Dr. Ryan Norris, a biology professor in the College of Biological Science, spoke with The Globe and Mail about a new initiative to buy up private land around 10 national parks for conservation efforts.

The plan’s aim is to broaden the reach of some of Canada’s parks to nearby areas and increasing ecological connectivity for species at risk.

“If you can increase the amount of protected area around [national parks], or restore areas to add to the total, I think that’s all a positive,” Norris commented.

A professor in the Department of Integrative Biology, Norris researches the behaviour, conservation and evolution of migratory birds, insects and mammals.