About Us
What is a Biosphere Region?
Biosphere Regions integrate three main “functions”:
- Conservation of biodiversity and cultural diversity
- Economic development that is socio-culturally and environmentally sustainable
- Logistic support, underpinning development through research, monitoring, education and training
These three functions are pursued through the Biosphere Reserves’ three main zones
About the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Region
The Frontenac Arch Biosphere
The Frontenac Arch Biosphere Region is situated on the homelands of the Haudenosaunee (Kanienʼkehá꞉ka) and Anishinaabeg (Algonquin) people. We are grateful for and acknowledge the generations of Indigenous peoples who have taken care of this land, and who have ongoing and historic connection with this land. Today, the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Region is still home to many First Nations and Metis people, and we are grateful to have an opportunity to continue stewardship on this land.
About the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Network
The Frontenac Arch Biosphere is administered by the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Network – a not-for-profit organization consisting of a small team of dedicated staff and a broader network of organizations and local communities working together to promote the sustainable development of the region by sharing information, knowledge and best practices.
The Frontenac Arch Biosphere Network’s work is guided by our Interim Strategic Plan (January 2025 – December 2026)
Our Values
1. Collaboration
2. Respect
3. Persistence
4. Inclusivity
5. Accountability
Our Vision
People and nature living in balance in the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Region, where the natural environment and communities are resilient, sustained and celebrated.
Our Mission
To nurture healthy landscapes and vibrant communities by delivering programs, cultivating networks, and connecting people with nature.
Our Staff
Shannon Lem
Executive Director
Leila Vaziri Zanjani
Conservation Specialist
Christine Grossutti
Conservation Project Manager
Christine wrote her PhD thesis about the Biosphere regions in Canada. She enjoys helping out on her partner’s maple syrup farm in springtime and following her kid through the woods all year round.
Victoria Renner
Youth Climate Action Summit Program Manager
Victoria appreciates the small things in life… especially if they have 6 or more legs! Victoria loves hiking, camping and paddling in the Biosphere, and trying to identify what she sees.
Deborah D'Amico
Senior Development Lead
Deborah has a life long connection to nature and the environment. Over the last two decades, she has worked in communications and fundraising. She has art and art history degrees from the University of Toronto and the University of St Andrews, Scotland.
Kim Chamberlain
Nature Camp & Education Manager
Kim grew up on the shores of Georgian Bay, sparking her lifelong passion for nature. She has a diploma in Outdoor Adventure Education and has spent her career teaching and guiding in the backcountry of Northern Ontario and British Columbia. You can find her paddling, camping and hiking every chance she gets.
Becky Lamb
Communications & Outreach Coordinator
Becky is a nature nerd through and through that loves to create opportunities for people to get outside in their own neighbourhood. She/they have worked in community and destination development for 12+ years, including roles with Evergreen Canada, Toronto Botanical Gardens, and Prince Edward County.
Savanah Müller
Ecological Corridors Project Coordinator
With a love for the outdoors, Savanah enjoys hiking, swimming and capturing the beauty of nature through painting and drawing. She has gained valuable experience working collaboratively with Kluane First Nation – building meaningful relationships, and contributing to community-based environmental research projects.
Board Of Directors
Katherine Macklem Chair, Treasurer
Helen Anne Hudson Secretary, Past-Chair
Alan Whyte Director
Rick Boychuk Director
Jim Delaney Director
Lindsey Dickie Director
Katrina Furlanetto Director
Katrina Furlanetto is the Manager, Funding – Adaptation in Action which supports the development and implementation of the Local Leadership for Climate Adaptation program within the Green Municipal Fund at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. As the past General Manager for Cataraqui Conservation, she has worked within the environmental sector for over 10 years specializing in aquatic health, field work, strategic leadership, and climate change adaptation, and brings experience of working with non-profit governance.
Deb Lace-Kelly Director
Claire Beach Director
Claire is a Certified Nature & Forest Therapy Guide. Over the past 6 years she has guided 100s of people on Forest Bathing walks and Nature Immersion experiences. Claire’s passion is to bring Humans & Nature back into balance so that we all thrive. She holds an inclusive and open space that welcomes everyone as they are. She is also an Architectural Designer, Reiki Practitioner and Nature Rooted Life Coach. Nature Therapy is the centre of her self care and community work.
