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Summer 2025 |
Newsletter Archive |
Executive Director's Message |  |
To kick off the summer Miistakis spent a day in the field as part of our annual staff retreat checking in on the beaver dam analogues (BDAs) that were installed by our Working with Beavers collaborative at the Ann and Sandy Cross Conservation Area last fall. The BDAs are holding up well and over time will restore and maintain a healthy, self-sustaining wetland and stream ecosystem by mimicking the natural functions of beaver activity - and with any luck some resident beavers will move in and take over the BDAs. Nature-based solutions are vital tools for addressing environmental challenges because they work with natural processes to deliver benefits for both ecosystems and communities. At the Miistakis Institute, we prioritize nature-based approaches to conservation because they are inherently adaptive, cost-effective, and sustainable over the long term. Whether it's using beaver mimicry to restore wetlands, protecting habitat connectivity to support wildlife movement, or maintaining natural floodplains to reduce disaster risk, these solutions harness the resilience of nature itself. By focusing on strategies that align with ecological functions, Miistakis helps land managers and decision-makers implement conservation actions that are grounded in science and built to last. Last month Miistakis attended the 11th annual Kainai Ecosystem Protection Association (KEPA) Summit. The Summit consisted of three days of learning from Indigenous Knowledge Keepers and Elders and highlighted the intrinsic connection between nature, cultural practices, human health and environmental sustainability. Congratulations to KEPA for an inspiring and successful summit. You can learn more about KEPA here. 
Danah Duke, Executive Director | |