Quebec Labrador Foundation Inc

QUEBEC-LABRADOR FOUNDATION U.S. (QLF) EXISTS TO PROMOTE GLOBAL LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, TO SUPPORT THE RURAL COMMUNITIES AND ENVIRONMENT OF EASTERN CANADA AND NEW ENGLAND, AND TO CREATE MODELS FOR STEWARDSHIP OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND CULTURAL HERITAGE THAT CAN BE SHARED WORLDWIDE.

I. CONSERVATION AND STEWARDSHIP IN 2023, QLF'S CONSERVATION AND STEWARDSHIP INITIATIVES CONSISTED OF THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS: THE SOUNDS CONSERVANCY MARINE RESEARCH PROGRAM; BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION PROGRAMS; STEWARDSHIP OF PROTECTED AREAS, THE MARITIMES; CONNECTIVITY CONSERVATION: THE STAYING CONNECTED INITIATIVE; REGIONAL STEWARDSHIP INITIATIVES; AND GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AND STEWARDSHIP INITIATIVES. A. THE SOUNDS CONSERVANCY MARINE RESEARCH PROGRAM THE SOUNDS CONSERVANCY IS A MARINE RESEARCH PROGRAM ALONG THE SIX SOUNDS, ESTUARIES, AND COASTAL WATERS OF SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND AND NEW YORK. FROM SOUTH TO NORTH, THE SOUNDS ARE LONG ISLAND, FISHERS ISLAND, BLOCK ISLAND, RHODE ISLAND, MARTHA'S VINEYARD, AND NANTUCKET. THE PROGRAM IS DEDICATED TO CONSERVE, PROTECT, AND STEWARD THE SOUNDS AND ITS COASTAL WATERS, AND TO SUPPORT MARINE RESEARCH, ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY, AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION. EACH YEAR, QLF AWARDS SUPPLEMENTAL RESEARCH GRANTS TO GRADUATE STUDENTS, FELLOWS, AND PRACTITIONERS IN MARINE CONSERVATION, RESEARCH, AND STEWARDSHIP. AS WELL, EACH YEAR, QLF STAFF UPDATE THE SOUNDS CONSERVANCY'S 200-PAGE ELECTRONIC PUBLICATION, WHICH DOCUMENTS THE WORK BY THE PROGRAM'S FELLOWS OVER NEARLY THIRTY YEARS. B. BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION PROGRAMS - QLF'S BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION PROGRAMS ARE MANAGED BY A SENIOR PROGRAM CONSULTANT IN MASSACHUSETTS WITH QLF STAFF MEMBERS. THE GOALS OF THE PROGRAM ARE TO ENCOURAGE LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO TAKE AN ACTIVE ROLE AS CITIZEN SCIENTISTS, PROMOTE INITIATIVES THAT SECURE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, STEWARD AND CONSERVE ECOSYSTEMS, AND LEAD BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION INITIATIVES AS A STRATEGY TO MITIGATE THE IMPACTS OF A CHANGING CLIMATE. THE 2023 BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION PROGRAMS FOLLOW. RECOVERY OF AQUATIC SPECIES, THREATENED AND ENDANGERED THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA'S DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES AND OCEANS AWARDED QLF A FOUR-YEAR GRANT SECURED BY A QLF SENIOR CONSULTANT WHO IS RECOGNIZED WORLDWIDE FOR HER PIONEERING WORK IN COMMUNITY-BASED CONSERVATION. THE PROJECT, CONCLUDED IN 2023, CONTRIBUTES TO THE RECOVERY OF ENDANGERED AND THREATENED MARINE SPECIES BY REDUCING THREATS CAUSED BY FISHERIES SUCH AS ENTANGLEMENT WITH FISHING GEAR, INGESTION OF PLASTICS, AND BY-CATCH MORTALITY ALONG THE GREAT NORTHERN PENINSULA OF NEWFOUNDLAND AND SOUTHERN LABRADOR. AQUATIC SPECIES AT RISK, SOUTH COAST OF NEWFOUNDLAND IN 2022, THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA'S DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES AND OCEANS AWARDED QLF A SECOND FOUR-YEAR GRANT TO ESTABLISH A RECOVERY PLAN FOR AQUATIC SPECIES THREATENED AND ENDANGERED ALONG THE SOUTHWEST COAST OF NEWFOUNDLAND. C. STEWARDSHIP OF