Management & Protection

3 Lessons the World Can Learn from Pimachiowin Aki

June 12, 2025

Irene Fogarty’s PhD research began with a question: how can Indigenous-led conservation guide the future? She found answers in the story of Pimachiowin Aki.

1. Congratulations on completing your doctorate! We first met you in March 2020 when you approached Pimachiowin Aki to participate in your PhD research. Your research focuses on Indigenous Peoples and the guardianship of protected areas in Canada including current and tentative World Heritage sites. Can you explain more about this?

Thank you! The greatest honour I had during my doctorate was the opportunity to meet some of my heroes: the Board and Anishinaabe community members of Pimachiowin Aki. The aim of the study was to show how important it is to empower Indigenous Peoples in protecting traditional lands and waters, including through formal partnerships with provincial and federal governments. Pimachiowin Aki is a great example for how to do this.

Irene Fogarty, Doctor of Philosophy in World Heritage, University College Dublin, School of Archaeology.

2. What drew you to this research— was there a moment or story that sparked your interest?

Really, it was the injustice of how Indigenous Peoples are treated in Canada, including in protected areas conservation. While Canada has taken many positive steps to finance Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas, only some World Heritage sites in the state have Indigenous Peoples in formal, equal decision-making partnerships alongside federal or provincial authorities. The partnership between Bloodvein River, Pauingassi, Little Grand Rapids and Poplar River First Nations and the provincial governments sets a positive example of formal, shared decision-making in numbered Treaty territory. Anishinaabeg drove the World Heritage nomination. This, along with their determination and resilience to see the site protected, shows the power of Indigenous leadership to make positive changes that benefit everyone.

Irene in discussion with community members and provincial government staff at the Pimachiowin Aki 2022 AGM.

3. You interviewed 43 people across Canada and internationally, including 18 people from Pimachiowin Aki. Was there a conversation or moment during your interviews that stayed with you— something that changed how you see protected areas conservation?

I was honoured and humbled to have spoken with every person who contributed from Pimachiowin Aki. Everyone was so patient and generous with their time. I was moved by how the First Nation communities wanted to protect Pimachiowin Aki as a World Heritage site for the benefit of all. Ed Hudson and Ray Rabliauskas of Poplar River explained how Elders saw what’s happening in this world and wanted to make sure it would be saved for everybody’s benefit. Looking at how Indigenous Peoples are treated in Canada, this is a profound gift. William Young of Bloodvein and Clinton Keeper of Little Grand Rapids both spoke of the importance of ceremonies and their concern for loss of language and culture – a concern shared by many participants. Lands Guardian Melba Green and Councillor Ellen Young, both in Bloodvein, are amazing women. They spoke to me about the importance of encouraging Anishinaabe knowledge and culture in the classroom.

I was so grateful I got to meet Joe Owen of Pauingassi First Nation.
Joe Owen passed away in August 2023

I was so grateful I got to meet Joe Owen of Pauingassi First Nation. He’s a huge loss. He spoke of learning out on the land with family, as did three Bloodvein community members. It was wonderful to hear these recollections. Bruce Bremner and Gord Jones spoke about the difficulties of the World Heritage inscription and the challenges faced by the Pimachiowin Aki partners. Hearing this firsthand really brought home the challenges for everyone. Their insights showed how important it was that the communities kept fighting to get World Heritage recognition, because it compelled the World Heritage system to adopt better processes. Those are just a few examples off the top of my head, but everyone’s contribution was a privilege to hear, and so important. I also found it very moving how Anishinaabeg uphold the Seven Teachings, including through the determination to protect Pimachiowin Aki and all its beings, and have a willingness to work with everyone nationally and internationally to do so. Everyone should learn the Seven Teachings and take to heart the lessons provided by the communities of Pimachiowin Aki.

4. You describe Pimachiowin Aki as a case study in “how to do things right.” What makes this World Heritage site so unique and effective in your view?

The First Nations decided World Heritage inscription was the best way to protect the land and waters and all beings of Pimachiowin Aki. The idea of equitable partnership with the provinces to protect the site respects Treaty rights and constitutional rights of Indigenous Peoples. Furthermore, as the provincial and federal governments respected the aims of First Nations to have Pimachiowin Aki inscribed as a World Heritage site, this supported Article 31 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

The destruction of Indigenous Peoples’ relationships with lands and waters was a key strategy of settler colonialism.

