Partnerships for Applied Research Centre

Facilitating locally led habitat and wildlife stewardshiP

The Partnerships for Applied Research Centre bridges scientific knowledge with local and Indigenous knowledge to enable on-the-ground action to benefit habitat and wildlife. Working collaboratively with Indigenous Communities, government, and industry, PARC mobilizes research, monitoring, and implementation work in support of biodiversity and responsible land stewardship, connecting the science produced across Biodiversity Pathways’ centres to the partners and communities where it matters most.

What we do

Our work focuses on three core areas:

Research and Monitoring Implementation

Support with study design, capacity support and training for habitat and wildlife monitoring

Engagement Support

Facilitate knowledge exchange of western science and Local and Indigenous Knowledge

Capacity Support

Provide strategic planning, project management, and collaboration support across partners to support research and habitat stewardship

Why it matters

The most important research supports decision-making to make tangible changes for habitat and wildlife and builds on the past experience, knowledge, and values of Local and Indigenous Communities.

Mapping Ecological Corridors

Mapping Ecological Corridors: Braiding Knowledge for Conservation in Secwepemcúĺecw

The Mapping Ecological Corridors Project is a collaborative initiative focused on identifying and conserving key wildlife movement corridors within Secwepemcúĺecw.

By integrating Local and Indigenous Knowledge with western science, the project is taking a “walking-on-two-legs” approach to conservation, recognizing the strengths of both knowledge systems and working together for long-term ecosystem resilience.

Corridor Development

Collaborative Efforts Strengthen Wildlife, Ecosystem, and Community Resilience

With support from the Thompson-Nicola Conservation Collaborative (TNCC) and Biodiversity Pathways, seven First Nation communities in Secwepemcúĺecw are advancing the ecological corridor project within their territories by completing Ecological Corridor Action Frameworks summarizing their corridor’s significance, current pressures, and priority actions to support long-term stewardship.

Corridor Development
Corridors were identified to support wildlife movement, species recovery, habitat restoration, and ecosystem connectivity. Conservation planning is guided by both Local and Indigenous Knowledge and western science, ensuring that First Nations ownership and sensitive information are respected throughout. Connectivity models were developed by PARC combining current habitat and wildlife data with future climate predictions to highlight key potential areas for wildlife. Through workshops and discussions, Communities helped refine data, drawing on recent and historical understanding of seasonal cycles, species behaviour, and ecosystem relationships.

Project outputs have many practical applications and can be used by all First Nation partners:

– Land and resource management planning
– Wildlife conservation and management
– Cultural heritage protection
– Addressing cumulative effects
– Informing policy and industry practices
– Responding to referral applications

Community Based Habitat Restoration

Community Based Habitat Restoration: Bringing a Culturally Important Landscape Back into Balance

The Wigwam Flats Ecosystem Enhancement Project brings together a broad set of partners to help return…

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Camera Deployment to Understand Caribou

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Our Team

The PARC team includes a diverse team with backgrounds in western science, strategy planning, project management, and Indigenous land stewardship. Our team seeks to reflect the community partners we support.

Peter Baker

Community Science Project Lead
Jo-Anne Hales

Community Engagement Project Lead
Todd Penke

Director, Partnerships for Applied Research Centre

Resources and updates

Connections: community newsletter- issue 2

Explore a new way to navigate the funding landscape. We know that identifying the right resources—from habitat restoration to species at risk recovery to improving community infrastructure—is a vital
part of our shared role as caretakers and stewards of the land.

Connections: community newsletter – issue 1

We highlight some of the exciting initiatives underway, share upcoming opportunities, and celebrate the strength of the relationships that guide our work. Connect, reflect, and keep up to date on the work we’re doing together across the country.

Volunteers team up to restore wildlife habitat at Wigwam Flats

Highlighting our work and partnerships

Who We Are

Connect