KBAs visited: 44

Let’s get to know each other.

Hey! I’m Kevin.

Full disclosure off the top: Sometimes I’m a little existential. When the lights go down at the end of the day, it’s very common for me to think about life, death, and all the big intense stuff. Well, when I’m living a life that feels connected to my inner compass, I feel a heck of a lot better about that intense stuff than when I’m not quite so aligned. So this begs the question: What does my compass tell me? Things change all the time, but here are a few common themes:

First of all, something that’s always been non-negotiable for me is physical activity. I’m happiest when moving, and calmest in nature.

Mr. Compass also demands that I share my personality. I sometimes joke that I’m like one of those dogs that fails out of police dog school because they’re too silly. If there’s anything that rivals the satisfaction I get from exercise, it’s a little playful banter.

The last piece is more serious. When it’s all said and done, I want to look back and say I gave it a decent effort to make the world a tiny bit better.

As I’ve learned these things about myself, I’ve continuously soul-searched to see if there might be a way to merge my values into a unified lifestyle. And that’s what led me to the Biodiversity Bikeride!

I talk a lot about how I would “go in blind” when entering the boundaries of a new KBA. There was very little way for me to know what the area would look like in person. This was especially true for KBA #27, Spring Creek. Spring Creek was the first KBA I visited that had boundaries that were deliberately obscured, a strategy employed by experts in a handful of cases to protect sensitive species. The boundaries of these sensitive KBAs are represented with a circle that tells you roughly where the KBA is, but nothing beyond that.

Even though I had little to go off of, and no idea where the most interesting section within the KBA would be, I cycled over from KBA #26 (two in one day, wowie!) to check things out. I figured I should aim for the centre of the circle just in case. When I did, nothing really stood out to me. Please enjoy my best guesses of potential habitats of interest! 🤭🫶

The site of this KBA is a native prairie remnant that is privately owned by a landowner who is apparently very committed to protecting this native species. A conservation easement has been signed, which is a voluntary legal agreement between landowners and conservation organizations with the purpose of protecting natural features.

The only clue about this KBA is that groundwater hydrology - the underground movement of water - is critical to the existence of the sensitive species in question.

Any guesses??

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@wcs.canada
@birds.canada
@natureserveorg
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When I visited certain key biodiversity areas, it blew my mind to ponder how they were identified in the first place. Yes, KBAs can be “nominated” by anyone (including locals), but they nevertheless seem impressive to find.

KBA #26, Rounthwaite Five Mile Creek, is an incredibly small site, just 0.16km^2, and is nearly impossible to distinguish from other land as an amateur, unless you were looking for it. As a cyclist, I got funny looks of curiosity everywhere I went, but I must have looked extra silly as I went back and forth and back again along Treesbank Road southeast of Brandon, looking for any discernible feature that would signal a KBA. Not that anyone would’ve noticed my strange behaviour; there weren’t many cars passing in this area.

When I finally figured out I was in the right place, I realized the small pond that appears divided by the road on maps is hidden by tall grasses on either side.

The site of this KBA is an isolated prairie remnant, an area of grasslands that remains less disturbed by settler contact than most other lands. These areas are increasingly threatened in modern times from a variety of forces.

In order to protect one of the two trigger species of this key biodiversity area, experts denoted it as “a sensitive species” with no further public information. Rough Agalinis is the other species.

#BiodiversityBikeride #KeyBiodiversityAreas #Biodiversity #Nature #Adventure #Conservation #Fundraiser #AdventureWithPurpose
@wcs.canada
@birds.canada
@natureserveorg
@kbacanada

Manitoba! As always, I got that feeling of novelty that washes over you when you cross a border. It’s largely symbolic, but it made me tune in to the small differences that emerge between places. It’s also incredible to think that so much has happened there, and you’re just walking (biking) along behind. Neato.

Ridiculous sunset to start as I camped by the Canada Post in Medora, MB. I swear, sunsets were preposterously beautiful the entire way across Canada. I never got tired of it, of course. This one was particularly magical.

In the morning, the wind whipped up strongly as a random assortment of gusts came from all directions. This was hard to brace against, and it even threw me into the road once or twice if I recall.

