Publications Archives - Ecology North

Fall Harvest Workshops in the Dehcho

In September 2024, our team facilitated workshops in schools and communities throughout the Dehcho region, making pickles and jam, and learning from each other about the importance of food preservation and food sovereignty.

Fall Dehcho Trip 2024 Download

We started in Ka’a’gee Tu/K’ágee Tue First Nation, where we celebrated the workshop with a community feast, bringing together Elders and local residents.

With support from Hotıì ts’eeda, Ecology North spent some time in Tthets’éhk’e Délî First Nation, where we went onto the land with youth and Elders to harvest berries – which we then turned into delicious jam with the community!

Our team also visited the students at Lı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ Elementary School, where we set up grow towers, allowing students to grow their own food indoors.

We spent some time in Pedzeh Ki First Nation, working with youth at Chief Julian Yendo School, preparing vegetables to be pickled and turning berries into jam.

One of the highlights of the trip was returning to Charles Yohin School in Nahæâ Dehé Dene Band, where earlier this year, our team helped students plant a community garden. This time around, we harvested carrots from that very garden and used them to make pickles with the community.

Our last stop was Acho Dene Koe First Nation, where we visited the students at Echo Dene School. We were there for Culture Week, and we had a wonderful day of preserving food and testing water.

Overall, it was a wonderful trip. We laughed, we played, and we learned from each other. We are so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with such amazing youth and great community members.

Mahsi to all our wonderful partners, including Ka’a’gee Tu/K’ágee Tue First Nation, Tthets’éhk’e Délî First Nation, Lı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ First Nation, Pedzeh Ki First Nation, Nahæâ Dehé Dene Band, Acho Dene Koe First Nation, Polar Knowledge Canada, Wilfrid Laurier University, the GNWT, Sustainable Canada Agricultural Partnership, and Hotıì ts’eeda.

SOS – Seasons of Smoke

During Earth Week 2024, we were fortunate to speak with Dr. Courtney Howard about the health effects of wildfire smoke. In her presentation, she outlined the risks of smoke inhalation, and talked to us about staying hopeful in the face of eco-anxiety. We are grateful that she shared her insights with us.

Climate Resiliency in the NWT

As part of Earth Week 2024, we partnered with the GNWT’s Environment and Climate Change department to host a fantastic panel on climate resilience in the North. We heard about a wide range of climate change solutions that are happening all over the NWT. Check it out!

The following panelists shared their stories and projects with us. We are also very grateful to our moderator, Lawrence Nayally, and to the public for their engagement and questions.

Take climate action!

Ecology North teamed up with illustrator, Alison McCreesh, to help you and your community mitigate and adapt to climate change. What climate actions can you check off today? Where can you make changes tomorrow? Print a copy and track your progress! Every big climate action starts with a small step.

Download printable version here.Download

Thank you to the Government of Canada for supporting this project.

Renewable Energy Technologies in the NWT – Alternatives North

Alternatives North has written a report on how to best evaluate renewable energy technologies proposed in the Northwest Territories. Their document highlights 3 questions we, and the government, should be asking to ensure that we are tackling the largest greenhouse gas emitters in the NWT rather than focusing on the latest trend in renewable energy technologies.

One of their board members, Karen Hamre, gave a presentation on this topic as part of our 2021 Earth Week celebrations at Ecology North.

Click below to view the report and presentation slides:

Evaluating NWTs Renewable Energy Technologies Report

Earth Week 2021 Presentation Slides

Feature photo by Northwest Territories Power Corporation.

Beekeeping Best Management Practices Manual

If you are considering beekeeping in the Northwest Territories, this document will introduce you to the information you need to get started.

Click below to view the guide:

NWT Beekeeping Best Management Practices

Species at Risk Teacher Guides

Teacher guides and resources for Species at Risk in the NWT. These resources were developed with support from the NWT Species at Risk Secretariat.

More Species at Risk education resources can be found by visiting our sister site: NWT Science Focus.

Northern Myotis Teacher’s Guide

Gypsy Cuckoo Bumble Bee Teacher’s Guide

Rusty Blackbird Teacher’s Guide

Rusty Blackbird ID Card

Amphibians at Risk Teacher’s Guide

Western Toad ID Card

Amphibians at Risk Teacher’s Guide

Northern Leopard Frog ID Card

Wood Bison Teacher’s Guide

Wood Bison ID Card

Whooping Crane Teacher’s Guide

Whooping Crane ID Card

Hairy Braya Teacher’s Guide

Hairy Braya ID Card

Climate Action Training

Climate Action Training is a web-based education opportunity for NWT youth who are looking to gain knowledge, skills, and resources to help face the climate crisis.

Sessions were live-streamed throughout January and February, 2020 and included presentations from some of the North’s best climate leaders. This carbon free format also allows for participants to watch and re-watch the recorded live-streams. Recordings can be found below, or by clicking here.

Following the training, we will be supporting youth to take climate action in their communities.

Session 1 – Climate Change Science

This session provides a good overview of the science of climate change: why is it happening, how do we know, what are the main contributing sources, and how are climate predictions made. Thank you to presenters Jennifer Hickman, Casey Beel, and Neils Weiss for sharing their knowledge with participants.

