Queen’s University Biological Station, Ontario

Where education meets conservation

The Queen’s University Biological Station (QUBS) is a globally unique research and teaching facility located in southeastern Ontario. The station occupies more than 3400 hectares and is home to a wide variety of habitats, including mature second-growth forests, lands previously used for farming, wetlands, lakes, and streams, which support species that are typical of both the Canadian Shield and the Great Lakes Basin. For many of these species, the conservation value of the QUBS property is substantial.

QUBS offers a range of educational programs, including undergraduate and graduate courses, field courses, and workshops. Researchers at QUBS focus on a variety of topics, including ecology, evolution, biodiversity, conservation biology, and environmental science. In addition to its research and educational programs, QUBS is committed to promoting environmental stewardship and sustainability and engaging in public outreach.

QUBS’ efforts to support their education and research programs ensures that the property is managed in ways consistent with biodiversity conservation.

Download the PDF information sheet.

How do we know that the Queen's University Biological Station is an OECM?

Does the property have a defined geographical space?

Yes! The boundaries of the QUBS property are well identified and can be accurately placed on a map.

Is there an effective way of ensuring that biodiversity will continue to be conserved into the future?

Yes! As the landowner for QUBS, Queen’s University has the responsibility and authority to make decisions about the site and how it’s managed. Since QUBS supports many programs, students and researchers working in environmental fields, sustaining the biodiversity at the biological station is essential to the ongoing operations of QUBS.

Is there an expectation that the biodiversity on the site will be conserved for the long term?

Yes! There is no intention to change or remove the site, so the biodiversity on QUBS is expected to remain conserved to help QUBS meet its education and research needs for the future. QUBS has also partnered with the Nature Conservancy of Canada and local land trusts to conserve additional adjoining lands, which will further support biodiversity in the area.

Is biodiversity conservation the primary objective of the area?

No – and that’s okay! The purpose of QUBS is research and education, but they meet their programming needs in a way that provides protection for the ecosystems, habitats, and species on their property.

Is biodiversity on the site conserved?

Yes! While the site is managed as a university research and teaching facility, the nature of the activities on the site mean that biodiversity is also conserved.

Quick tip!

If the answer to the question “is biodiversity conservation the primary objective of the area?” was “yes” the area would likely be assessed as a protected area instead of an OECM. Both types of areas are important, and both achieve biodiversity conservation.

Tagged Academic, BC, OECM, private