PROTECTED AREAS, THE MARITIMES - THE GOAL OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO ENSURE THE CONSERVATION AND STEWARDSHIP OF PROTECTED AREAS IN THE MARITIME PROVINCES OF NEW BRUNSWICK AND NOVA SCOTIA. THE PROGRAM, MANAGED BY STAFF BASED AT THE HEADQUARTERS IN MASSACHUSETTS, IS DIRECTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NATURE TRUST NEW BRUNSWICK AND THE NOVA SCOTIA NATURE TRUST. THE PROGRAM CONSISTS OF A SERIES OF PROVINCIAL SPECIES SURVEYS CONDUCTED BY QLF STAFF WITH PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS TO ASSESS THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON SEABIRDS, SEA DUCKS, AND MIGRATORY BIRDS AND THEIR HABITAT, AND CONDUCT STUDIES ON MACRO-INVERTEBRATE SPECIES THAT ARE INDICATORS OF WATER QUALITY. DATA FROM THE SPECIES SURVEYS CONTRIBUTE TO REGIONAL LONGITUDINAL STUDIES ON BIODIVERSITY AND ECOSYSTEM HEALTH, WHICH DEFINE CURRENT AND FUTURE STRATEGIES AND MANAGEMENT PLANS FOR THE CONSERVATION, STEWARDSHIP, AND RESTORATION OF BIODIVERSITY ACROSS THE MARITIMES. D. CONNECTIVITY CONSERVATION: THE STAYING CONNECTED INITIATIVE QLF IS A LEADING PARTNER IN THE STAYING CONNECTED INITIATIVE, A CROSS-BORDER, PUBLIC-PRIVATE COLLABORATION FOCUSED ON CONSERVING AND RESTORING A WELL-CONNECTED FOREST LANDSCAPE FOR NATIVE WILDLIFE AND PEOPLE IN THE NORTHERN APPALACHIAN-ACADIAN/WABANAKI REGION OF NORTHEASTERN NORTH AMERICA. THIS ECO-REGION ENCOMPASSES MORE THAN 80 MILLION AREAS AND IS GLOBALLY SIGNIFICANT AS ONE OF THE LARGEST AREAS OF MIXED TEMPERATE FOREST REMAINING IN THE WORLD AND A GATEWAY FOR SPECIES MOVING NORTHWARD IN RESPONSE TO CLIMATE CHANGE. PROGRAM PARTNERS ARE DEPLOYING AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO CONNECTIVITY CONSERVATION AND STEWARDSHIP IN WORKING WITH INDIGENOUS LEADERS AND COMMUNITIES IN THE REGION WHILE MAINTAINING A REGIONAL COMMITMENT TO PROTECT 30% OF TERRESTRIAL AND AQUATIC HABITAT BY 2030. AS PART OF THE STAYING CONNECTED INITIATIVE, QLF IS A LEAD PARTNER, WITH THE CENTER FOR LARGE LANDSCAPE CONSERVATION, IN THE MANAGEMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FIRST NORTHEASTERN NORTH AMERICAN LANDSCAPE CONNECTIVITY SUMMIT TO BE HELD IN MONTREAL, QUEBEC, IN JUNE 2024. THE SUMMIT WILL CONVENE MEMBERS OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS, AND ACADEMIA REPRESENTING THE FIVE EASTERN PROVINCES OF CANADA, SEVEN NORTHEASTERN U.S. STATES, AND INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE ECO-REGION. THE SUMMIT WILL ELEVATE THE VISIBILITY AND IMPORTANCE OF THE REGION'S CONNECTED FOREST LANDSCAPES AND WILL RESULT IN THE PREPARATION OF A HIGH-LEVEL BLUEPRINT OF PRIORITY ACTIONS TO ADVANCE ITS CONNECTIVITY CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION. THE STAYING CONNECTED INITIATIVE AND THE SUMMIT ARE MANAGED BY A SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT BASED AT A QLF FIELD OFFICE IN VERMONT. E. REGIONAL STEWARDSHIP INITIATIVESNATIONAL PARK SERVICE STEWARDSHIP INSTITUTE QLF IS THE PRINCIPAL PARTNER IN THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE STEWARDSHIP INSTITUTE, WHICH PROVIDES SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE FOR THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE TO ENGAGE IN COLLABORATIVE INITIATIVES AND PARTNERSHIPS, AND TO SERVE AS A CATALYST FOR CHANGE THROUGH RESEARCH AND EVALUATION. IN 2022, QLF CONCLUDED A PROJECT TO DEVELOP A STRATEGIC PLAN TO REVITALIZE THE CHESAPEAKE BAY GATEWAYS NETWORK, A SYSTEM OF HUNDREDS OF SITES IN THE 64,000 SQUARE