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The “Breathing Lands” is the term used by the Omushkegowuk Cree, whose homeland is the Hudson Bay Lowlands, because of the vital importance of that ecosystem to planetary health and wellbeing.
We have done a couple of events focused on the Problem and Promise of Peat. The meetings started with a screening of the 2023 film The Breathing Lands by the Water Brothers, along with short videos about the science and possible actions people can take. Together, the films explore the global significance of peatlands as a carbon sink, sustaining a rich and unique range of habitats and species across the world...
Globally, despite covering around 3% of the planet's land surface, peatlands contain up to one-third of the world's soil carbon, which is twice the amount of carbon found in the world's forests. Canada is home to a quarter of global peatlands, which cover 12% of our land area, and are one of the planet’s largest carbon stores.
Ontario’s Hudson Bay Lowlands is the second largest peatlands complex in the world, covering over 300,000 sq. km. Aside from carbon storage, peat is known as the kidneys of the planet, filtering vast amounts of water, and is vitally important for migratory bird breeding and keystone species like caribou.
Our peatlands are threatened by mining, development, and agriculture, as well as the extraction of peat for garden potting soil. Without knowing it, gardeners may be contributing to the loss of these critically important ecosystems.
The Problem and Promise of Peat events created an opportunity for gardeners, landscapers, outdoor enthusiasts and individuals looking to make a difference in the climate crisis to learn more about our precious peatlands. They included engaging group discussions and a panel of expert speakers who shared information on alternatives to peat in gardening, as well as solutions and actions people can take to protect peatlands.
The speakers engaged in a stimulating conversation with the participants, expertly facilitated by Duncan Holmes. Our first event in March was successful and well attended, despite the winter’s only real snowstorm. The second was held in June, and more are planned for the fall. Stay tuned!
See our peatlands solution page, with lots of links to more information and actions you can take.
As Conservation Director for Wildlands League for over two decades, Anna has worked with Indigenous leaders, governments, industry and communities to protect Canada’s incredible ecosystems and to co-create solutions for people and the planet. She holds a Master’s degree in York University’s Environmental Studies Program and a Hon. B.Sc. in Biology. From McMaster University. Her passion for conservation was sparked at a national park in Georgian Bay where she studied spotted turtles and reptiles. She is currently working on two Indigenous Protected Areas in northern Ontario (the North French Watershed with Moose Cree First Nation and in Fawn River Watershed with Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninwug). She is leading new exciting work in Hudson Bay to establish national marine conservation areas in the world’s largest inland sea, as well as helping to safeguard the Hudson Bay Lowland, one of the world’s most important terrestrial carbon stores, which includes the area known as Ring of Fire.
Jonas reimagined the landscaping business when he founded Ecoman with the goal of prioritizing climate change in the context of people’s outdoor spaces. He taps into nature’s potential to help people realize their design dreams while expressing their ecological values.For five years he was president of the Toronto Chapter of Landscape Ontario and remains deeply involved with the province’s primary horticultural trade organization. He’s also active with Design Climate Action, a group of landscape professionals interested in integrating climate considerations into their work. He holds a B.Sc. in Agroecology from the University of British Columbia. Ecoman offers a wide variety of landscaping services for personal properties, commercial and public projects, working with nature to enhance habitat for wildlife and improve the value of land. Jonas uses ecological references to explore innovative solutions to green roofs and other landscaping challenges. He established the Toronto Plant Market to help homeowners access quality local native plants, as well as the Toronto Seed Orchard to make native plant species more accessible to landscape professionals in the GTA.
Jocelyn is passionate about finding and implementing solutions to the planet’s most pressing environmental issues. She holds a Master’s degree in Applied Environmental Science and Management from Ryerson University and has more than a decade of experience in waste management, sustainability and regenerative growing. Jocelyn is the founder of Wastenot Farms, which creates high value soil additives from waste, including worm manure, living potting soil, and activated and inoculated biochar. She provides Canadians with regenerative growing tools that nurture healthy, thriving plants while reducing waste to landfill, sequestering carbon in soil, and growing Canada's circular economy. Jocelyn’s Soil Booster products supply natural microbes that kickstart the soil’s living ecosystem, delivering on-demand nutrients to ensure plants flourish and thrive all season long.