Watch Climate Action Training Session 1 – Climate Change Science

Session 2 – Northern Impacts

Special thanks to Climate Change Adaptation Expert Brian Sieben, and Permafrost Scientist Ashley Rudy. This session was full of great visuals and lots of information about how climate change is impacting the north. Learn about coastal erosion, forest fires, flooding, emergency planning, with a special focus on permafrost.

Watch Climate Action Training Session 2 – Northern Impacts

Session 3 – Community Action

Aklavik’s Senior Administrative Officer, Fred Berens, gave an excellent presentation about what Aklavik has done to help reduce the community energy use and tackle climate change mitigation. Noeline Villebrun talked about how important it is for northern youth to take climate action. To conclude the session, Craig Scott’s presented on the huge variety of ways northern communities can, and must, adapt to the changing climate.

Watch Climate Action Training Session 3 – Community Action

Session 4 – Climate Activism – February 5th, 2020

We will have three young climate activists sharing their stories on the front-line. Join Ella Kokelj, Daniel T’Seleie and Ellen Gillies as they document their experiences making change and highlight opportunities to get involved in climate action.

Watch Climate Action Training Session 4 – Climate Activism

Session 5 – Effective Communication – February 12th, 2020 at 6pm MST

Join APTN photojournalist, Charlotte Morrit- Jacobs, and Our Time’s Thomas Gagnon Van Leeuwin who will share with you media training and knowledge about how to amplify your message. As well as how to effectively communicate climate messaging.

Watch Climate Action Training Session 5 – Effective Communication

Session 6 – Northern Leadership – Feb 19th, 2020 at 6pm MST

This session brings a hopeful message of how the north can, and must, take an active leadership role in climate action. Dr. Courtney Howard (an internationally renowned climate and health advocate) and Jordan Peterson (the Deputy Grand Chief of the Gwich’in Tribal Council and an outspoken advocate for climate solutions led by youth) lead us on a journey to discover how the NWT can, and should, take a place in the international climate sphere.

Watch Climate Action Training Session 6 – Northern Leadership

Northern Backyard Farming Booklets

Small-scale agriculture is growing in popularity in the Northwest Territories, and residents have an increased appetite for clear and simple information on the topic. The importance of producing food locally is receiving more attention from government and residents as the costs of food transportation become a significant burden. Ecology North, with support from GNWT Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, created a series of booklets related to Northern Backyard Farming in the NWT as a starting point for residents to try their hand at local food production.

#1 Raising Chickens

More and more people are waking up to the joys of growing their own food. this guide is intended to illustrate the basics of raising chickens in your backyard. Chickens are fun, entertaining, great with kids and provide nutritious eggs and meat. This guide is the first in a series of booklets that Ecology North has developed about food in the NWT. Pick it up and give it a read; maybe chickens are your next step to eating more local healthy food grown right here in the NWT.

#2 Preserving Food

Preserving food is an age-old tradition. Freezing, drying, canning, jams and jellies, pickling, fermenting, and root cellaring are all great ways to store food from one season to the next. This guide is intended to provide some basic inspiration to preserve your own food. Preserving food can be fun, easy, interesting, and delicious. This guide is the second in a series of booklets that Ecology North has developed about food in the NWT. Pick it up and give it a read; maybe food preservation is your next step to eating more healthy and locally grown food in the NWT.

#3 Composting

Composting is a great way to keep organic materials out of the landfill. It is a fun, inexpensive and easy way to turn food and yard waste into a valuable, nutrient-rich soil conditioner. This guide is the third in a series of booklets that Ecology North has developed about food in the NWT. Pick it up and give it a read; maybe making your own compost is your next step to growing local and healthy food right here in the NWT!

#4 Soil Health

Growing food starts with healthy soil. There are a number of factors that can influence soil health including pH, moisture, structure, texture and nutrients. This guide is intended to provide basic information about building up and maintaining healthy soil. Understanding your soil’s health is an essential part of growing food. This guide is the fourth in a series of booklets that Ecology North has developed about food in the NWT. Pick it up and give it a read; maybe enhancing your soil’s health is your next step to growing your own food in the NWT.

#5 Spaces to Grow

Out in the yard, on the deck, or in your home, there are many ways to garden and use the space you have to grow your own food. This guide provides ideas and useful information to help grow good food in our rugged landscape and northern climate. Be inspired to find small, unusual spaces to grow in your backyard or patio. Pick it up and give it a read; it could be the inspiration you need to grow your own food in the NWT!

#6 Beekeeping

This guide is intended to illustrate the basics of backyard beekeeping in the Northwest Territories. Beekeeping is fun and requires minimal space. It can also be challenging. With a bit of patience and a lot of hard work, you can reap a sweet reward.

This guide also emphasizes our responsibility to nurture our native bee species and the steps we can all take to reduce threats to their health.

Northern Adaptation Guides

Adaptation guides for communities and individuals across the north. Available in English, French, Inuktitut (South Baffin dialect), and Inuinnaqtun.

Support for this work was provided by Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, the Standards Council of Canada, the Canadian Standards Association, and the Government of Nunavut.