MILES OF THE WATERSHED, WHICH INCLUDES PARKS, WILDLIFE REFUGES, MARITIME MUSEUMS, HISTORIC SITES, AND WATER TRAILS. IN 2023, QLF AND THE STEWARDSHIP INSTITUTE IMPLEMENTED THE STRATEGIC PLAN, PROVIDING GUIDANCE AND FACILITATION TO ENGAGE THE ORGANIZATIONS AND AGENCIES IN NEW STEWARDSHIP INITIATIVES ACROSS THE EXPANSIVE CHESAPEAKE BAY GATEWAYS NETWORK. INITIATIVES OF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE STEWARDSHIP INSTITUTE ARE MANAGED BY A QLF SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT IN MASSACHUSETTS. F. GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AND STEWARDSHIP INITIATIVES THESE GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AND STEWARDSHIP INITIATIVES ARE MANAGED BY A QLF SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT IN MASSACHUSETTS.WORLD COMMISSION ON PROTECTED AREAS A QLF SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT SERVES AS A VICE CHAIR OF THE WORLD COMMISSION ON PROTECTED AREAS OF THE INTERNATIONAL UNION OR CONSERVATION OF NATURE (IUCN), ONE OF SEVEN COMMISSIONS WITHIN THE IUCN. WITH OVER 2,500 VOLUNTEER MEMBERS WORLDWIDE, THE WORLD COMMISSION PROVIDES SCIENTIFIC, TECHNICAL AND POLICY ADVICE AND ADVOCATES FOR NATIONAL AND GLOBAL SYSTEMS OF MARINE, FRESHWATER, AND TERRESTRIAL PROTECTED AREAS TO RESTORE AND CONSERVE BIODIVERSITY. GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY FRAMEWORK AN INITIATIVE OF THE CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY IS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY FRAMEWORK, WHICH PROVIDES GUIDELINES AND A FRAMEWORK TO REVERSE BIODIVERSITY LOSS AND RESTORE BIODIVERSITY ACROSS THE GLOBE. CENTRAL TO THE FRAMEWORK IS TARGET 3, THE 30 X 30 GLOBAL INITIATIVE ESTABLISHED TO SECURE 30% OF LAND AND SEA IN PROTECTED AND CONSERVED AREAS ACROSS THE GLOBE BY THE YEAR 2030.GUIDE TO INCLUSIVE AND EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY, TARGET 3 A QLF SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT IS LEADING THE EFFORT TO DEVELOP A GUIDE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 30 X 30 GLOBAL INITIATIVE, WHICH IS DRAFTED IN COLLABORATION WITH LOCAL RIGHTSHOLDERS, INDIGENOUS PEOPLES, AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES ALONG WITH THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR CONSERVATION PRACTITIONERS WORLDWIDE. PROTECTED AREAS AND ONE HEALTH THERE IS INCREASED SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE THAT LAND-USE INDUCED SPILLOVER IS A MAJOR CONTRIBUTOR TO DISEASE THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION OF WILDLIFE PATHOGENS. OF NOTE, A SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT IS THE CO-EDITOR OF A SPECIAL ISSUES OF PARKS, THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PROTECTED AREAS AND CONSERVATION, WHICH DOCUMENTS THE IMPACT OF THE SARS-COV-2 ON PROTECTED AND CONSERVED AREAS. FOLLOWING THIS PUBLICATION, IN 2023, THE SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT WORKED WITH THE WORLD COMMISSION ON PROTECTED AREAS TO ESTABLISH A NEW TASK FORCE ON PROTECTED AREAS AND ONE HEALTH, WHICH IS BASED ON THE PREMISE THAT PROTECTED AREAS PROTECT AND RESTORE BIODIVERSITY AND REDUCE THE TRANSMISSION OF WILDLIFE PATHOGENS. WORLD HERITAGE A QLF SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT ALSO ASSISTS THE INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE IN ITS SUPPORT TO UNESCO'S WORLD HERITAGE PROGRAM, WHICH CONSISTS OF A THOROUGH EVALUATION AND MONITORING OF WORLD HERITAGE SITES.

