arch will met for a second time, and looked at how they can collaborate, effectively, to help landowners and planners alike develop the best conservation strategies. A wealth of knowledge was brought to the table by guest speakers from several organizations. View the workshop notes here.


"Climate Change & Ecosystem Services", March 8, Firehall Theatre in Gananoque: Two subjects on which our communities must come to grips with now to avoid future hardships-challenges, intricacies and planning strategies in recreation, tourism, agriculture, infrastructure and ecology. View the workshop presentations and notes here.


"Clean Energy and Energy Conservation", March 26: cost-effective energy conservation for residential and commercial buildings; and opportunities to produce energy from the sun, water, wind, crops and trees.  View the workshop notes here.   Presentations: Green Home     Mechanical and Electrical Residential     Renewable Energy    Clean Energy and Efficient Appliances


"FABulous Arts - FABulous", April 16 was held at the Brockville at the Brockville Country Club. Topics covered were network-building in the creative community, based on sustainability principles, learning from Handmade in America, North Carolina.  View the Workshop notes here.     View HandMade in America - Small Town Projects video presentation here.     View a second HandMade in America video presentation here    (Both videos have been posted with permission from their owners.)

For more information, email info@fabr.ca or call (613) 659-4824