Article 31 asserts that Indigenous Peoples have the right to protect, control and maintain their cultural heritage and knowledge systems. This right should be upheld by the state. Furthermore, the World Heritage inscription recognises the importance of protecting Anishinaabe culture as well as the Boreal territory. While the extent of international legal protection offered through the World Heritage Convention is somewhat limited, the inscription gives international visibility to the importance of protecting Anishinaabe culture and landscapes.

Another important point is how shared decision-making power through the Board is vital in challenging inequalities stemming from settler colonialism. The destruction of Indigenous Peoples’ relationships with lands and waters was a key strategy of settler colonialism. Anishinaabe leadership in decision-making for Pimachiowin Aki is vital in maintaining and restoring cultural and spiritual connections with the site.

5. Your research concludes that Pimachiowin Aki offers important lessons to the world. What are some of the lessons we should all pay attention to?

a) How have communities pushed back against coloniality in the World Heritage process—and what can other Indigenous Nations learn from that experience?

Coloniality refers to the unequal power relations which are rooted in colonialism and continue in the present to oppress and marginalise Indigenous Peoples. We see it in the treatment of Indigenous Peoples in healthcare; in broken Treaty promises; in the pollution of traditional territories by extractive industries; in the lack of progress with the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, etc.

The partners of Pimachiowin Aki did incredible work.

Coloniality is not just in Canada—those unequal power relations are everywhere. Another example of coloniality lies in the World Heritage processes which operated during the Pimachiowin Aki nomination. The partners of Pimachiowin Aki did incredible work in progressing with the nomination, yet some of the World Heritage evaluation processes were extremely unfair. They reflected a very “Eurocentric” view, i.e. a Western mindset which disrespected the worldviews of the First Nations. However, the Pimachiowin Aki partners persisted with the World Heritage bid, showing incredible resilience and determination. As a result, the World Heritage Committee made positive changes to ensure a more sensitive approach that better recognises the importance of supporting Indigenous Peoples.

It is important that researchers recognise they are not the expert. Rather they should listen and learn.

b) Respectful research—how did you approach your responsibility as a researcher working with communities who’ve often been studied but not listened to/ignored or misrepresented?

I was very aware that as an outsider I have very little knowledge about the lives and experiences of the Anishinaabe communities of Pimachiowin Aki. It is important that researchers recognise they are not the expert. Rather they should listen and learn. They should acknowledge the immense privilege of working with Indigenous communities. They need to act with humility and ensure Indigenous Peoples’ priorities are the real priority, not what the researcher may have in mind. Researchers should support of the goals of Indigenous communities. The Anishinaabe communities deserve recognition and absolute respect for all they have done at Pimachiowin Aki. To make sure I wasn’t misrepresenting anything, I sent copies of anything I wrote about Pimachiowin Aki to the Board for approval. I have also committed to making sure the stories and experiences of Pimachiowin Aki and its people are responsibly told and shared as widely as possible.

The planet is on its knees in terms of biodiversity loss and climate change.

c) Funding issues—What do they reveal about the federal government’s broader commitments to Indigenous-led conservation?

A huge issue for Pimachiowin Aki is the lack of sustained federal funding. While the provinces supported Pimachiowin Aki in the past, it is shocking that the federal government has not provided sufficient additional support. Among other things, this would help finance activities and initiatives to protect Anishinaabe culture which is directly linked to conservation of the Boreal landscape and all beings. Because of the World Heritage Convention, the state is obliged to provide finance for the continued protection of the site. However, this globally important World Heritage site is being ignored and to me, that’s a betrayal of the First Nations. A substantial investment by the federal government towards long-term conservation of the site is imperative. I note that the federal government, at the time of Pimachiowin Aki’s World Heritage inscription, was very happy to speak of this huge achievement. The government needs to move beyond empty gestures and words.