IV. COMMUNICATIONS QLF COMPLETED THE THIRD SEASON OF ITS WEBINAR SERIES, VOICES OF QLF, WHICH IS BROADCAST LIVE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THE SERIES HIGHLIGHTS THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF STAFF AND ALUMNI WHO ARE PROMINENT CONSERVATION LEADERS IN-REGION AND WORLDWIDE. EACH ONE-HOUR EPISODE CONSISTS OF INTERVIEWS AND INFORMAL DIALOGUE EXCHANGE ALONG WITH FILM, VIDEO, AND PHOTOGRAPHS. IN TOTAL, QLF HAS PRODUCED 17 EPISODES OF VOICES OF QLF. OTHER QLF COMMUNICATION INITIATIVES INCLUDE THE QLF WEBSITE MAINTENANCE WITH ARTICLES AND CASE STUDIES CONDUCTED BY STAFF AND ALUMNI, WHICH ARE POSTED UNDER THE SECTION, OUR IMPACT. OTHER COMMUNICATIONS CONSIST OF A BI-ANNUAL NEWSLETTER, COMPASS; ANNUAL PROGRAM REPORTS; PROGRAM ARTICLES; AND SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS.

I. CONSERVATION AND STEWARDSHIP IN 2023, QLF'S CONSERVATION AND STEWARDSHIP INITIATIVES CONSISTED OF THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS: THE SOUNDS CONSERVANCY MARINE RESEARCH PROGRAM; BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION PROGRAMS; STEWARDSHIP OF PROTECTED AREAS, THE MARITIMES; CONNECTIVITY CONSERVATION: THE STAYING CONNECTED INITIATIVE; REGIONAL STEWARDSHIP INITIATIVES; AND GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AND STEWARDSHIP INITIATIVES. A. THE SOUNDS CONSERVANCY MARINE RESEARCH PROGRAM THE SOUNDS CONSERVANCY IS A MARINE RESEARCH PROGRAM ALONG THE SIX SOUNDS, ESTUARIES, AND COASTAL WATERS OF SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND AND NEW YORK. FROM SOUTH TO NORTH, THE SOUNDS ARE LONG ISLAND, FISHERS ISLAND, BLOCK ISLAND, RHODE ISLAND, MARTHA'S VINEYARD, AND NANTUCKET. THE PROGRAM IS DEDICATED TO CONSERVE, PROTECT, AND STEWARD THE SOUNDS AND ITS COASTAL WATERS, AND TO SUPPORT MARINE RESEARCH, ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY, AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION. EACH YEAR, QLF AWARDS SUPPLEMENTAL RESEARCH GRANTS TO GRADUATE STUDENTS, FELLOWS, AND PRACTITIONERS IN MARINE CONSERVATION, RESEARCH, AND STEWARDSHIP. AS WELL, EACH YEAR, QLF STAFF UPDATE THE SOUNDS CONSERVANCY'S 200-PAGE ELECTRONIC PUBLICATION, WHICH DOCUMENTS THE WORK BY THE PROGRAM'S FELLOWS OVER NEARLY THIRTY YEARS. B. BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION PROGRAMS - QLF'S BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION PROGRAMS ARE MANAGED BY A SENIOR PROGRAM CONSULTANT IN MASSACHUSETTS WITH QLF STAFF MEMBERS. THE GOALS OF THE PROGRAM ARE TO ENCOURAGE LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO TAKE AN ACTIVE ROLE AS CITIZEN SCIENTISTS, PROMOTE INITIATIVES THAT SECURE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, STEWARD AND CONSERVE ECOSYSTEMS, AND LEAD BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION INITIATIVES AS A STRATEGY TO MITIGATE THE IMPACTS OF A CHANGING CLIMATE. THE 2023 BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION PROGRAMS FOLLOW. RECOVERY OF AQUATIC SPECIES, THREATENED AND ENDANGERED THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA'S DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES AND OCEANS AWARDED QLF A FOUR-YEAR GRANT SECURED BY A QLF SENIOR CONSULTANT WHO IS RECOGNIZED WORLDWIDE FOR HER PIONEERING WORK IN COMMUNITY-BASED CONSERVATION. THE PROJECT, CONCLUDED IN 2023, CONTRIBUTES TO THE RECOVERY OF ENDANGERED AND THREATENED MARINE SPECIES BY REDUCING THREATS CAUSED BY FISHERIES SUCH AS ENTANGLEMENT WITH FISHING GEAR, INGESTION OF PLASTICS, AND BY-CATCH MORTALITY ALONG THE GREAT NORTHERN PENINSULA OF NEWFOUNDLAND AND SOUTHERN LABRADOR. AQUATIC SPECIES AT RISK, SOUTH COAST OF NEWFOUNDLAND