We sometimes use technical language to explain the work we do. We have put together definitions and terminology to increase the understanding of conservation, and the language we use.

Aquatic: living organisms that live and grow in water.

Biodiversity: the variety of life on Earth, encompassing the different species, their genetic variations, and the ecosystems they inhabit, all of which are interconnected and crucial for maintaining a healthy planet. Higher biodiversity means more species are present.

Conservation/Ecological Corridor: A strip of land or water designed to connect two or more areas of habitat, allowing for the movement of species and the flow of ecological processes. These terrestrial (land) and aquatic (water) spaces are important for maintaining, or restoring, ecological connectivity. 

Ecological Connectivity: the unimpeded movement of species and the flow of natural processes that sustain life on Earth.

Herbaceous: plants that do no have any woody stems.

Keystone species: species that define the mature ecosystem of an area. These species often have specific growing conditions that are not met immediately following disturbance events (like an ice storm).

Pioneer species: the first species to recolonize an area after disturbance such as flooding or fire. These species often grow easily and have few requirements.

Riparian: The transitional area between aquatic and terrestrial habitats such as streambanks, and lake shorelines. The distances from water that encompass a riparian area can vary depending on habitat, but are often used by wildlife to move through the landscape. 

Succession: the process of natural ecosystem change that begins with the growth and establishment of pioneer species that provide the conditions needed for species that have additional requirements (like shade or soil nutrients) and cannot grow until those conditions occur.

Terrestrial: Living organisms that live and grow on land. 

Zone of Influence: The distance of impacts from human activities on ecological systems, including the time it takes for that impact to dissipate. (example: a person hiking quietly may cause a red fox 100m away to stop it’s normal activity 5 minutes before you walk bast that location and up to 10 minutes after you have left. The zone of impact becomes wider and lasts for longer if the activity is more disturbing to wildlife like a bigger group of people, someone hiking with a dog, an ATV or dirt bike.)