A bumpy gravel road took me toward the KBA (if you’ve been reading my posts, you’ll notice a pattern). KBA #25, Whitewater Lake, didn’t have any obvious beaches, platforms, or information posted as I arrived from the west. I found out later that in some places, viewing platforms had been washed away by record water levels.

Because of the incredibly flat terrain, the fact that I couldn’t get very close, and the dense lakeside foliage, I was hardly able to see the lake at all! To get there, I followed bumpy atv tracks that were overgrown with vegetation. This vegetation had two tricks up its sleeve: 1) housing 2.3 gazillion insect critters that dive-bombed me when I cycled through (smack! ow! ahhh! stop!) and 2) concealing a ball-busting pothole or two. (oof!)

As a major area for waterfowl and shorebirds during migrations, Whitewater Lake’s KBA status is triggered by ten different bird species! One key characteristic it has is drought. It can go completely dry for the better part of a decade, such as in the 1930s and 1980s. It is susceptible to botulism outbreaks, which are partially related to water levels and rotting vegetation. It paralyses and kills birds it infects. For instance, 116,000 waterfowl and other waterbirds died in an outbreak in 1996.

#BiodiversityBikeride #KeyBiodiversityAreas #Biodiversity #Nature #Adventure #Conservation #Fundraiser #AdventureWithPurpose
@wcs.canada
@birds.canada
@natureserveorg
@kbacanada

The star species of KBA #24, Buffalograss Grasslands, is in the name. With a whopping 30% of its Canadian population existing in this location, the potential impact of nearby threats on Buffalograss are felt strongly. Just a few of these threats include coal mining, agricultural activities, and expanding urban development from the nearby town of Estevan.

Perhaps one of the most interesting threats to Buffalograss is invasive species, a challenge that shines a light on the complexity of nature and conservation efforts. A core section of Buffalograss within the larger KBA has been established as an ecological reserve, and has been protected by a fence since 1981. While it makes intuitive sense to keep threats out, the fence has potentially caused unintended harm. When grazing was unrestricted by barriers, Buffalograss was very hardy and resilient compared with its neighbour, Kentucky Bluegrass. Now that grazing been prevented, Kentucky Bluegrass appears to be outcompeting Buffalograss.

This highlights the need for an intimate understanding of the various forces at play in each KBA or protected area, and customized conservation strategies that are uniquely tailored to those forces.

#BiodiversityBikeride #KeyBiodiversityAreas #Biodiversity #Nature #Adventure #Conservation #Fundraiser #AdventureWithPurpose
@wcs.canada
@birds.canada
@natureserveorg
@kbacanada

The name of the game: speed. I had a visitor to meet soon, and with KBAs and lots of kms to go, I had to pick up the pace. I blasted in and out of Saskatoon, briefly hiding in a Hanley gas station while a afternoon thunderstorm passed. At night I found a gross, muddy road to camp on, admiring the cloud formations developing. This time I couldn’t hide inside from the lightning. It was a bit freaky to not know where they would pass, especially since there is no way to hide when you’re tenting.

Anyways, speed. The next day I was confronted with a stretch of road with construction work, reducing much of it to loose sand and gravel. At times it was difficult to keep forward momentum at all, let alone maintain speed. I had been advised to avoid the road but decided a detour would slow me down too much. This stretch might have ordinarily taken half an hour, but was probably 3x that.

My broken pannier tumbled off 3 times that day. It was lucky the other clips stayed in tact or I would’ve been hitchhiking. Speed was not happening.

If lands could win awards for their importance, then KBA #23, Last Mountain Lake National Wildlife Area, would be in the Canadian Hall of Fame. Some of the earliest modern protections date to the 1880s when portions were purchased and reserved. Now, it is protected under Migratory Bird Sanctuary and National Wildlife Area regulations and it’s also a key site under the International Biological Program, a Ramsar wetlands site, a National Historic Site, and a Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve.

Only natural when hundreds of thousands of birds use the area for staging (stopping for food, water, etc.). In spite of this, only 55% of the KBA is protected, and it still faces numerous threats, including nearby drainage of wetlands for agriculture (some legal, some not) and agriculture-related chemical use (e.g., pesticides, herbicies, etc.) among others.