IN 2022, THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA'S DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES AND OCEANS AWARDED QLF A SECOND FOUR-YEAR GRANT TO ESTABLISH A RECOVERY PLAN FOR AQUATIC SPECIES THREATENED AND ENDANGERED ALONG THE SOUTHWEST COAST OF NEWFOUNDLAND. C. STEWARDSHIP OF PROTECTED AREAS, THE MARITIMES - THE GOAL OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO ENSURE THE CONSERVATION AND STEWARDSHIP OF PROTECTED AREAS IN THE MARITIME PROVINCES OF NEW BRUNSWICK AND NOVA SCOTIA. THE PROGRAM, MANAGED BY STAFF BASED AT THE HEADQUARTERS IN MASSACHUSETTS, IS DIRECTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NATURE TRUST NEW BRUNSWICK AND THE NOVA SCOTIA NATURE TRUST. THE PROGRAM CONSISTS OF A SERIES OF PROVINCIAL SPECIES SURVEYS CONDUCTED BY QLF STAFF WITH PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS TO ASSESS THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON SEABIRDS, SEA DUCKS, AND MIGRATORY BIRDS AND THEIR HABITAT, AND CONDUCT STUDIES ON MACRO-INVERTEBRATE SPECIES THAT ARE INDICATORS OF WATER QUALITY. DATA FROM THE SPECIES SURVEYS CONTRIBUTE TO REGIONAL LONGITUDINAL STUDIES ON BIODIVERSITY AND ECOSYSTEM HEALTH, WHICH DEFINE CURRENT AND FUTURE STRATEGIES AND MANAGEMENT PLANS FOR THE CONSERVATION, STEWARDSHIP, AND RESTORATION OF BIODIVERSITY ACROSS THE MARITIMES. D. CONNECTIVITY CONSERVATION: THE STAYING CONNECTED INITIATIVE QLF IS A LEADING PARTNER IN THE STAYING CONNECTED INITIATIVE, A CROSS-BORDER, PUBLIC-PRIVATE COLLABORATION FOCUSED ON CONSERVING AND RESTORING A WELL-CONNECTED FOREST LANDSCAPE FOR NATIVE WILDLIFE AND PEOPLE IN THE NORTHERN APPALACHIAN-ACADIAN/WABANAKI REGION OF NORTHEASTERN NORTH AMERICA. THIS ECO-REGION ENCOMPASSES MORE THAN 80 MILLION AREAS AND IS GLOBALLY SIGNIFICANT AS ONE OF THE LARGEST AREAS OF MIXED TEMPERATE FOREST REMAINING IN THE WORLD AND A GATEWAY FOR SPECIES MOVING NORTHWARD IN RESPONSE TO CLIMATE CHANGE. PROGRAM PARTNERS ARE DEPLOYING AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO CONNECTIVITY CONSERVATION AND STEWARDSHIP IN WORKING WITH INDIGENOUS LEADERS AND COMMUNITIES IN THE REGION WHILE MAINTAINING A REGIONAL COMMITMENT TO PROTECT 30% OF TERRESTRIAL AND AQUATIC HABITAT BY 2030. AS PART OF THE STAYING CONNECTED INITIATIVE, QLF IS A LEAD PARTNER, WITH THE CENTER FOR LARGE LANDSCAPE CONSERVATION, IN THE MANAGEMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FIRST NORTHEASTERN NORTH AMERICAN LANDSCAPE CONNECTIVITY SUMMIT TO BE HELD IN MONTREAL, QUEBEC, IN JUNE 2024. THE SUMMIT WILL CONVENE MEMBERS OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS, AND ACADEMIA REPRESENTING THE FIVE EASTERN PROVINCES OF CANADA, SEVEN NORTHEASTERN U.S. STATES, AND INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE ECO-REGION. THE SUMMIT WILL ELEVATE THE VISIBILITY AND IMPORTANCE OF THE REGION'S CONNECTED FOREST LANDSCAPES AND WILL RESULT IN THE PREPARATION OF A HIGH-LEVEL BLUEPRINT OF PRIORITY ACTIONS TO ADVANCE ITS CONNECTIVITY CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION. THE STAYING CONNECTED INITIATIVE AND THE SUMMIT ARE MANAGED BY A SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT BASED AT A QLF FIELD OFFICE IN VERMONT. E. REGIONAL STEWARDSHIP INITIATIVESNATIONAL PARK SERVICE STEWARDSHIP INSTITUTE QLF IS THE PRINCIPAL PARTNER IN THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE STEWARDSHIP INSTITUTE, WHICH PROVIDES SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE FOR THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE TO ENGAGE IN COLLABORATIVE INITIATIVES AND PARTNERSHIPS, AND TO SERVE AS A CATALYST FOR CHANGE THROUGH RESEARCH AND EVALUATION. IN 