S2 |Rewind Design| E12 Georgian Bay Biosphere - Mnidoo Gamii with Katrina + Tianna
Katrina Krievins
Aquatic Conservation Programs Manager
Tianna Burke
Lands & Wildlife Programs Manager
Today’s episode of the Rewind Design Podcast is being brought to you by the ThinkBoyd Real Estate Team. The Team of Nicole and Geoff believe that buying or selling real estate is more than just a transaction – it’s a connection that should feel like working with family. For their local perspective and sage advice, If you’re thinking of buying or selling, think Boyd. Part of Royal LePage Team Advantage, Realty Brokerage Inc. Think Boyd Real Estate Team.
Welcome to Episode 12 of Rewind Design Season 2! If you are brand new to this podcast, welcome! My name is Katy McNabb and I am a registered Interior Designer working in Ontario’s Cottage Country. I am on a mission to share sustainable ways of building, promote green energy and document the history of the Cottage Country.
In today's episode of the Rewind Design podcast, we welcome experts Katrina Krievins and Tianna Burke from the Georgian Bay Biosphere for an intriguing conversation on ecology, conservation, and sustainable living. This compelling episode examines various topics like the impact of cottage construction on the environment and the importance of adopting sustainable building practices, shedding light on the organization's initiatives and programs.
IN THIS WEEK’S EPISODE WE DISCUSS:
'State of the Bay' report - an effort encapsulating changes in the Eastern Georgian Bay's environment.
We discuss the need to respect the land and learn about helpful tools such as the Biosphere Habitat Screening Tool and the Life on the Bay Guide that encourage mindful construction practices.
Balance between respecting natural habitats and developing Georgian Bay properties
LISTEN TO OUR INTERVIEW BELOW!
Questions for Katrina + Tianna!
What is your education and background?
Katrina: Aquatic Conservation Programs Manager
I have been with the organization since 2016. In my time with GBB, I have played a key role with the State of the Bay program, gathering research about water, wetlands, fisheries, and habitats in this unique landscape, and sharing it with people who care about Georgian Bay. I hold an MS and BA (Brock), as well as a Graduate Certificate in Ecosystem Restoration (Niagara College). I love fishing, paddling, and swimming and strive to play a part in helping people better understand and appreciate these complex systems.
Tianna: Lands & Wildlife Programs Manager
I have been part of the team since 2017 and am now the Lands and Wildlife Programs Manager. I did my Bachelor of Environmental Studies at the University of Waterloo and a Master’s of Science at Trent University studying the at-risk Bank Swallow and managing a long-term Saw-Whet Owl banding station! During my spare time I am usually found outside gardening and caring for my homestead where we strive to live as sustainably as we can .
GBB TEAM!
From across Ontario, the team comes together to form a united front to protect the Georgian Bay Biosphere.
Question for Katrina!
Have you always been interested in conservation and the environment?
KK For as long as I can remember I’ve always loved animals, nature, and being in and around the water. I credit growing up spending time at the family cottage in Rosseau for nurturing this passion. I know now, as an adult, how privileged I was to have that opportunity and I am very grateful for it. I suppose I knew from a fairly young age that I wanted to end up in the environmental field, I just wasn’t quite sure how to get there or what to focus on. I believe that my education and experiences like volunteering eventually led me to where I am today, and I couldn’t be happier!
Why do you love working for the GBB?
KK People and place. I love the team that I am a part of at GBB, the community that we fit within, and the partners and connections that have, and continue to be made beyond this community. Place is an obvious one, it’s hard not to fall in love with this landscape, the waters, and the critters that call them home. I know I am very privileged to live and work in such a special place, the fact that this is my home still amazes me on a regular basis. It’s fulfilling to work for GBB knowing that I play a small part in helping others to learn about this unique part of the world and how their actions can make a difference in ensuring it stays special and awe-inspiring for future generations.
As Aquatic Conservation Programs Manager, what are your main responsibilities?
KK As my title suggests, my role at the biosphere is focused on our aquatics-related programs which includes things like water quality and fisheries related work, as well as the State of the Bay program. But, of course, with a mandate as broad as GBB’s, my work goes beyond just aquatics and into other areas as well. That’s one of the great things about working for a not-for-profit with such a broad range of programs, you get a lot of variety in your work!
KATRINA IN HER ELEMENT!
Question for Tianna!
Have you always been interested in conservation and the environment?
TB I have! Some of my earliest memories are feeding chickadees and chipmunks at my Grandparents cottage and being hands deep in dirt helping my Nonno garden vegetables. I believe these experiences helped foster my love of the outdoors, however it wasn’t really until high-school that I learnt this could be a career path. Once I began to learn about how all these natural systems work together and tie into food security, human physical and mental health, sense of place, climate change, basically everything…I was hooked. I could talk for hours about bird watching alone!
Why do you love working for the GBB?
TB Working for GBB has allowed my love of science, conservation, communication, and education to come full circle. The benefit of working for a not-for-profit is extending your skills past your program area, so we are always helping and learning from other teams too! When it comes to science and conservation, I love that this work is really hands on, has the opportunity to create some amazing partnerships with brilliant researchers, and asks questions that can one day inform management practices for wildlife (like how can we keep snakes off roads? Or how can construction and turtles co-exist?). I also enjoy working with people who may not normally get to see or interact with wildlife and experience their perception of species change, especially species who are often perceived as threatening. Being able to see behaviours and perceptions shift is highly rewarding as this has the ability to trickle through the generations, into workplaces, and into everyday life, which can make a significant positive change for wildlife.