#BiodiversityBikeride #KeyBiodiversityAreas #Biodiversity #Nature #Adventure #Conservation #Fundraiser #AdventureWithPurpose
@wcs.canada
@birds.canada
@natureserveorg
@kbacanada

On August 13th, I got up earlier than usual and rode during sunrise to get to KBA #22, Dundurn Sandhills and CFB Dundurn. Wind-induced tears aside, biking early was a great way to wake up. No coffee needed (yet).

I turned off the highway and onto a gravel road and followed it toward green horizons. Sandhill KBAs, I came to realize, were also some of the relatively few places with diverse mixes of trees and other foliage in the prairies, especially in Saskatchewan.

I’ve said it before, but actually finding the species that designates an area as a KBA is often quite difficult, especially if you’re not trained in where to look. I am often asked what species I found, and I usually respond with a laugh that I didn’t find very many. There’s something about the gamification of these KBAs with their precise boundaries that made it feel like I would be greeted at the gate by rare and amazing species. But of course they have better things to do. In this case, three of the four trigger species for Dundurn Sandhills have estimated populations of one! Rare indeed. It’s no wonder I had little luck seeing these sneaky guys.

Thankfully I didn’t have too much of my self esteem bound up in my nature hunting skills. I’m more of a “looking around in awe” kind of guy.

I had a long day ahead of me so I couldn’t stay too long, but I ALWAYS made time to walk around in the KBA and soak it all in. A major love of mine has always been nature (no kidding) so it was important for me to pause and soak in the beauty of the place and the unique importance of the ecosystem no matter what.

With the sun glowing over the sandhills as I took my pause, I was deeply thankful for the moment.

Ps- Bumpy washboard gravel roads can fuck off. 🫶

#BiodiversityBikeride #KeyBiodiversityAreas #Biodiversity #Nature #Adventure #Conservation #Fundraiser #AdventureWithPurpose
@wcs.canada
@birds.canada
@natureserveorg
@kbacanada

Your eyes might deceive you if you visit KBA #21, Reed Lake. Salt deposits on the shore of this lake give the impression of snow and ice. If you’re unsure if you’re looking at salt or snow, carefully check to see if it’s hot as the pits of hell (like it was when I was there). If it is, there’s a decent chance you’re enjoying the view of a saline lake.

Salt lakes are formed by high evaporation rates and restricted water outflow. Despite its higher density and viscosity compared with ordinary lakes, tens of thousands of waterfowl and shorebirds rely on Reed Lake for support every year!

The last pic is not from Reed Lake, but a dramatic nearby example of salt deposits. Water flow is important in these ecosystems, as increasing salinity not only makes movement in the water more difficult (through higher viscosity), but it also may impact food availability. Among other threats, droughts are of concern with worsening global warming and climate change.

#BiodiversityBikeride #KeyBiodiversityAreas #Biodiversity #Nature #Adventure #Conservation #Fundraiser #AdventureWithPurpose
@wcs.canada
@birds.canada
@natureserveorg
@kbacanada

There are literally thousands of species in KBA #20, Grasslands National Park and Area. That’s what biodiversity is all about!

As its name suggests, the KBA is made up of the National Park and surrounding lands, and is governed by Parks Canada and the South of the Divide Conservation Action Program. Together, the government, ranchers, pasture managers, and Indigenous peoples collaborate to manage the land that is highly unique, being home to at least 30 COSEWIC “at risk” species. COSEWIC, if you’re unfamiliar, is the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada.

Ideally, conservation actions would not focus on isolated habitats. To use a simple example, it does no good to protect a single tree with a bird’s nest in it. You need to protect the whole forest. KBAs aren’t the only areas of importance. Just as important are migratory pathways and surrounding wildlife in all its forms. That’s why it’s significant that Parks Canada has continued to purchase surrounding lands since establishing the National Park in 1981. With greater protection for the land comes greater flourishing of the wildlife that calls it home.

This is biodiversity!!

#BiodiversityBikeride #KeyBiodiversityAreas #Biodiversity #Nature #Adventure #Conservation #Fundraiser #AdventureWithPurpose
@wcs.canada
@birds.canada
@natureserveorg
@kbacanada

You might wonder what the best way to connect with nature is. Of course there is no single answer that is true, but it seems that I’ve personally developed a habit of napping in beautiful places. No regrets. Seriously, has anyone studied that? Why is it VASTLY more restful than napping indoors? Anyways, I hit the ground pretty quickly after arriving at KBA#19, Webb Sandhills.