6. If there’s one message or insight from your research you want people to really take to heart, what would it be?

The planet is on its knees in terms of biodiversity loss and climate change. In many areas of Canada and internationally, Indigenous Peoples are doing the heavy lifting towards positive change. This is despite the continuity of appalling racism, marginalisation, oppression and environmental destruction affecting Indigenous Peoples. Indigenous leadership in protected areas conservation—and indeed land management as a whole—should be fully supported, fully respected and fully funded. This means:

Centring Indigenous governance, laws and knowledges in all aspects of conservation
Substantial funding towards Indigenous cultural continuity, intergenerational knowledge transmission and land-based learning
Respecting the constitutional, Treaty and inherent rights of Indigenous Peoples in addition to internationally ascribed rights

Thank you, Irene. It has been wonderful to work with you. We appreciate what you have done to effect positive change for Indigenous-led stewardship and World Heritage.

Thank you.

An Ethical Fall Moose Harvest

September 17, 2024

As the fall moose harvest approaches, Pimachiowin Aki wants to remind community members and all hunters to help Guardians during this busy time. If you see any waste, reckless hunting, or hunters being disrespectful, tell your Guardian. Guardians will, in turn, report concerns to their communities and to provincial staff.

Moose Population

Pimachiowin Aki is communicating with our provincial government partners to renew our working relationship and talk about the moose population and concerns about harvesting.

“We want to be part of the decision-making process. We want to be part of the consultation and plans,” says Pimachiowin Aki Director William Young, Bloodvein River First Nation.

Having conversations and sharing information with government partners will allow us to make the best decisions for the moose, adds Pimachiowin Aki Executive Director Alison Haugh. “How are moose doing in the area? Do we need to close areas or limit the hunt because moose are not doing well? If they are not doing well, is it due to habitat or hunting pressure? These are important answers to have.”

Watch for updates on our work with wildlife and habitat.

Did You Know?

Most of Pimachiowin Aki is caribou habitat, but because of the wildfire cycle, we could see more moose in five to 10 years from now.

infographic denting 100 years of resources following a wildfire

Photo: Ōtake Hidehiro

Songmeter Project – First Results Are In

March 21, 2023

Thank you to contributors Councillor Eddie Hudson, Poplar River Lands Guardians Norway Rabliauskas and Brad Bushie, Dr. Jeff Wells, and Elisha Corsiga (writer)

Our Elders and their ancestors have cared for our Traditional Lands for over 6,000 years.

Protecting Pimachiowin Aki, which over 200 bird species rely on for survival, is an important example of how we care for the land,” says Poplar River First Nation Lands Councillor Eddie Hudson.

Since 2016, Poplar River Lands Guardian Norway Rabliauskas has been collaborating with scientists from Audubon’s Boreal Conservation program to better understand how songbird populations are changing in the face of climate change.

The first results of the ‘Songmeter Project’ are in.

“Songmeters record bird sounds,” says Guardian Brad Bushie, Poplar River Lands Guardians Program. Using knowledge of the land, Poplar River Lands Guardians placed the recording units at four sites across the traditional territory, he explains.

The number of bird species recorded allows us to analyze population changes over time,” adds Dr. Jeff Wells, Vice President for Boreal Conservation at National Audubon Society.

*Map of survey sites in Poplar River First Nation and its location within Pimachiowin Aki, courtesy Audubon*

Guardians placed Songmeters in four survey sites in Poplar River First Nation throughout the spring of 2016

71 bird species were detected

At least 18 of the species detected have more than 70% of their breeding range confined to the Boreal Forest biome, meaning their survival relies heavily on healthy landscapes like Pimachiowin Aki

Two species were detected on more than half of all recordings:
- White-throated Sparrow
- Swainson’s Thrush

Five species were detected on more than 30% of all recordings:
- Blackburnian Warbler
- Ovenbird
- Song Sparrow
- Bald Eagle
- American Crow

At least 20 species listed as special concern, threatened, or endangered by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) are believed to occur within Pimachiowin Aki. The Songmeter project captured recordings of three of the bird species listed by COSEWIC:
- Common Nighthawk
- Eastern Whip-poor-will
- Canada Warbler

Common Nighthawk
Photo: Christian Artuso

National Audubon Society’s recent study, Survival by Degrees, found that over two-thirds of North American birds are moderately or highly vulnerable to a global average temperature increase of 3°C by 2080. This includes many species detected at Poplar River First Nation, such as:
- Bay-breasted Warbler
- Cape May Warbler
- Canada Warbler
- Blackburnian Warbler

How the collaboration began

“We first talked with the Guardians and community, and asked if they would be interested,” says Jeff.

