The Kespukwitk Conservation Showcase took place on November 9^th, 2022, at White Point Beach Resort, with 145 participants joining to celebrate the stewardship work occurring in the Kespukwitk/Southwest Nova Scotia Priority Place, one of eleven designated places across Canada for the conservation of Species at Risk (SAR). The Mersey Tobeatic Research Institute and Environment and Climate Change Canada were pleased to host the Showcase, on behalf of the Kespukwitk Conservation Collaborative, with additional funding from the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Renewables and the Region of Queens Community Investment Fund.

The Showcase highlighted the importance of connections—to place and to the diverse species and ecosystems in Kespukwitk—and the work that this inspires. The day was opened by Melissa Labrador and her two children, followed by a keynote from Ursula Johnson on Miꞌkmawiꞌsimk, the Mi’kmaq language, and the concept of L’nu. The array of presentations included topics ranging from connectivity and wetlands to prioritization approaches and engagement focused on invasive species and stewardship in agricultural landscapes. The day ended with an evening poster session and a series of presentations on community science and volunteer opportunities at the Community Science Showcase. Key themes are shown in a graphic recording created by graphic facilitator Libby Dean.

The Showcase brought together passionate individuals and organizations and highlighted some of the incredible conservation work taking place in Kespukwitk. If you were not able to attend, recordings of both presentations and posters can be found on the Mersey Tobeatic Research Institute’s YouTube page (view recorded talks here). Thank you to all who attended, took part, and contributed; this event would not have been possible without you! 

Alysha Griffin (she/her)
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Communication and Municipal Outreach Coordinator
Mersey Tobeatic Research Institute (MTRI)