Though sandhill KBAs support similar species and have common visual elements, meandering along rolling ATV tracks never got old. It was comforting to be totally alone and free from watchful eyes who might have thought I was a suspicious figure (they probably had no such thoughts, but it felt that way sometimes).

When I finished napping, exploring, and basking in the dreamy golden grasses, I found I had a surprise flat tire, despite having no issues on the way in. No kidding. By that point in the trip, I had become accustomed to having flat tires almost daily. I became efficient at patching my tubes, but there’s only so much a tire can do when it gets five or more patches on it. By this point, I was beginning to feel like I was riding on wheels that were more patch than tube.

Frankly, I couldn’t wait to get to Swift Current later that evening, the first major city for me since Alberta. I was still riding with crooked handlebars I had acquired from a crash near the Rockies, and aside from various bike tune-ups I sorely needed, I had begun to need a break from daily riding. I absolutely beamed throughout my couple of days in SC. Why? Virtually every person I met there (and during the week or so beforehand) was genuinely kind and open. Friendships were made easily and generous gifts were given freely. I even stayed at a couple of new friends’ homes! This was true throughout the trip, but I really lucked out for a couple of heartwarming days. Shoutout to Swift Current & area ❤️

#BiodiversityBikeride #KeyBiodiversityAreas #Biodiversity #Nature #Adventure #Conservation #Fundraiser #AdventureWithPurpose
@wcs.canada
@birds.canada
@natureserveorg
@kbacanada

When I set out on this journey, I’ll be honest: I had much to learn about why raising awareness of key biodiversity areas would be important. However, a new level of understanding clicked in when I visited my 18th KBA, Cramersburg Sandhills.

Even before I turned off the main road that was dotted with sparse small villages, I was already aware that this KBA was not very well-known. In fact, when I spoke to an outdoorsy local the night before and told him about the Biodiversity Bikeride, he was eager to share recommendations of wildlife hotspots nearby, but he hadn’t heard of the Sandhills in question. And after I turned off that main road and cycled for an hour and a half down a loose gravel road and still hadn’t arrived, I knew more concretely how isolated this land was.

There was something about being there in person and pushing ever further away from concentrated hubs of civilization that made me think. The land I was headed to, that was so critically important, could be easily overlooked, forgotten, or remain unknown. If a Key Biodiversity Area’s value is not recognized, the distinction of “key” loses its meaning. Far from any road, away from the eyes of the public, it’s at least conceivable that the Cramersburg Sandhills could be lost, if not for greater awareness of its importance specifically, and of biodiversity more generally.

The sandhills in the prairie provinces that are identified as KBAs formed when the Laurentide Ice Sheet, which at one point covered most of what is now Canada, melted to form vast lakes. Eventually those lakes drained away and left sandhills - vital ecosystems that have worryingly declined dramatically over the last 50 years.

This is biodiversity.

#BiodiversityBikeride #KeyBiodiversityAreas #Biodiversity #Nature #Adventure #Conservation #Fundraiser #AdventureWithPurpose
@wcs.canada
@birds.canada
@natureserveorg
@kbacanada

I remember KBA #17, Tunstall Sandhills, in part as the early days of my acquaintance with headwinds, which for weeks challenged me seemingly independent of the direction I was heading. North? Headwinds. South? Headwinds. I made crawling, frustrating progress along Hwy 1 as I headed West from Maple Creek, the only major town for hours of cycling in any direction. Leaving places with grocery stores or gas stations often felt like a bit of a leap into the unknown, especially without knowing when the next opportunity to get water would come.

The gag-inducing stench of dozens of livestock trucks, along with the depressing visual of hundreds of animals being driven to their bloody deaths, had me in a miserable mood by the time I finally turned off the highway onto the gravel road that would take me to the Tunstall Sandhills.

This day - frustrating, hot, and windy as it was - turned around as I climbed an insidiously gradual prairie hill and enjoyed a long and deserved descent into the evening, the heat subsiding. This road was remote even by prairie standards - I went hours without seeing anyone drive by.

