Whitehorse is said to be a “a small city with a big back yard” except its back yard happens to be a wilderness and its residents get advice on living with neighbouring bears, cougars, foxes, coyotes, and other like animals.

Conservation biologist Alberto Suarez-Esteban, the guest speaker for the MFNC’s November 5 meeting, got to know Whitehorse as a post-doctorate fellow at Yukon College starting in 2014. Through a project where he studied the forces behind carnivore behaviour, he became known as a “peacekeeper” between carnivores and people (Yukon News). The ultimate goal was to reduce human-wildlife conflicts and improve carnivore conservation.

“Along the way, we learned fascinating things about many wildlife species and their interactions with each other, with people, and with the environment,” says Suarez-Esteban.

One outcome was a system of protected linear corridors of open space, managed for conservation and recreation purposes.

Closer to home

Applying sustainable “ground level” conservation to his property outside Pakenham, Suarez-Estevan is turning a hay field into a productive and regenerative farm — Nature’s Apprentice Farm. Come January, he’ll resume teaching “Ecosystem and Environmental Change” at Ottawa’s Carleton University.

Don’t miss: Not so alone in the wild

When: Tuesday, November 5, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Arnprior Curling Club, 15 Galvin Street, Arnprior

Cost: Meetings (and presentations) are free for Club members and $5 for guests.

Guests are welcome at this and every meeting of the Macnamara Club.

Find more information on the Club and its activities at mfnc.ca