As Lands & Wildlife Programs Manager, what are your main responsibilities?
TB My main responsibilities at the GBB focus on overseeing the Lands and Wildlife program areas which, while constantly evolving, include things like species monitoring programs and field work, the turtle incubation program, developing research opportunities and partnerships, supporting Indigenous Knowledges and cultural protocols, and providing Best Management Practices training for the local townships and communities. My program area also supports citizen science activities, communicating science to the public, and providing opportunities for outreach and education related to flora and fauna.
TIANNA IN HER ELEMENT!
State of the Bay Report
Can you speak to the state of the bay report and your role in this document?
KK. The State of the Bay is one of GBB’s ongoing program areas. Since 2008, the State of the Bay program has been working to bring together multiple sources of information to communicate environmental changes in eastern Georgian Bay. What most people are familiar with is the ecosystem health report we produce every five years that seeks to answer the question - what IS the state of the Bay? Are things getting better, getting worse, or staying the same?
KK Every five years we report on the condition and trend of several ecosystem health indicators including water quality, fish communities, coastal wetlands, and more. The reporting happens in several ways. First, we produce a technical report with all of the nitty gritty details. Second, we produce a public-friendly magazine that communicates the key messages from the technical report but is written for a general or non-technical audience - these magazines are distributed up and down the coast for folks to pick up for free. Third, we update the State of the Bay website (stateofthebay.ca) where both the technical report and magazine are available for download.
KK I’ve been fortunate to be involved with the State of the Bay program since I started with the Biosphere back in 2016. When I started out I was primarily focused on researching and writing the 2018 technical report. This time around I took on the role of managing the program and was involved in all aspects of the program including writing some of the magazine content, coordinating with project partners, and much more.
Who did the GBB work with for the report? (water, fisheries, wetlands etc)
KK There are numerous partners and individuals who have contributed to and shaped the State of the Bay program over the years. Most of the information we’re reporting on in the State of the Bay is actually gathered by other organizations, communities, and agencies, not GBB itself. Our role is more about bringing together all of the different information, summarizing it, and presenting it in a way that is understandable and meaningful for the public. We’re fortunate that our partners are so willing to share their work and their knowledge and expertise. If you’ve had a chance to flip through the magazine you’ll know that we were also extremely fortunate to have contributions from Elders, Knowledge Holders, and talented Indigenous artists from across the region. Simply put, these reports would not be possible without the contributions from all of these individuals and groups. There’s far too many to name here without leaving anyone out so I’d encourage folks to read the magazine to see for yourself.
GBB - MNIDOO GAMII WORKS TO PROTECT GEORGIAN BAY
And tons of other initiatives too!
What is the goal of the state of the bay and how often is it released?
KK The goals of the SOTB program are to:
Communicate the condition/health of the Georgian Bay Biosphere region as informed by multiple knowledges;
Bring attention to research needs and knowledge gaps and actively pursue ways to fill those needs and gaps;
Inspire stewardship action (caretaking, protecting, restoring, enhancing); and
Showcase the work of partners.
The technical report and magazine are released every five years, along with a website update.
What were the main findings of the document? In regards to: Climate change, Waste Reduction, Ecosystems
KK Some of the high level findings or key messages of the report are that:
Eastern Georgian Bay faces many of the same threats as other areas of the Great Lakes including invasive species, climate change, and development pressures, and all of these threats interact in complex ways. Climate change, for example, exacerbates other issues like invasive species.
Trying to summarize the overall health of eastern Georgian Bay is actually really challenging due to regional differences, for example differences in walleye populations in one area of the Bay versus another, as well as varying trends across environmental indicators, for example some indicators might be in good condition or show an improving trend while others are in poor condition or showing a deteriorating trend.
There are so many organizations and communities along the coast working hard to research, monitor, protect, and take care of eastern Georgian Bay, and it’s important to acknowledge and celebrate these efforts, and individuals can help too! People can become citizen scientists monitoring water quality, recording and reporting native and invasive species, or supporting the efforts of groups doing this caretaking work.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Take a look at https://georgianbaybiosphere.com/donate/ for more info!
How can cottagers take action on climate change?
push for policies
active transportation
choose cleaner energy
be energy efficient
reduce waste
plant trees
for more information, visit www.georgianbaybiosphere.com/climate-resources
How can listeners/cottagers get involved?
Become a Biosphere Member
Donate online as any amount has a huge impact!
Your business/organization could sponsor one of our programs
Subscribe to our monthly e-newsletter at the bottom of our webpage
Dedicate securities or a legacy as a powerful gift for the future
Support our Native Plant fundraiser every June
Shop for Biosphere swag to show your support
Join us at events & share what you learn with others!
THANK YOU KATRINA + TIANNA!
What a pleasure it was to meet and interview you!
Today’s episode was brought to you by the ThinkBoyd Real Estate Team. The Team of Nicole and Geoff believe that buying or selling real estate is more than just a transaction – it’s a connection that should feel like working with family. For their local perspective and sage advice, If you’re thinking of buying or selling, think Boyd. Part of Royal LePage Team Advantage, Realty Brokerage Inc. Think Boyd Real Estate Team.
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