I enjoyed one of the more beautiful sunsets and nights of my trip, genuinely nourishing my spirit. I sat in the dirt and watched the glowing red sunset, thinking about how silly all of life’s problems are when put in perspective against the frailty of our existence and the beauty around us. The stuff we all know but too often fail to remember. Like how we’ll all have our last sunset one day, and in a hundred years our lives will likely be forgotten. So faced with the meaninglessness of it all, we might as well try to love deeply and do some good during our brief visit.

This KBA is home to the usual suspects of sandhill KBAs: Dusky Dune Moth, Gold-edged Gem Moth, Ord’s Kangaroo Rat, and Spiny Milk-vetch.

#BiodiversityBikeride #KeyBiodiversityAreas #Biodiversity #Nature #Adventure #Conservation #Fundraiser #AdventureWithPurpose
@wcs.canada
@birds.canada
@natureserveorg
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KBA #16, Burstall Sandhills, is home to at least five dune-dependent species. This basically means they’re fussy and won’t go anywhere unless they’re chilling in sand. Honestly, respect. Go off, friends!

When I tell people about my journey, I’m often asked about whether I felt safe, or if I had any scary animal encounters. And generally I did feel safe, but on this day the cows were a little suspicious of intruders. One group said “aw hell no” and went for a jog. And a few made me question the efficacy of cattle guards. I’ve never seen one tested, but for a moment I thought I might.

Sandhills are highly dynamic environments, influenced both by winds and by the species living in them. One of these species is the Ord’s Kangaroo Rat, which burrows seeds underground, impacting the seed storage system underground as well as plant distribution. Here’s a fun challenge: google Ord’s Kangaroo Rat and try not to saw “aww 🥺”. I bet you can’t.

#BiodiversityBikeride #KeyBiodiversityAreas #Biodiversity #Nature #Adventure #Conservation #Fundraiser #AdventureWithPurpose
@wcs.canada
@birds.canada
@natureserveorg
@kbacanada

Hey folks!

Guess what? About a week ago I arrived in Toronto!!

As you know, I’ve been making my way across Canada since June, experiencing the most important areas for biodiversity conservation in the country.

From here, I’ll be flying home for the winter months to avoid freezing into a block, but I’ll be back to bike across Ontario and the East of Canada before long!

During my break, I’ll be sharing more about the experience and the KBAs I’ve visited, so stay tuned!

I will also be keeping my fundraiser open, so if you want to support my efforts, please consider donating to support conservation efforts. (Link in bio)

Much love!! ❤️
Kevin

Trip update: I’ve made it all the way to Toronto!!

Before I go deeper into updates on my soul quenching trip to visit key biodiversity areas across Canada, I want to send some much-deserved love to @om.foods, who played a huge role in fuelling my journey, especially throughout Ontario.

When I first started looking for potential sponsors, I knew that I wanted to focus on healthy, minimally processed, whole plant foods. In addition to that, I wanted to focus on organic foods. This is because while it’s hard to eat organic 100% of the time, most people would agree that it’s still a no-brainer in terms of being a healthy option that treads lightly on the planet.

The challenge, however, is the cost. Organic food is often expensive, and this holds us back from nourishing ourselves with the best possible foods. Organic Matters puts affordability at the heart their mission, as they strive to offer healthy food that doesn’t break the bank. They do this by keeping things simple: cutting out middle men in their supply chain, relying on word of mouth for advertising, and minimizing unnecessary packaging.

Check them out online for a wide variety of foods, including various grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, teas and coffees, dried fruit, nut butters, and more!

Thank you @om.foods!!

❤️

#organic #plantbased #sponsor #biodiversitybikeride

The many faces of KBA #15, Dune Point Sandhills!

On a blistering hot day, the detour off of major roads nearly ended me (joking, but it was a toughie!). The longest stretch without water I think I’ve had in the whole trip! This wasn’t helped by the flat tire I had when I finished the hour or so of off-roading into the KBA boundaries. I guess cacti are sharp 😉

Sandhills were a common theme of KBA ecosystems across the prairies, and like many grasslands, they are unfortunately often overlooked as “scrubland” despite the fact that they are critical habitats. Some species, like the Ord’s Kangaroo Rats found here, can only survive longterm in sandhills.

Dune Point Sandhills are not protected (yet), but have well-preserved native grasslands.

