Beyond our science
We believe the greatest impact arises when we break down barriers between silos and disciplines.
Interdisciplinary work
|
Flutterings by Valérie Chartrand. Artist residency showcase, Artengine, Ottawa, May 2025
|
|
|
Crossing Boundaries Symposium, University of Ottawa. May 2025. An interdisciplinary gathering of scientists, engineers, artists, students, and other knowledge-makers to break down disciplinary barriers and spark fresh ways of thinking, knowing, and acting on climate change.
See follow-up below. |
|
Media featuring our work
Radio
|
Our monarch-climate change experiment. CBC Ottawa morning. 30 August 2023.
Study investigates favoured fall menu of monarch butterflies. In Town and Out, CBC Radio. 10 September 2022. Why researchers are keeping tabs on European Common Blue butterfly. CBC Ottawa Morning Radio show. 21 July 2021. |
|
Print interviews
Monarch butterfly research at Fletcher Wildlife Garden studies impacts of climate change. By Nandy Heule. Winter 2024. Ottawa-Field Naturalists' Club.
Ontario praying mantises are moving further north. What does it mean for insect decline? Cottage Life, 19 July 2023.
Researchers probing the drinking habits of monarch butterflies that fuel an epic journey. Ottawa Citizen, 9 September 2022.
Global warming is mixing up nature's dinner time, study says. Associated Press, April 2018.
'Leads to a mismatch': Climate change may be putting the natural world out of synch. The Canadian Press, April 2018
Ontario praying mantises are moving further north. What does it mean for insect decline? Cottage Life, 19 July 2023.
Researchers probing the drinking habits of monarch butterflies that fuel an epic journey. Ottawa Citizen, 9 September 2022.
Global warming is mixing up nature's dinner time, study says. Associated Press, April 2018.
'Leads to a mismatch': Climate change may be putting the natural world out of synch. The Canadian Press, April 2018
Blogs
'Climate Rebels: Artist on the Frontlines of Change' challenges the status quo of climate crisis discussions. The Charlatan. 14 May 2024.
Butterflies plant preferences may be changing- and in an unexpected direction. Canadian Wildlife Federation. 25 May 2023
Butterflies plant preferences may be changing- and in an unexpected direction. Canadian Wildlife Federation. 25 May 2023
Public science
TV
Can we survive an insect crisis? The Agenda, TVO. November 2022
Articles
- Climate change means we may have to learn to live with invasive species. The Conversation Canada. 19 Sept 2024.
- Restoration in a changing world. By Katherine Peel. 3 December 2023. Ottawa-Field Naturalists' Club.
- Harnessing the power of practical science on climate. 7 July 2023. Hamilton Spectator.
- Why is Canada's largest butterfly, the Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes) moving northwards? Ontario Insects 28.2 (June 2023)
- Plain language summary for Foster et al. 2022: pdf
- Challenging the paradigm of non-native species. The Conversation Canada. 22 February 2023
- The role of non-native nectar in the diet of Monarch butterflies. Wild Pollinators Partners, 2 February 2023
- Does Hypena opulenta prefer DSV grown in the sun or does it thrive better on shade-grown plants? By Sharla Foster. Trail and Landscape Oct-Dec 2021. pg 170. Short summary: Ottawa Field Naturalists Club. 7 October 2019.
|
|
|
Public talks
- Bridging Science and Art. Creative Continuum conference. Rideau Rockcliffe CRC. 10 May 2024
- Bridging Art and Science to Foster Biodiversity Conservation. Sci_Art Symposium, Ottawa, ON. 6 April 2024
- The role of non-native plants in butterfly communities. North American Native Plant Society. Sept 19 2023
- Finding glimmers of hope in insect conservation in the face of climate change. BIMBY speaker series. David Suzuki Foundation, August 2023.
- A conversation with artist Valérie Chartrand about insect declines. Mentoring Artists for Women's Art, April 2023. Video
- Ontario Invasive Plant Council conference. January 2023.
- The role of non-native plants in the nectar diet of the monarch butterfly. Heather Kharouba
- Using invasion history to quantify equilibrium in over 250 invasive plant species in North America. Maisy Roach-Krajewski (Authors: M. Roach-Krajewski, H. Kharouba, T. Smith)
- Reconstructing the 130-year history of dog-strangling vine in North America. Tyler Smith (Authors: Sharla Foster, H. Kharouba, T. Smith)
- Toronto Entomologists' Association member's meeting. November 2022
- Mississippi Valley Field Naturalists member's meeting. Nature Talk. March 2022
Teaching
In Conservation Biology (BIO 3115) and Ecosystem Ecology (BIO 3117) we are working with external groups (e.g., Office of Campus Sustainability, City of Ottawa) to provide them with recommendations for the most effective conservation solutions to (i) mitigate threats to flora and fauna; and (ii) restore ecosystems. Students have contributed to the University's Nature Positive Pledge. Stay tuned for more results!
Upcoming talks and events
Follow-up from the Crossing Boundaries Symposium
Join the Conversation
Where: on Zoom - click here to register
When: Wednesday, June 18, 3PM - 4PM EDT
This is a chance to:
Join the Conversation
- We’ve set up a Google Group to keep ideas and connections flowing beyond the event. This is a low-volume list where we’ll share relevant opportunities, news, and occasional follow-ups from the symposium network. Join the Google Group
- We are also hosting the first casual 1-hour Boundary Crossing Drop-In to continue the conversations started at the symposium—whether you presented, attended the symposium, or just want to stay connected.
Where: on Zoom - click here to register
When: Wednesday, June 18, 3PM - 4PM EDT
This is a chance to:
- Discuss what equitable collaboration looks like, how to resource it, and how to move beyond transactional relationships.
- Share what’s bubbled up in your own work or community since the gathering.
- Help us figure out if there’s value in keeping this conversation going—maybe as a monthly or bi-monthly check-in, an informal community of practice, or something we build together.
- No agenda, no slides—just a space to reconnect, reflect, and shape what might come next.
