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The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) and Elbow Lake Environmental Education Centre (ELEEC) are welcoming visitors back to the Elbow Lake Trails

May 22, 2020

Nature Conservancy of Canada is welcoming visitors back to Eastern Ontario properties. Visitors are welcome to enjoy the natural beauty of the Elbow Lake property in a respectful manner. The Elbow Lake trails are open to the public, however the Elbow Lake facilities remain closed to the public. In light of the current situation around the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak all visitors must practice physical distancing. We ask that visitors please do not gather in groups larger than 4 people, keep two meters (6 feet) away from other individuals and keep dogs on a leash. The Elbow Lake property operates on a carry-in / carry out basis, so all pet waste should be bagged, brought home, and disposed of in the garbage.

The Elbow Lake Environmental Education Centre (ELEEC) is the result of an agreement between the Queen’s University Biological Station (QUBS) and the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC). QUBS is one of the pre-eminent biological field stations in Canada known for research excellence and quality undergraduate learning experiences in field biology and other fields. NCC is Canada’s leading national land conservation organization that partners with corporate and landowners secure properties for conservation of biodiversity in perpetuity. The Education Centre was created in June 2011 to serve as a major site for environmental outreach and education for QUBS.

Our Mission

Conserve and protect the natural heritage of Elbow Lake and environs for future generations of Canadians.
Provide a unique venue for public outreach and educational programs in biodiversity conservation and environmental stewardship.
Engage in programs for public awareness of biodiversity and environmental issues for people of all ages.
Provide outdoor programs to enhance biological and natural history teaching components of school curricula.
Foster partnerships with like-minded educational and conservation organizations.

The Elbow Lake Environmental Education Centre can host a range of activities including school field trips, field courses, club meetings, individual or group retreats, and small conferences. We welcome visits from educators, academics, environmental organizations, and other conservation partners, and would be pleased to work with you to offer customized programming specific to your interests and needs.

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Working Towards Truth and Reconciliation

Posted on September 29, 2021

The Queen’s University Biological Station acknowledges that reconciliation is a long-term process and that it is the responsibility of all Canadians to reflect on the ways in which they can contribute to meaningful change. Accordingly, through engagement with the local Indigenous community, QUBS is committed to active learning and engagement in truth and reconciliation work through two ongoing projects.

In March 2020 and 2021, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Promoscience program awarded QUBS with a total of three years of funding to create five STEM Learning Bundles bringing together Indigenous land-based knowledge, Ontario Science curriculum outcomes, and locally conducted STEM studies. Our project, known as QUILLS (Queen’s University Indigenous Land-Based Learning STEM), is collaborative, drawing on the expertise of local Indigenous knowledge holders, teachers, and Queen’s STEM faculty, and is geared towards integrating the themes of the biodiversity crisis, global climate change, traditional Indigenous knowledge systems and the environment, invasive species, and contaminants in the environment. In addition to the Learning Bundles, tailored to grades 7-10, QUBS is also creating short videos to accompany each bundle and facilitating professional development sessions for local teachers in the Limestone District School Board and Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Boards. Stay tuned for the release of these locally-focused, decolonized STEM learning resources!

Additionally, with funding from the Frontenac Township and TD Friends of the Environment fund, QUBS is excited to be converting a section of the Red trail at the Elbow Lake Environmental Education Centre to be accessible for all users. This wheelchair-accessible trail will take visitors through several habitats, concluding at a thriving beaver pond. Working with local Indigenous Knowledge Keepers and Elders, QUBS is also creating four interpretive signs that will be installed along the trail. The signs will highlight plants and animals important to local Indigenous groups and provide translations for Anishinaabemowin and Kanien’kéha language learners. To go along with these signs, there will also be virtual app stations for visitors to learn more about the highlighted plants and animals and listen to words and traditional stories from both cultures, translated in both languages. A sign will also be placed at the beginning of the trail to explain the project and the traditional land use of this area before European settlement. Construction on the trail is soon to be completed, and signs will be installed in December 2021!

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