#KeyBiodiversityAreas #Biodiversity #Nature #Adventure #Conservation #Fundraiser #AdventureWithPurpose

@wcs.canada
@birds.canada
@natureserveorg
@kbacanada

Little did I know it at the time, but my day peaked at KBA #14, Whitehorse Wildland (located near Jasper, despite its name).

Seriously, look how naive and content I am. Later in the day, I faced big dust clouds from mining trucks, swarms of flies in my face, a crash and associated blood and bike damage, a midnight bear encounter, and lots of F bombs. I’m still cranky about it 😂

Okay, biodiversity: check this out! Porsild’s Bryum is a species of moss that has little pale capsules on it that look like snails or pistachios. Well, this KBA alone contains almost half of the Canadian population of the moss!

Cadomin Cave is a natural limestone cave that is home to at least three bat species, two of which trigger KBA status for the area: Little Brown Myotis and Northern Myotis. Sadly, bat populations across North America have dropped significantly in recent years, in part because of a fungal infection called White Nose Syndrome, which causes bats to exhibit more active behaviour, heating up and burning critical fat reserves that are important for surviving cold temperatures. Little is known about the emergence of the fungus, but research is ongoing. Thankfully the cave is closed to the public in order to reduce the likelihood of transmission from humans to bats.

I hope y’all enjoy my Whitehorse Wildland meandering. ❤️🌱

#BiodiversityBikeride #KeyBiodiversityAreas #Biodiversity #Nature #Adventure #Conservation #Fundraiser #AdventureWithPurpose
@wcs.canada
@birds.canada
@natureserveorg
@kbacanada

Sponsor love!!

Sending my appreciation today to @truegrainbakehouse for supporting the @biodiversitybikeride with loads of delicious organic food… and for making me feel like a superstar 🤩

For 20 years, @truegrainbakehouse has been reconnecting British Columbians with their food, baking with local and organic ancient grains and heritage grains.

And as a British Columbian cycling across the country, they certainly did reconnect me with my food! Thankful to have a heavy bike, bursting at the seams with healthy food these days!

Send @truegrainbakehouse some love, and shop online for coffee, baked goods, grains, seeds, pastas, and flours!

@truegrainbakehouse @truegrainbread

#organic #plantbased #sponsor #biodiversitybikeride

Sponsor love!

Sending some love today to @fieldstoneorganics who have generously contributed to the @biodiversitybikeride by fuelling me with delicious organic lentils and farro!! 😍

Fieldstone is big on providing its customers the healthiest possible products. That means their grains, seeds, and legumes are always in their WHOLE form. Nothing bad added, nothing good taken away. They are also Non-GMO and organic.

As a health conscious guy, I’m always trying to keep things as unprocessed as possible to retain the full nutritional value.

And as a biodiversity advocate, I LOVE that Fieldstone is organic. It means they are committed to sustainable land use that fosters healthy and diverse ecosystems.

Fieldstone sells their whole plant foods both to consumers (online and in many grocery stores) and to businesses (wholesale and commercial sizes). Check them out, and enjoy my mealtime silliness 😋

@fieldstoneorganics

#organic #plantbased #sponsor #biodiversitybikeride

KBA #13, Castleguard Cave, was loud but shy.

Hidden down in a cave that I couldn’t actually see was the Castleguard Cave Stygobromid.

Key Biodiversity Areas are SO important, especially when the entire species lives in literally one place on the planet. If the cave is gone, so is this species.

Thankfully, Castleguard Cave and its inhabitants are fully protected by @parks.canada

*Correction: Castleguard Cave is located in Banff National Park.

#BiodiversityBikeride #KeyBiodiversityAreas #Biodiversity #Nature #Adventure #Conservation #Fundraiser #AdventureWithPurpose
@wcs.canada
@birds.canada
@natureserveorg
@kbacanada

HOT, STEAMY, SMELLY, BIODIVERSITY.

KBA #12 (Banff Thermal Springs) and I shared one of these traits…

Even though I’ve visited Banff before, the scale of the mountains blew me away. After a hard day riding from Calgary to Banff, I ate some ice cream and collapsed next to a garbage can like a true adventurer. When I recovered, I climbed up to Cave and Basin National Historic Site to take in the Springs along a short boardwalk network. I kept daydreaming about what it must have been like to encounter this area before the hoopla of tourism. Still, it bodes well that people from all over the world admire the beauty found here. ❤️

The Banff Thermal Springs are the only home to the Banff Springs Snail, a tiny, adorable little snail that is rare and critically endangered. Its habitat is managed by, and closely monitored by, @parks.canada. One of the main threats is human disturbances in its highly sensitive thermal spring environment which is high in dissolved minerals and low in oxygen.