2022, QLF CONCLUDED A PROJECT TO DEVELOP A STRATEGIC PLAN TO REVITALIZE THE CHESAPEAKE BAY GATEWAYS NETWORK, A SYSTEM OF HUNDREDS OF SITES IN THE 64,000 SQUARE MILES OF THE WATERSHED, WHICH INCLUDES PARKS, WILDLIFE REFUGES, MARITIME MUSEUMS, HISTORIC SITES, AND WATER TRAILS. IN 2023, QLF AND THE STEWARDSHIP INSTITUTE IMPLEMENTED THE STRATEGIC PLAN, PROVIDING GUIDANCE AND FACILITATION TO ENGAGE THE ORGANIZATIONS AND AGENCIES IN NEW STEWARDSHIP INITIATIVES ACROSS THE EXPANSIVE CHESAPEAKE BAY GATEWAYS NETWORK. INITIATIVES OF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE STEWARDSHIP INSTITUTE ARE MANAGED BY A QLF SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT IN MASSACHUSETTS. F. GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AND STEWARDSHIP INITIATIVES THESE GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AND STEWARDSHIP INITIATIVES ARE MANAGED BY A QLF SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT IN MASSACHUSETTS.WORLD COMMISSION ON PROTECTED AREAS A QLF SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT SERVES AS A VICE CHAIR OF THE WORLD COMMISSION ON PROTECTED AREAS OF THE INTERNATIONAL UNION OR CONSERVATION OF NATURE (IUCN), ONE OF SEVEN COMMISSIONS WITHIN THE IUCN. WITH OVER 2,500 VOLUNTEER MEMBERS WORLDWIDE, THE WORLD COMMISSION PROVIDES SCIENTIFIC, TECHNICAL AND POLICY ADVICE AND ADVOCATES FOR NATIONAL AND GLOBAL SYSTEMS OF MARINE, FRESHWATER, AND TERRESTRIAL PROTECTED AREAS TO RESTORE AND CONSERVE BIODIVERSITY. GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY FRAMEWORK AN INITIATIVE OF THE CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY IS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY FRAMEWORK, WHICH PROVIDES GUIDELINES AND A FRAMEWORK TO REVERSE BIODIVERSITY LOSS AND RESTORE BIODIVERSITY ACROSS THE GLOBE. CENTRAL TO THE FRAMEWORK IS TARGET 3, THE 30 X 30 GLOBAL INITIATIVE ESTABLISHED TO SECURE 30% OF LAND AND SEA IN PROTECTED AND CONSERVED AREAS ACROSS THE GLOBE BY THE YEAR 2030.GUIDE TO INCLUSIVE AND EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY, TARGET 3 A QLF SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT IS LEADING THE EFFORT TO DEVELOP A GUIDE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 30 X 30 GLOBAL INITIATIVE, WHICH IS DRAFTED IN COLLABORATION WITH LOCAL RIGHTSHOLDERS, INDIGENOUS PEOPLES, AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES ALONG WITH THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR CONSERVATION PRACTITIONERS WORLDWIDE. PROTECTED AREAS AND ONE HEALTH THERE IS INCREASED SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE THAT LAND-USE INDUCED SPILLOVER IS A MAJOR CONTRIBUTOR TO DISEASE THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION OF WILDLIFE PATHOGENS. OF NOTE, A SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT IS THE CO-EDITOR OF A SPECIAL ISSUES OF PARKS, THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PROTECTED AREAS AND CONSERVATION, WHICH DOCUMENTS THE IMPACT OF THE SARS-COV-2 ON PROTECTED AND CONSERVED AREAS. FOLLOWING THIS PUBLICATION, IN 2023, THE SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT WORKED WITH THE WORLD COMMISSION ON PROTECTED AREAS TO ESTABLISH A NEW TASK FORCE ON PROTECTED AREAS AND ONE HEALTH, WHICH IS BASED ON THE PREMISE THAT PROTECTED AREAS PROTECT AND RESTORE BIODIVERSITY AND REDUCE THE TRANSMISSION OF WILDLIFE PATHOGENS. WORLD HERITAGE A QLF SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT ALSO ASSISTS THE INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE IN ITS SUPPORT TO UNESCO'S WORLD HERITAGE PROGRAM, WHICH CONSISTS OF A THOROUGH EVALUATION AND MONITORING OF WORLD HERITAGE SITES.