Norway says the project is a good fit for his community. “One of our goals is to develop new research partnerships. Plus, the project builds on the monitoring work we have already been doing.”

Indigenous Knowledge and Western Science come together

The Songmeter project relies heavily on Guardians, and the process of collaborating starts with listening and respect.

Listening to Guardians’ advice is crucial in a project like this, where Indigenous Knowledge and Western Science combine to create strong, respectful conservation efforts, says Jeff. “Things always overlay with Indigenous knowledge.”

Guardians serve as stewards and scientists and are central to a program that pairs data collection with Indigenous ecological knowledge to track changes across the site over time.
Chad Wilsey, Vice President and Chief Scientist, National Audubon Society, in his blog about his work and experience in Poplar River First Nation

Guardians have a good understanding of the land and decide where to install Songmeters.

“Our Guardians’ hard work and understanding of the land have contributed to the project’s success,” says Councillor Eddie Hudson. “We are proud of the work they do.”

*Guardian Norway Rabliauskas installs a Son*gmeter.

The project continues

This past year, Guardians installed Songmeters in the same four locations as 2016. The 2017-2021 recordings have yet to be formally processed but since the start of the project, the number of species the team has identified has “greatly expanded,” Jeff says.

Thousands of hours of song

Analyzing bird sounds can be a difficult and time-consuming task.

“What happens with this kind of work is that you can get thousands of hours of recordings, and you can imagine someone sitting down and listening… You can only get through so much,” says Jeff.

The relatively small team picked random samples, listening to four 10-minute recordings from each day collected in 2016.

187.3 hours of recordings were sampled between May 27 and July 1, 2016
Birds of Poplar River Project – First Results

New technology to speed up the process

Recently, the team implemented BirdNET in their identification process. BirdNET is an artificial intelligence algorithm developed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. This bird identification machine can quickly go through recordings to identify specific bird species.

The team will use BirdNet to help identify the recordings taken in Poplar River First Nation from 2017–2021.

Looking forward

In the upcoming year, National Audubon Society and Poplar River First Nation Lands Guardians Luke Mitchell, Brad Bushie and Youth Guardian Aiden Heindmarch will work together to expand the areas where Songmeters are placed. They plan to set up Songmeters in deeper and more remote areas of the forest.

“One place takes a couple of days to get to by boat,” Jeff says. “It’s exciting to see what we might find in these places.”

He hopes that over the years more First Nation communities can use Songmeters when developing their monitoring programs. He also hopes for more collaborative initiatives with communities in Pimachiowin Aki.

“If that’s what communities want to be a part of,” he says, “there are a lot of interesting things to discover.”

What to Do if You Spot Algae This Summer

June 27, 2022

Water is sacred. It is the source of life and should be respected and protected. Waterways are like the arteries of Mother Earth and flow along, receiving and depositing nourishment for all plants and animals.
Pauingassi Lands Management Plan

Pimachiowin Aki is known for its pristine waters. Rivers, streams, lakes, waterfalls, and rapids flow gracefully through the World Heritage site while sustaining the ecosystem and the Anishinaabe way of life.

Water is life—a food provider, wildlife habitat, a hydration source, and travel route. Its health is crucial.

Bloodvein River First Nation Guardian Melba Green spotted algae in Pimachiowin Aki in 2021 and wants everyone to help keep an eye out for this potential hazard this summer.

“I saw it right behind my house at the water’s edge in the Bloodvein River,” she says. She immediately took a picture. “I mentioned it to someone here and they suggested I take a sample. However, when I went back the algae was no longer there.“

Melba also saw what looked like harmless green weeds further up river and later wondered if this, too, was algae. Richard Farthing-Nichol, Project Manager at Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources says “while algae is a natural part of the Bloodvein River ecosystem, excessive algae could be a problem and is something to watch out for.” Algal blooms are more common in the south end of the Lake Winnipeg, but can happen anywhere, he says.