#Biodiversitybikeride #KeyBiodiversityAreas #Biodiversity #Nature #Adventure #Conservation #Fundraiser #AdventureWithPurpose
@wcs.canada
@birds.canada
@natureserveorg
@kbacanada

This is biodiversity!

KBA #11 was Frank Lake, a constructed wetland around 50 km south of Calgary.

I’m always intrigued by areas that require careful management. These ecosystems show that it’s not enough for lands and waters to be protected from all human involvement.

Poor Frank Lake has gone through some tumultuous times over the past century or so, being prone to both droughts and flooding, and was even used as a landing field for the RCAF in dry times during WWII.

@ducksunlimitedcanada has played a major role in protecting the lake and ensuring it has a steady supply of water. In fact, it has a unique feature you may not expect: a pipeline shunting treated water from a local meat packing plant into the lake. When it comes to filling a vulnerable lake, beggars can’t be choosers!

Current threats include ongoing development pressures nearby. Most notably, solar farm proposals threaten birds who may mistake panels as water and attempt to land on them, and water obligate birds who survive and who can only take off from water.

So far, these proposals have been rejected, protecting one of the top destinations for birders in the prairie provinces.

Thanks to Greg Wagner for giving me a brief history, and for continually showing up for your local gem. #thinkglobalactlocal

#BiodiversityBikeride #KeyBiodiversityAreas #Biodiversity #Nature #Adventure #Conservation #Fundraiser #AdventureWithPurpose
@wcs.canada
@birds.canada
@natureserveorg
@kbacanada

Here I am! Alive! with updates! And honest thoughts about why I think KBAs are rad

#BiodiversityBikeride #KeyBiodiversityAreas #Biodiversity #Nature #Adventure #Conservation #Fundraiser #AdventureWithPurpose
@wcs.canada
@birds.canada
@natureserveorg
@kbacanada

This is Biodiversity!

KBA #10 was Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi’it - Tobacco Plain, and is the only home in Canada to Spalding’s Campion!

Most of its population exists below the Canada-USA border, but given this barrier, it is important to protect Canada’s only home to this endangered species.

If you are able to endure the curse of the gravel road/broken bike, you can gently kiss your very own sticky, bug-covered Spalding’s Campion. But then again, maybe just flirt with it from afar.

Huge thanks to @iadams44 for teaching me more than I can fit on instagram, and for saving me from being stranded.

#BiodiversityBikeride #KeyBiodiversityAreas #Biodiversity #Nature #Adventure #Conservation #Fundraiser #AdventureWithPurpose
@wcs.canada
@birds.canada
@natureserveorg
@kbacanada

PS - enjoy multiple kiss pictures, you deserve it

This is Biodiversity!

KBA #9, Skookumchuck Prairie is a success story in habitat restoration!

Very happy for Lewis and his woodpecker:)

Special thanks to Caretaker Dianne Cooper for giving me a crash course overview on this KBA!

#BiodiversityBikeride #KeyBiodiversityAreas #Biodiversity #Nature #Adventure #Conservation #Fundraiser #AdventureWithPurpose
@wcs.canada
@birds.canada
@natureserveorg
@kbacanada

This is Biodiversity.

There was a LONG distance between KBA 7 and 8. Heading south along Kootenay Lake, KBA #8, Creston Valley, is a huge area to try to capture.

Something that took me a while to fully realize about KBAs is that just because they’re important for biodiversity doesn’t necessarily mean they’re always incredibly rich in biodiversity throughout. Creston Valley is full of farmland which usually means there are rows upon rows of the same plants for vast distances.

However, the regions are still important because large proportions of some species’ overall populations call them home.

Despite the vast farmlands in this huge region, Northern Leopard Frogs live NOWHERE ELSE in Canada!

Meanwhile, 45.8% of White Sturgeons in Canada live here.

This is a large part of what KBAs are all about. They aren’t all rainforests and bogs, but if overall biodiversity in Canada and across the globe is to be conserved, these special regions that house some species in large proportions are incredibly important to protect.