IV. COMMUNICATIONS QLF COMPLETED THE THIRD SEASON OF ITS WEBINAR SERIES, VOICES OF QLF, WHICH IS BROADCAST LIVE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THE SERIES HIGHLIGHTS THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF STAFF AND ALUMNI WHO ARE PROMINENT CONSERVATION LEADERS IN-REGION AND WORLDWIDE. EACH ONE-HOUR EPISODE CONSISTS OF INTERVIEWS AND INFORMAL DIALOGUE EXCHANGE ALONG WITH FILM, VIDEO, AND PHOTOGRAPHS. IN TOTAL, QLF HAS PRODUCED 17 EPISODES OF VOICES OF QLF. OTHER QLF COMMUNICATION INITIATIVES INCLUDE THE QLF WEBSITE MAINTENANCE WITH ARTICLES AND CASE STUDIES CONDUCTED BY STAFF AND ALUMNI, WHICH ARE POSTED UNDER THE SECTION, OUR IMPACT. OTHER COMMUNICATIONS CONSIST OF A BI-ANNUAL NEWSLETTER, COMPASS; ANNUAL PROGRAM REPORTS; PROGRAM ARTICLES; AND SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS.

II. CONSERVATION LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS QLF'S CONSERVATION LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS FOLLOW: CONSERVATION INTERNSHIPS THE CONSERVATION INTERNSHIP PROGRAM IS MANAGED BY STAFF FROM QLF'S HEADQUARTERS IN MASSACHUSETTS. AS CONSERVATION LEADERSHIP IS AMONG QLF'S HIGHEST PRIORITIES AND A HALLMARK OF ALL PROGRAMS, QLF INVESTS IN THE NEXT GENERATIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERS WHO ARE HISTORICALLY UNIVERSITY STUDENTS (UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATES) AND YOUNG PROFESSIONALS. EACH YEAR, QLF SUPPORTS UP TO 24 INTERNSHIPS WITH FIELD ASSIGNMENTS ACROSS THE ORGANIZATION'S HOME REGION: NEW ENGLAND, THE MARITIMES, NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR, THE QUEBEC NORTH SHORE ALONG THE GULF OF ST. LAWRENCE. INTERNSHIPS PROVIDE HANDS-ON, EXPERIENTIAL TRAINING, AND FIELD WORK IN BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AND STEWARDSHIP OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND CULTURAL HERITAGE. AS WELL, QLF OFFERS INTERNSHIPS WITH SCIENCE WRITING ASSIGNMENTS BASED AT QLF HEADQUARTERS IN IPSWICH, MASSACHUSETTS, AND MONTREAL, QUEBEC. INVESTING IN THE NEXT GENERATION'S CONSERVATION LEADERS BASED IN MASSACHUSETTS, QLF MANAGES THE PROGRAM, INVESTING IN THE NEXT GENERATION'S CONSERVATION LEADERS WHICH IS BASED ALONG THE GREAT NORTHERN PENINSULA OF NEWFOUNDLAND AND SOUTHERN LABRADOR. THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, STAFF PROVIDE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION WORKSHOPS TO MORE THAN 300 YOUTH ACROSS THE PENINSULA OF NEWFOUNDLAND AND SOUTHERN LABRADOR. WORKSHOPS FOCUS ON THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION; SEABIRDS, SEA DUCKS, AND MIGRATORY BIRDS; MARINE MAMMALS AT RISK; THE IMPACT OF MARINE DEBRIS ON BIODIVERSITY AND MARINE ECOSYSTEMS; AND PROTECTION OF WILDLIFE AND THEIR HABITATS. THIS PROGRAM IS MANAGED WITH MULTIPLE PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS IN NEWFOUNDLAND AND SOUTHERN LABRADOR.