Annette Borger-Snel Director
Having educated and mentored thousands of communications professionals, Annette has been on the leading edge of innovative, strategic, and memorable stories and events for over 20 years. She has a global perspective, a commitment to meaningful communications, and an entrepreneurial drive rooted in helping others achieve success. Her ability to build authentic relationships enables her to create positive change and amplify voices needing to be heard in the world. She is an award-winning educator currently heading one of Canada’s leading PR training programs at Toronto’s Humber College and is honoured to be serving on the board of FABN.
Robert Taylor Director
Dr. Robert Taylor’s career spans more than 40 years with a focus on environmental and natural resource management and strategic planning, along with extensive executive experience. Much of his time was spent with the Province of Ontario including roles as the
Director of Lands and Waters for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Assistant Deputy Minister positions with the Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs and the Ministry of Research and Innovation. He was also the CEO of the Institute of Public Administration of
Canada (IPAC) leading research and training across Canada and
internationally.
Ken Foster Director
Ken is a passionate advocate for community connection and innovative thinking, dedicated to creating meaningful opportunities for collaboration and growth. With over 25 years of experience in business strategy, marketing, and community development, Ken has worked with organizations like The CAF, Scholastics, Tourism Kingston, and Entrepreneurial Social Programs, focusing on building impactful partnerships and sustainable initiatives.
Susan Masswohl Director
Having grown up in Kingston, and now retired in the FAB Region near Verona, Ontario, Susan lives on a large pioneer farm property, with pastures, forests, ponds and granite outcrops. She enjoys gardening, managing orchards of fruit and nut trees, and helping her husband with two cottage properties and a large maple sugar bush nearby. She had a lengthy career with the Federal Government in Ottawa at the Departments of Natural Resources and Environment and Climate Change, and in the United States at the Embassy of Canada in Washington, D.C. Susan also worked in conservation research at the Canadian Wildlife Federation, a national, not-for-profit charitable organization.
Robert Taylor Director
Dr. Robert Taylor’s career spans more than 40 years with a focus on environmental and natural resource management and strategic planning, along with extensive executive experience. Much of his time was spent with the Province of Ontario including roles as the
Director of Lands and Waters for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Assistant Deputy Minister positions with the Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs and the Ministry of Research and Innovation. He was also the CEO of the Institute of Public Administration of
Canada (IPAC) leading research and training across Canada and
internationally.
Ken Foster Director
Ken is a passionate advocate for community connection and innovative thinking, dedicated to creating meaningful opportunities for collaboration and growth. With over 25 years of experience in business strategy, marketing, and community development, Ken has worked with organizations like The CAF, Scholastics, Tourism Kingston, and Entrepreneurial Social Programs, focusing on building impactful partnerships and sustainable initiatives.
Do you have a passion for nature conservancy and sustainable development? Inquire about Board positions with the Frontenac Arch Biosphere by emailing us at info@fabn.ca
Our Local Network
- Algonquin to Adirondacks
- Brockville Hiking Club
- Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority
- Champlain-Adirondack Biosphere Reserve
- Charleston Lake Association
- Friends of Charleston Lake Park
- Friends of Frontenac Park
- Frontenac Arch Biosphere Foundation
- Hike it Baby - Brockville
- Kingston Field Naturalists
Our Global Network
The Frontenac Arch Biosphere is part of a broad global network of over 700 UNESCO sites in more than 130 countries. Within that global context, the Canadian Network of UNESCO Biosphere Regions, consists of 19 sites, situated within the traditional territories of over 50 Indigenous Nations.
Each UNESCO Biosphere Region contains inspiring, globally unique and biodiverse ecosystems, conserved by a locally-appropriate, inclusive approach to Sustainable Development.
The knowledge acquired from each endeavour across the network is shared among other UNESCO Biosphere Regions in Canada, and also among sites across the world network.
Altogether, Canadian Biospheres span over 235,000 km2 and conserve both the long-term health of the environment as well as the quality of life for 2.3 million Canadians.