Pimachiowin Aki’s waterways (seen here) flow into Lake Winnipeg. The health of Lake Winnipeg is being threatened by algal blooms.

Algae refers to a wide range of simple plants that can grow in any body of water. You will typically notice algae as small green particles in water. It is normal for a lake to have some algae, but too many nutrients in water can lead to an overgrowth of algae, which then forms algal blooms. Algal blooms are generally unpleasant and can even be toxic depending on the type.

Why algae can be dangerous

Algae is a natural part of the environment. It can be found in any body of water. Richard explains that algae provide food for small water organisms and supplies much of the oxygen we breathe. But too much algae can be a problem, he cautions.

“Some types of blue-green algae found in algal blooms can be toxic to humans and animals. Also, when algae die, they decompose and use up oxygen that other organisms need to survive. This can impact entire food chains and lead to fish die-offs,” he says.

Melba recalls an encounter with a fisherman in Bloodvein River First Nation two years ago. “He was concerned about fishing in the lake because the water was “sticky.” She has heard this same description from others. “An Elder said that when you pull your hand out of the lake, your hand is sticky. When people pull their fishing nets from the water the sticky stuff is on their nets.”

Certain algae hurt the environment and economy by:

Producing toxins that can kill or sicken people and animals
Creating “dead zones” in water—areas lacking oxygen that become uninhabitable for marine life
Raising costs for drinking water as drinkable water becomes more scarce
Impacting industries that require clean water

These hazards show why it’s crucial to identify toxic algae if we plan to keep the environment and economy healthy and thriving.

How to spot toxic algae

Not all algae are toxic. The kind to watch out for is blue-green algae or cyanobacteria. The physical appearance of blue-green algae varies, which makes it difficult to identify. Richard explains, “Algal blooms are generally green and often form floating clumps or scums, sometimes making the water look like thick pea soup or paint. They also emit a strong, unpleasant odour. A laboratory analysis is the only way to tell if an algal bloom is toxic. “It is best to exercise caution and treat all algal blooms as if they contain toxins,” Richard warns.

Melba reports that she has been “in and out from the Bloodvein River and has not spotted algae yet this year. If she sees it again, she will “carefully take a sample and give it to the nursing station, which will send it to water sampling experts.”

Algae can be found in wide range of habitats beyond lakes and rivers, including in soil, growing on rocks and snow, and in plants such as lichens.

“When young ones and teenagers see wildlife or something unusual on the water or land, they come and tell me. I plan to learn more about algae and make a presentation to the school so they know what to look for,” says Melba.

Richard explains how algae affects communities, including places like Pimachiowin Aki, where fishing is a livelihood:

“Algal blooms, and especially toxic blue-green algae, can negatively impact communities in many ways. Algal blooms can make beaches unpleasant and unsafe for swimming, clog water intake pipes and fishing nets, and reduce the amount of fish available for harvesting.”

Please act as the eyes and ears of the land and waters, and report all sightings of algae to prevent the problem from growing.

What to do if you spot algae this summer

In Manitoba

Report algal blooms to the province at the following website: https://forms.gov.mb.ca/algal_report/index.html

In Pimachiowin Aki

The protocol for reporting toxic algae in Pimachiowin Aki is the same as the protocol for reporting pollution, littering, accidents, forest fires, and other threats to the land:

Take a photo or video
Write down details (such as where you are located and what you see, including the algae’s size, shape and colour)
Call the nearest administrative office:


Bloodvein River First Nation	204.395.2148
Little Grand Rapids First Nation	204.397.2264
Pauingassi First Nation	204.397.2371
Poplar River First Nation	204.224.2267
Manitoba Department of Agriculture and Resource Development	toll-free 1.800.282.8069
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry	toll-free 1.877.847.7667

Inform as many people as possible
Tell everyone you know about the dangers of harmful algal blooms. There’s no such thing as too much help for a problem like this. Spread the word for the health of Pimachiowin Aki’s waters and the protection of the Anishinaabe way of life.