#BiodiversityBikeride #KeyBiodiversityAreas #Biodiversity #Nature #Adventure #Conservation #Fundraiser #AdventureWithPurpose
@wcs.canada
@birds.canada
@natureserveorg
@kbacanada

KBA #7, the Fraser River Estuary, was my first opportunity to meet in person with a Caretaker! Anne Murray (no, not that one) guided me through Ladner Harbour Park and truly taught me the very basics of birdwatching. Seasoned birders may chuckle when they hear I suggested to meet at 2pm 🤦🏼‍♂️ (The early bird gets the birds*)

Lesson time: Caretakers are local volunteers who know an area and submit annual reports on the status of its biodiversity, especially with respect to birds. This is important because the entire KBA program relies on up-to-date data to keep track of population counts.

Why birds? It’s simple: the precursors to KBAs - which focus on biodiversity including all species - are important bird areas (IBAs), which focus more narrowly on birds. Many IBAs also meet criteria as KBAs, so their caretakers are fantastic, versatile sources of valuable data for the KBA program.

Fun fact: Anne Murray was a key reason a Caretaker program exists at all, as she realized the need for regular updates on bird-related data, and recognized how valuable local volunteers could be. As she told me, bird colonies such as herons, are known to relocate over time, in part because they wear out the trees with their poop 🫢

Thanks to @annemurray4531 !! 🫶

Ps- First three slides are from Mud Bay Park, also located within the Fraser River Estuary KBA.

#BiodiversityBikeride #KeyBiodiversityAreas #Biodiversity #Nature #Adventure #Conservation #Fundraiser #AdventureWithPurpose
@wcs.canada
@birds.canada
@natureserveorg
@kbacanada

Had a surprise warm welcome from Mum, Dad, aunts, uncles, and a whole ferry line up at Crawford Bay!

Chasing adventures has been fulfilling as hell, but having supportive family and friends cheering me on in countless little ways throughout the process has made it far sweeter, and far less scary.

#ittakesavillage

I am an artist and the cover photo symbolizes mishaps.

Listen closely for a voiceover cameo from a small child. Did she say “sheesh?”

#keybiodiversityareas
#biodiversitybikeride

While I wait to get my bike repaired, it’s time for a happy post. You’ll quickly see why Tofino was a highlight for me.

KBA#6!!

The Tofino Mudflats support all kinds of life, from invertebrates to eel grass, algae to the critically low- numbered Chinook Salmon, Western Sandpipers in the hundreds of thousands to Threatened Red Knots.

KBAs support life, but remember to bring life to your next KBA! Sharing some fun here ❤️

Ps- beach beers and bogs 🍻

#BiodiversityBikeride #KeyBiodiversityAreas #Biodiversity #Nature #Adventure #Conservation #Fundraiser #AdventureWithPurpose
@wcs.canada
@birds.canada
@natureserveorg
@kbacanada

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@biodiversitybikeride

How I hope to make an impact:

-Put a spotlight on experts, sharing the depth of their knowledge and the significance of their work.

-Demystify complex topics with engaging, accessible, and relevant conversation.

-Contribute to the conservation of profoundly important natural spaces.

-Encourage others to repair and strengthen their relationship with the natural world.

-Entertain followers and inspire them to pursue adventure with purpose.

-Highlight ways everyone can make a positive difference.

In addition to the advocacy of the Biodiversity Bikeride, I will also be practicing leave-no-trace principles, and eating a strictly plant-based (vegan) diet.

This isn’t about pointing fingers or telling others how to live. And it’s certainly not about acting like I have sustainability all figured out. I don’t.

I just want to share that I’m trying, and that’s something I think everyone can agree is worthwhile.

Land

The Biodiversity Bikeride takes place on the historic lands of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples. As a settler living on these lands, I am cognizant of my role in the ongoing and harmful colonial history of Canada. My hope is to contribute to the continuous practice of reconciliation in part by bolstering public interest in the protection of Key Biodiversity Areas. Moreover, I hope my work will inspire a meaningful shift in our collective relationship with the land and all life on it.

Generously supported by:

KBAs visited: 44

Let’s get to know each other.

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How I hope to make an impact:

Land

Generously supported by: