Jean Polfus

PhD Ecologist w/ @environmentca | @LiberEroFellows | @Wilburforce | caribou conservation, Indigenous knowledge, sciart. Mom to three kiddos. Tweets my own.

[NA Caribou Workshop & Arctic Ungulate Conference @nacw_auc_2023]

None of us would be here without the work of our predecessors and colleagues. Please take a few minutes to read about some of our friends and mentors who have passed on in recent years. “On the Shoulders of Giants” is downstairs near the Endeavor room.

[Jean Polfus @JeanPolfus]

I am so grateful to help start some of the tough discussions we need to have on renaming caribou populations and subspecies. @nacw_auc_2023

[Kate Broadley @kate_sciart]

Excited for this morning's plenary in Bridging Indigenous and Western Knowledge in Ungulate Management! #NACWAUC2023

[Kate Broadley @kate_sciart]

Excellent talk by Jean Polfus is a fitting follow-up to today's plenary. Time to rethink eponymous caribou names with racist legacies. Uplifting Indigenous Knowledges through in-depth language work and revitalization is a key step #NACWAUC2023

[Clayton Lamb @ClaytonTLamb]

10/ Landscapes that work for caribou are secure

In 2020, a landmark Partnership Agreement was signed between BC, CAN, and the Nations. The agreement protects nearly 8,000 https://t.co/u5E0Ql4WSh of caribou habitat. Over 80% of Klinse-Za is protected, up from <2%.

[Clayton Lamb @ClaytonTLamb]

9/ Tripling in a decade.

These Indigenous-led recovery actions stimulated unprecedented population growth, with the herd tripling in under a decade. 114 as of last week, up from only 38 in 2013 🎉🎉. This isn't it though, there's more good news. About habitat and stewardship 🌱

[Clayton Lamb @ClaytonTLamb]

11/ Why did caribou thrive here but not elsewhere?

Many aspects: multiple recovery efforts is helpful, do all you can. Indigenous-led conservation mobilized a group of people who loved the land, caribou, and their communities, who exercised their rights. Collaboration was key.

[Clayton Lamb @ClaytonTLamb]

17/ Infographic of the work

I will create another thread to celebrate this work of art, co-produced by @kate_sciart @FuseKnowledge and Saulteau First Nations artist, Brandon Cameron. But wanted you to see it here too!

[Clayton Lamb @ClaytonTLamb]

This is the most important work of my career & why I'm hopeful for the future

Southern mtn caribou are endangered & could be lost in our generation. Not accepting that fate, 2 First Nations began an ambitious recovery effort & did the impossible

Thread👇
https://t.co/1D7PxxJRUf

[Eddie Petryshen @eddie_petryshen]

A few days ago on a snowy November afternoon I visited an old haunt in the South Purcell Mtns. A place where you could almost always find caribou sign in the early winter.

Extinction is silent.

A thread on caribou, extinction, loss, and hope (1 of many).

Photo: Art Twomey

[Jean Polfus @JeanPolfus]

@commnatural @ashadevos @eaweinberg Castleden et al. 2012 “I spent the first year drinking tea”: Exploring Canadian university researchers' perspectives on community‐based participatory research involving Indigenous peoples - might be a good one, though I haven't read it for a while.

[Amy Romer @AmyRomer]

I love this story by @JeanPolfus.💚 What spiders can teach us about ecology https://t.co/5HkndTbwUA

[Jean Polfus @JeanPolfus]

@SaveWildBees @CanEntomologist Congrats!

[Jean Polfus @JeanPolfus]

@ZoeSTodd I heard you while driving to do errands today and had to stay in my car to hear your entire interview once I reached my destination! I really appreciated how you wove social justice issues into all your answers. 👍

[Jean Polfus @JeanPolfus]

@adamTford Just hopeful I might be able to see my family again sometime this calendar year.

[Jean Polfus @JeanPolfus]

@adamTford But also this when it means that almost my entire extended family over 40 yrs (and a few younger!) have now received both doses! Including my dad who, today, is 2 weeks past his 2nd shot! Yay!

[Jean Polfus @JeanPolfus]

@MelanieDickie @SophieLGilbert @RyanKBrook @ABbiodiversity @lfinnegal I really hate it when reindeer are drawn with deer or elk antlers... Grrrrrr.

[Jean Polfus @JeanPolfus]

@MelanieDickie @SophieLGilbert @RyanKBrook @ABbiodiversity @lfinnegal Well, I have seen caribou antlers without a shovel - though they do need to have the front tines that go over the forehead.

[Jean Polfus @JeanPolfus]

@Aerin_J So sorry Aerin. 😞

[Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez @AOC]

Incredibly powerful, must-watch moment.

Thank you, @esglaude.