II. CONSERVATION LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS QLF'S CONSERVATION LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS FOLLOW: CONSERVATION INTERNSHIPS THE CONSERVATION INTERNSHIP PROGRAM IS MANAGED BY STAFF FROM QLF'S HEADQUARTERS IN MASSACHUSETTS. AS CONSERVATION LEADERSHIP IS AMONG QLF'S HIGHEST PRIORITIES AND A HALLMARK OF ALL PROGRAMS, QLF INVESTS IN THE NEXT GENERATIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERS WHO ARE HISTORICALLY UNIVERSITY STUDENTS (UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATES) AND YOUNG PROFESSIONALS. EACH YEAR, QLF SUPPORTS UP TO 24 INTERNSHIPS WITH FIELD ASSIGNMENTS ACROSS THE ORGANIZATION'S HOME REGION: NEW ENGLAND, THE MARITIMES, NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR, THE QUEBEC NORTH SHORE ALONG THE GULF OF ST. LAWRENCE. INTERNSHIPS PROVIDE HANDS-ON, EXPERIENTIAL TRAINING, AND FIELD WORK IN BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AND STEWARDSHIP OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND CULTURAL HERITAGE. AS WELL, QLF OFFERS INTERNSHIPS WITH SCIENCE WRITING ASSIGNMENTS BASED AT QLF HEADQUARTERS IN IPSWICH, MASSACHUSETTS, AND MONTREAL, QUEBEC. INVESTING IN THE NEXT GENERATION'S CONSERVATION LEADERS BASED IN MASSACHUSETTS, QLF MANAGES THE PROGRAM, INVESTING IN THE NEXT GENERATION'S CONSERVATION LEADERS WHICH IS BASED ALONG THE GREAT NORTHERN PENINSULA OF NEWFOUNDLAND AND SOUTHERN LABRADOR. THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, STAFF PROVIDE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION WORKSHOPS TO MORE THAN 300 YOUTH ACROSS THE PENINSULA OF NEWFOUNDLAND AND SOUTHERN LABRADOR. WORKSHOPS FOCUS ON THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION; SEABIRDS, SEA DUCKS, AND MIGRATORY BIRDS; MARINE MAMMALS AT RISK; THE IMPACT OF MARINE DEBRIS ON BIODIVERSITY AND MARINE ECOSYSTEMS; AND PROTECTION OF WILDLIFE AND THEIR HABITATS. THIS PROGRAM IS MANAGED WITH MULTIPLE PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS IN NEWFOUNDLAND AND SOUTHERN LABRADOR.

III. SPECIAL PROJECTS SPECIAL PROJECTS ARE MANAGED BY THE QLF PRESIDENT AND PRESIDENT EMERITUS AND CONSIST OF RESEARCH ON NEW CONSERVATION PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES BOTH IN-REGION AND WORLDWIDE; NEW PUBLIC/PRIVATE CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIPS AND CONSULTING ASSIGNMENTS IN-REGION; AND A THREE-YEAR PROGRAM REVIEW 2023 2025, MANAGED BY QLF'S PRESIDENT. THE PROGRAM REVIEW PROVIDES A PROGRAM PLAN THAT SPANS THREE YEARS AND DOCUMENTS THE ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAM MISSION, VISION, AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES; PROGRAM PILLARS, DELIVERABLES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS; AND ANNUAL AND MULTI-YEAR PROGRAM FUNDING. QLF'S PRESIDENT EMERITUS IS WRITING A SERIES OF ARTICLES THAT ARCHIVE THE HISTORY OF THE ORGANIZATION AND IS ARCHIVING THE ORGANIZATION'S HISTORIC PHOTOGRAPHS AND FILMS THAT DATE BACK TO THE EARLY 1960'S WHEN THE ORGANIZATION WAS FOUNDED.

III. SPECIAL PROJECTS SPECIAL PROJECTS ARE MANAGED BY THE QLF PRESIDENT AND PRESIDENT EMERITUS AND CONSIST OF RESEARCH ON NEW CONSERVATION PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES BOTH IN-REGION AND WORLDWIDE; NEW PUBLIC/PRIVATE CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIPS AND CONSULTING ASSIGNMENTS IN-REGION; AND A THREE-YEAR PROGRAM REVIEW 2023-2025, MANAGED BY QLF'S PRESIDENT. THE PROGRAM REVIEW PROVIDES A PROGRAM PLAN THAT SPANS THREE YEARS AND DOCUMENTS THE ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAM MISSION, VISION, AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES; PROGRAM PILLARS, DELIVERABLES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS; AND ANNUAL AND MULTI-YEAR PROGRAM FUNDING. QLF'S PRESIDENT EMERITUS IS WRITING A SERIES OF ARTICLES THAT ARCHIVE THE HISTORY OF THE ORGANIZATION AND IS ARCHIVING THE ORGANIZATION'S HISTORIC PHOTOGRAPHS AND FILMS THAT DATE BACK TO THE EARLY 1960'S WHEN THE ORGANIZATION WAS FOUNDED.