Q&A with Richard

1. What causes algae?
Algae, like all plants, need sunlight and nutrients, primarily phosphorous and nitrogen, to grow. Phosphorous and nitrogen are found naturally in the environment, but humans also use phosphorous in fertilizers that we apply to our gardens and farmland. Phosphorous is also found in wastewater. When too much phosphorous gets into the water by, for example, fertilizer running off farmland into nearby streams, algae can grow rapidly and create algal blooms. Algal blooms are most likely to occur in hot weather with little or no wind.

2. Is it safe to go into the water and swim if I spot algae?
You should avoid swimming in water with algal blooms.

3. Does boiling water remove toxins from algae-contaminated water?
No, the toxins cannot be destroyed by boiling the water.

4. Is it safe to eat fish or wildlife if the water in my community is affected?
It should generally be safe, but you should take some precautions. Because algal toxins can accumulate in fish, you should avoid eating the internal organs, like the liver and kidneys, of fish caught in water experiencing an algal bloom. You should also pay close attention to the condition of the fish—if it appears unhealthy, do not eat it.

5. Pimachiowin Aki is part of the largest stretch of intact boreal forest on earth. How does the boreal forest purify water?
Nature is extremely good at looking after itself if given the opportunity. The roots of trees and other plants can absorb excess nutrients and other toxins from water and soil, which helps purify the water. Some aquatic plants like cattails are particularly good at removing nutrients such as phosphorous from the water. This is one of the many reasons that healthy wetlands are so important. The boreal forest is full of wetlands that are helping purify the air, water, and fight climate change, not to mention providing food and medicines for people and habitat for other creatures.

6. What actions can I take in my everyday life to be part of the solution?
Reducing the amount of phosphorous that you use is the best thing you can do in your everyday life to be part of the solution. You can do that by not fertilizing your yard (or by using phosphorous-free fertilizer), using cleaning products (such as dish soap and detergent) that are phosphorous-free, and not disposing of pharmaceuticals, food, or chemicals down the drain.

For a list of actions you can take to protect water and ensure we have fresh water for generations to come, visit: https://www.lakefriendly.ca/.

Community-Based Monitoring Project in Poplar River First Nation

December 20, 2021

By Ray Rabliauskas | Photos: Jesse Belle

This past summer our Lands Guardian Program started a Community-Based Monitoring Project. We are collecting data using drones to monitor Lake Winnipeg algal blooms and shoreline erosion as well as testing water quality in the Poplar River that may affect fishing harvests and access to fishing grounds within Poplar River Traditional Territory.

Poplar River First Nation is moving towards becoming self-reliant with monitoring lands and waters by combining both scientific methods with what is already known—Elders’ Traditional Knowledge. We understand the importance of having the best information available so we can make good decisions in regards to our lands. Poplar River First Nation also understands the importance of having our own people with skills and equipment to do this work ourselves.

The Monitoring Program will provide learning opportunities for youth from our Elders and scientists so they can continue and expand the scope of this work for years to come.

(left to right) Brad Bushie with Dennis Bittern and Norway Rabliauskas of the Poplar River First Nation Lands Guardian program.

We have hired Brad Bushie as part of our Community Based Monitoring Project.

“My name is Brad Bushie. I am from Poplar River and I am 24 years old. I have been working on and off for several years with our Lands Guardian Program. I have been hired full time to work with our drone to monitor the effects of climate change. I have received my certification as a Drone Pilot with a limited licence. This means I can operate our drone in uncontrolled airspace. I have almost completed training and studying to receive my Advanced Drone Pilot Licence, which will allow me to fly the drone anywhere in Canada. I love this work. It’s good to work with our Elders and the drone is a very cool instrument; it’s like a live video game.”
Brad Bushie, Poplar River First Nation

(left to right) Tom Sutton of North/South Consultants trains Brad Bushie to use the drone.

