The Madawaska Highlands

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Overview

The Madawaska Highlands are one of the few last remaining wild spaces in Eastern Ontario. They are located between Algonquin Park and Adirondacks Park on the ancestral home of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg Peoples. The Madawaska Highlands area migratory pathway for species between the two parks, providing species at risk safe passage during their migrations. Old-growth and mature forests and wetlands can be found across the highlands. These vulnerable ecosystems are home to 42 species at risk. But the Madawaska Highlands also play a critical role to communities. They are a haven for outdoor enthusiasts year-round to experience the wonders of nature while canoeing, kayaking, and camping. Unfortunately, only 4.59% of the Madawaska Highlands are protected. Resource extraction and development threaten to destroy the habitat so many species at risk depend on for survival. We’re fighting for a major new protected area in the region covering at least 30% of the Madawaska Highlands. The existence of several small, protected areas in the region provides a unique opportunity to consolidate and expand these areas with the eventual goal of having one large protected area to support climate action, flood mitigation, species at risk to thrive, and our communities’ well-being.

Camping

What we are doing about it

An important step in the fight to protect an area of land or water is to complete diligent field work, collecting data to build a case supporting the importance of the area and the need to protect it. In an effort to categorize the biodiversity of the Madawaska Highlands, CPAWS OV ran a series of bioblitz events over the summer of 2024.

What is a bioblitz?

A bioblitz is an event where scientists, naturalists, and volunteers come together to document all the living species within a specific area over a short period, typically 24 hours. It’s a fast-paced, collaborative effort that combines fieldwork, education, and citizen science to create a snapshot of the area’s biodiversity. Participants use various tools and methods to identify and record plants, animals, fungi, and other organisms, contributing valuable data for conservation and research. It’s also a great way to engage the community and raise awareness about local ecosystems and their importance.

Throughout our series of 3 bioblitzes, we were able to document hundreds of organisms, including over 100 mushroom and fungi, one of which appears on the IUCN list of species at risk. This process has been an important initial step in painting a more complete picture of the region and why its protection is vital. We hope to complete more bioblitz events in the future, so keep an eye out for upcoming events!

Did you know?

  • The Madawaska Highlands are located between Algonquin Park and Adirondacks Park, regions many animals travel between for migration, food, and trying to adapt to climate change.
  • Over 80% of Canadians now live in urban centres, making it difficult to access intact nature, and with one in five Canadians experiencing a mental health issue by the age of 40, connecting people to wilderness is critical to supporting our well-being. Protecting the Madawaska Highlands not only benefits species, biodiversity, and climate action, but provides the Ottawa Valley with accessible nature to support our mental well-being.
  • The vast forests and wetlands in the Madawaska Highlands area critical carbon sink in the Ottawa Valley, meaning they absorb a significant amount of carbon from the atmosphere to mitigate climate change.
  • The intact forests and wetlands in the Madawaska Highlands also act as storage for floodwater, slowing down the run-off towards lakes and rivers. Further, protecting the Madawaska Highlands will help mitigate flood risks to nearby residents

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