We are happy to share and highlight the work of our very competent Lands Guardians’ Team. As a community, we are very proud of these young people and the work they do.
Poplar River First Nation Lands Program

The following reports summarize the main field activities conducted and data collected during years two and four of the project:

Poplar River_Community Based Monitoring Project_Year 4 Report Download

Poplar River First Nation CBM-Year 2-Report_02 Download

New Eye in the Sky

December 20, 2021

Birds have always been an eye in the sky above Pimachiowin Aki. Now, thanks to drones provided by environmental consulting and research firm ECOSTEM, Pimachiowin Aki Corp. has an eye up there too.

We are working with ECOSTEM to map land and water habitats in Pimachiowin Aki as well as tangible cultural features found mainly along major rivers in the area. At 29,000 square kilometers, Pimachiowin Aki is simply too large to ‘see’ from the ground. Each drone, and its pilot are giving us a close-up look at areas we want to know more about.

“The project will enhance our understanding of Pimachiowin Aki and provide a baseline for monitoring,” says Pimachiowin Aki’s Executive Director. “Our monitoring program is part of how we fulfill our responsibilities as a UNESCO World Heritage site,” she adds.

Working with ECOSTEM will also allow us to bring all data we have ever collected into one place—a digital map of Pimachiowin Aki. People will be able to search the map for answers to questions like: Where do lake sturgeon spawn? What areas have been affected by wildfire? Where are the best places to find blueberries?

*Drones are used to help map wildfire history, ecosystem health, and effects of climate change*.

What exactly are we mapping?

Habitat Mapping	Cultural Feature Mapping
Land habitats such as forests and grasslands, wildlife habitats such as caribou calving areas	Archaeological sites such as places where stone was collected to make tools
Water habitats such as rivers, wild rice, and wildlife habitat such as lake sturgeon spawning areas	Harvesting sites such as hunting and fishing areas, traplines, and berry and medicine plant gathering areas
Parts that form each habitat such as plants, soil and rock	Cultural sites such as cabins, campsites and petroforms

Collecting Data from Soil to Sky

ECOSTEM collects vegetation, soil, and environmental data from plots

Mapping is like taking inventory—in this case, identifying the location, number and kinds of habitats and cultural features in Pimachiowin Aki. ECOSTEM is taking inventory by going out on the land and water to collect samples and take photos and notes. The drones are capturing photos and video.

ECOSTEM Senior Ecologist Dr. James Ehnes says that the ECOSTEM drones collected “about 9,000 photos and 37 minutes of video” of Pimachiowin Aki this fall. “We had planned to capture considerably more photos and video but were unable to do so due to Covid restrictions, wildfire-related travel bans, loss of logistical support in communities that were evacuated, and extremely low water levels on rivers.”

Once we have our complete ‘inventory,’ Pimachiowin Aki can track changes over time. This is where monitoring comes in.

Monitoring is like giving Pimachiowin Aki a regular checkup—we will compare new information with our original inventory to keep watch on Pimachiowin Aki’s natural and cultural health. This will help us make sense of any changes and predict and prepare for any threats.

*Flying the drone from an island in Bloodvein River.*

Project Q&A

We gained insights on the project through an interview with Dr. James Ehnes of ECOSTEM:

Your work with Pimachiowin Aki began in 2011 when you completed an ecosystem analysis to show how the area met UNESCO World Heritage criteria for outstanding universal value. What is different about the work you are doing today?

The ‘feeling’ has changed from conducting an academic exercise to having the opportunity to serve Pimachiowin Aki, its partner communities and local people. The work that we are now doing is focused on providing data, information, maps and other things that will support the continuation of Ji-ganawendamang Gidakiiminaan.

Pimachiowin Aki Guardians are the eyes and ears of Pimachiowin Aki. How does this project enhance their work?

Guardians can only cover a small area each year. The project immensely expands the area where information is obtained and can prioritize areas that we should go to get more information.

How are Pimachiowin Aki Guardians and Elders involved?

Land use information from Guardians and Elders is extremely important for cultural and natural features mapping, such as where are the best places to go to find certain plants and animals, where are notable culture features and sites located (e.g., petroforms, meeting areas, hunting areas, wild rice plantings, controlled burns, spiritually significant areas). We hope that the information that is passed on will contribute to maintaining the memories of the people and communities.

One of two drones that ECOSTEM is using to collect photos and video in Pimachiowin Aki.

What will data you collect tell us about Pimachiowin Aki now and over time?

Most fundamentally, it will tell us what vegetation, wetlands, landforms, waterways, etc. occur within Pimachiowin Aki at a much higher level of accuracy and detail than is available now. It will also:

Show a local person new places where they could to go to find things that they want to gather or hunt
Identify important habitats for species of high interest such as caribou, moose, and sturgeon
Aid in making reliable predictions about species that are important to local people or conservation
Contribute to safeguarding and recovering species of conservation concern within Pimachiowin Aki. Examples: data may result in expanded woodland caribou research and opportunities to research lake sturgeon
Detect and monitor the spread of invasive species
Show people how their traplines have been affected by wildfire
Identify areas that were burned more severely than usually happens—vegetation recovery may be limited, and it could be evidence that important, adverse climate change effects are happening in Pimachiowin Aki
Help us study how Pimachiowin Aki is responding to climate change
Show us areas that store the most carbon, areas that are most susceptible to releasing greenhouse gases as the climate warms, and the best places to do climate research
Inform us if climate change is making fire effects worse, which has future consequences for what will be found on the land and in the water
Contribute to fulfilling UNESCO World Heritage monitoring requirements

How exactly do you collect information for the maps?

We collect information in two ways. We get information for the entire site from satellite imagery and information that has been created by others (e.g., elevations). We go out on the land and water in Pimachiowin Aki and take photos and notes. Sometimes we do this from planes and other times while boating or walking. While on the land, we collect plot samples and use drones to collect photos and video.

Flying the drone where the east side road meets Bloodvein River.

What is plot sampling and how is it done?

We collect habitat data in plots, sometimes with a community member and sometimes on our own. For our work so far, this has been a 40 by 40 metre square plot. Within this plot, staff collect plant, vegetation, soils and environmental data. A botanist collects plant and vegetation data by walking through the plot and recording what they see. A soil specialist collects soil data by first digging a narrow hole about 50 cm deep, then using an auger to go down to about 100 cm and pull up material that is examined and used to describe soil conditions.

We try to leave no trace that we were there. When we’re done, we fill the hole and replace the surface ‘divot’ that was carefully removed before digging the hole.

Why has the drone collected more photos than videos?

We focused on photos because we expected that they would be more useful for creating the habitat map for the entire site. An advantage of photos is that they can be ‘stitched’ together to create an image that shows a much larger area. The stitched image from the drone is more magnified than Google Earth. We may lean more towards video when documenting cultural features along waterways or habitats for species that are especially important to local people.

How does monitoring a habitat make it possible to reliably monitor a species?

A species’ habitat is the most important thing that determines how many individuals of that species can exist within Pimachiowin Aki, and where they are likely to be found.

Using moose as an example, areas that have burned in the past five to 15 years tend to provide considerably more moose food per hectare than other areas. If the proportion of Pimachiowin Aki area that has burned in the past five to 15 years goes up, the number of moose can also increase.

Using sturgeon as an example, this species has very specialized conditions for spawning. By mapping spawning conditions, we can identify areas that should not be disturbed by human activities. We can also use the mapping to identify locations that are good candidates for restoring suitable sturgeon spawning conditions.

See our infographic to learn more about how forest fires affect moose

Learn how to identify and protect lake sturgeon

How close do the drones get to wildlife and people?

Manitoba wildlife regulations prohibit harassing wildlife, so we maintain the distance needed to avoid that, which varies with species and individuals. If we saw behaviours indicating an animal was being disturbed, we would quickly move further away. Our drones are very quiet and with the cameras we use, we don’t need to get close to an animal to see it in high detail.

We don’t intentionally get close enough to identify a person unless they have provided their consent.

What excites you most about the project?

I’m very excited by the amount of detail that can be obtained with a drone. We can create 3D images of an area, which will be very impressive for things such as depicting cultural or natural features on waterways.

When will the map be complete and where can I find it?

The map should be complete in 2023, following another field season in 2022. ECOSTEM holds the data and information for the map in trust for the Pimachiowin Aki communities. Because the map and derived products contain confidential information that belongs to the communities, they may only be used with the express and prior permission of the communities.

Photos: ECOSTEM